| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Convenor: | |
| Venue: | Out and About |
The Wellbeing with Nature group is now established and aims to meet monthly. As you can see below we have had a variety of experiences which have been thoroughly enjoyed by those attending. We are indebted to the groups and organisations who have hosted us.
Days and times will vary according to our hosts availability so the group is larger than places available. Places at a meeting are allocated on a first come first served basis. If members can't attend and inform the convenor the place will be then offered to the next on the meeting waiting list.
As each site and meeting theme varies the convenor will always email attending members information regarding location, risks, toilet facilities and what to bring etc.. These emails have been know to go into junk folders so please check here as the date gets closer. Please ensure that these are read before the day to ensure enjoyment of our meetings.
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Making Botanical Prints
Incredible Edibles Wildlife GArden
14th May 2026
We were lucky with the weather today in the wildlife garden. The weather forecast made out it was going to be a washout but the sun shone for the nine members of the group. After an introduction by Tina most of the group had a go at making botanical prints with Gelli plates. Others investigated the garden identifying a variety of species using the iSeek App.
After the activities we enjoyed some chat and refreshments. We had Melting Moments made by Catherine and Marmalade tea loaf by Tina. Many thanks to Incredible Edible Leeds and Garforth for their continuing support allowing us to use their site. We are looking forward to being back soon.
Find the link for Melting Moments recipe below. The link for the Marmalade Loaf recipe can be found on our very first post about Hapazome at Eco Friendly Garforth.
Apple Blossom at the Growing Zone, Kippax
21st April 2026
Our latest visit to the orchard at the Growing Zone, Kippax was to celebrate apple blossom.
Last August we went there to make juice with the 2025 bumper apple harvest. In this visit we were able to see the blossom. It was touch and go whether it would be in bloom, luckily some warmer days brought it on just in time. We also took inspiration from the Japanese Spring celebration of Sakura when families and friends celebrate the cherry blossom, renewal, beauty and the transience of life by having an picnic under the blossom in public parks and gardens.
We started with a chat about the work of the Growing Zone and Sakura. Blessed with sunshine we were able to do our blossom drawing and painting activities. Some group members were more confident but everyone did some mindful sketching of the blossom. Then we found our inner child painting with our fingers and sticks to capture the apple blossom. We concluded our celebration of blossom chatting whilst enjoying tea, coffee or water and a piece of cherry and almond cake.
We were so busy and the time flew I didn’t manage to take any action photos. Please enjoy the blossom and some of our art work.
The Growing Zone gave us another friendly welcome and we are grateful for their continuing support.
Lotherton Hall - Florence Nightingale
26th Mar 2026
Twelve members met at Lotherton today. After a confusing start due to maintenance on the Lotherton access road we were all ready for a fascinating talk with Stephanie Davies the Community Curator. We were welcomed into the servants hall and started the session with tea, coffee and cake.
Stephanie’s talk explained the relationship between Florence and the family at Lotherton. The letters and diaries now held at Lotherton show Florence grew up in an extended loving family with access to nature for play and a strong sense of social justice. As a determined woman at a time when women had little power she became influential in nursing and the design of hospitals including LGI, which incorporated hygiene measures and access to nature. Florence made good relationships with influential men of her generation, including Charles Dickens. She was adept at maths and presented statistical evidence which changed prevailing opinions and improved health outcomes.
The Nightingale exhibition in the servants hall includes references to her interest in plants and nature. After the talk the group visited the Botanically Beautiful exhibition and then had more drinks in the servants hall with our packed lunches. Those with time further explored nature around the Lotherton estate.
It was a great morning and we are very appreciative of the staff at Lotherton making us feel so welcome.
Templenewsam searching for snowdrops 5th Feb 2026
Eleven members braved the cold and damp for a short walk around Temple Newsam.
We were on a quest to find snowdrops and whilst searching were also having go at identifying winter trees using twig ID sheets produced by the Woodland Trust. We also looked at phone apps and for other evidence like for remnant leaves, flowers and seeds to help with identification. Being a park not all the trees are indigenous species so sometimes we were outwitted.
Walking by the lakes we were surprised by the variety of wildfowl. Along with the usual suspects, Mallard ducks were moorhens, Merganser ducks, a grey heron and an egret. We finally found some rather small snowdrops near at the back of the courtyard buildings before going for a well deserved hot drink.
We all enjoyed the company, chat and fresh air benefiting from the wellbeing being in nature brings.
St Aidan's - Plant and Bird Identification
6th January 2026
The group met on a very cold day, so we had to be careful on the icy paths. Tina introduced two Apps useful for plant and bird ID. The Seek by Naturalist app is great for plant ID even in the winter. The Merlin app can be used to identify bird song. We heard a Cetti’s Warbler, a Robin and a Reed Bunting. A couple of the group brought their binoculars and Marion helped members spot and identify birds. Birds we saw included a Little Owl, a couple of kestrels, a grebe, pochard, mallard and tufted ducks and lots of coots. Bowers Lake was almost frozen over so swimming birds had limited space. There was lots of friendly chat around the lake which continued when we had much needed hot drinks in the Little Owl Café.
