Southland Herb Society Spring Festival of Herbs
Southland Herb Society celebrated 40 years at their ‘Spring Festival of Herbs’ on the 9th-10th October 2021. Members shared their passion and interest in herbs with each other and the public at The Blind and Low Vision Centre. The rooms were filled with Spring flowers and herbs of every description. It was a chance for the community to see the creativity and breadth of what we do.
A WOW factor set in and eyes could not believe what they saw!
First, a massive floresta shop inspired by Olive Dunn hit the senses, then a central sales tables laden with hundreds of herbs of every description; next comfrey and worm tea, filled tuffa pots, The Pantry baked items and preserves, local lavender oil, crafts, potpourri, Rachael Reid Vintage, finally bric