Wreaths - Making and Meanings
4th December 2025
The Wellbeing with Nature group were due to meet at Incredible Edible’s Wildlife Garden on Thursday 4.12.25. On Wednesday the forecast for the 4th was for torrential rain and Tina considered cancelling. Eco-Friendly Garforth saved the day as they have shelters on their community garden site. We are so grateful for the support both these local groups have given to this u3a group. On Wednesday afternoon Tina and Ian collected the willow that had been soaking in the wildlife garden pond so it could mellow overnight.
Thursday wasn’t as wet in the morning as expected so we were able to have a great session with everyone making beautiful unique wreaths. Everyone contributed to the wreath making materials. At times it was a very calm and quiet session as everyone concentrated on their wreath making.
We also learnt about the history of wreaths from ancient honours, to celebrations of the circle of life and how Christianity adapted old traditions giving them new symbolic meanings.
Ian supplied us with hot drinks including tea, coffee and non-alcoholic winter punch to keep us warm. We had mini stollens and Ian cooked filo mincemeat triangles served with orange mascarpone (see recipe below). They were delicious.
One of the meanings of a wreath on your door is to welcome the spirit of Christmas and this enjoyable friendly session certainly did that.”
Fire at Forest School-Great Preston Primary School
13th October 2025
Eight members attended our recent meeting in a real Forest School setting. Fire is a characteristic of Forest School practice so meeting here gave us the opportunity to; consider firelighting techniques, have a walk in the wood to collect kindling and light a variety of tinders with a Swedish fire steel. We sat around the fire circle for a chat, enjoyed a hot drink, cheese and biscuits supplied by Steffi and chocolate blackcurrant cake baked by Tina. To conclude our session Ian demonstrated making fire with a fire bow and using a flint and iron striker. Everyone enjoyed the session and in Steffi’s words,
“We added sparkle to a dull day.”
"Stone Soup" at Incredible Edible's Wildlife Garden in Garforth
23rd Sept 2025
Twelve members of the group, Tina, Ian, Linda, Jo. Steffi, Chrissy, Kate, Cynthia, Catherine, Marion, Sharon and Mauren explored the wildlife garden and found out more about Incredible Edible from our host Joy.
Tina told the traditional European Tale of Stone Soup which tells of strangers coming to a village and making soup with a magic stone. The villagers all share some vegetables and herbs with the strangers and add them to the soup. The strangers share their delicious meal and the villagers find the magic is not in the stone but in sharing and coming together in a community.
Everyone in the group bought some vegetables or herbs and we made two "Stone" soups, a dark soup with Italian herbs and a lighter soup with sweetcorn 2 ways. As the soups cooked the group had tea and coffee with banana cake made by Sharon - see recipe below. At the end of the session the delicious soups were shared for lunch.
Another great session blessed with sunshine.
Making Apple Juice at The Growing Zone, Kippax - 27th Aug. 2025
The Wellbeing with Nature group had a great time at the Growing Zone. The Growing Zone is a community allotment project supporting Adults and Children with and without special needs, planting the seeds of friendship. It is both award winning and awe inspiring. Our hosts June and Ebony looked after us and even provided us with lunch. We set up in the orchard to prepare apples for an apple press which proved to be very hard work. Experts will know that the apples need to be macerated but unfortunately we didn't have that technology so chopped furiously instead. People power provided us with a half litre of juice and we all had a tiny taste. It was delicious. After lunch in the beautiful garden we watched a presentation made by Tony our webmaster about the work and environment of the Growing Zone. Attending were Janet, Kate, Julie, Catherine, Glenda, Sharon, Marion, Dave, Ian, (Ted), Tina and Tony, a friend of the Growing Zone, who took the photos. All were enthusiastic about taking part in a fun event in such a special place.
Herd Farm Residential & Activity Centre 8th Aug 2025
“The Wellbeing with Nature Group held their 2nd meeting at Herd Farm Residential and Activity Centre, Eccup in the roundhouse enclosure. Although the houses are Iron Age reconstructions we concentrated on the use of natural materials in the Stone Age. We started with a tree talk followed by a quiet walk to the roundhouses concentrating on our senses.
When we reached the roundhouse enclosure Ian did a Stone Age tool talk and demonstration. He showed how to harvest nettle fibre and Tina taught the group how to make cordage using plant fibre. Everyone then had a go.
We enjoyed a lovely apple cake made by Jo’s husband and tea or coffee made with hot water heated in a Kelly kettle.
Everyone enjoyed a relaxing session in nature.”
Eco Friendly Community Garden 17th July 2025
Eight members of the group attended; Sharon, Lesley, Jo, Kate, Linda, Cynthia, Ian and myself. We were welcomed by Angela (Raspberry Thief) who told us about the development of the community garden and opportunities and events hosted there. Following an introduction to the groups aims and health and safety notes we had a sensory walk to explore the garden.
Then we gathered around the activity table to find out about printing on fabric using a technique called Hapa-Zome. Members engaged enthusiastically. Some of the printing was on triangular pendants which we then used to make bunting for the children’s area of the garden. Hapa-Zome printed fabric was also used to make a fairy washing line which we also gifted to the garden. One of the Wellbeing with Nature aims is giving.
The session concluded with tea and cake and discussion of future sessions. Each session will have a similar pattern; introduction with H&S notes, a mindful wander, a themed stimulus activity and alternatives and conclude with refreshments. Each session should be unique as different venues will provide different opportunities and visiting at different times of year will also add to the variety.
The cake of the day was marmalade tea loaf and members requested the recipe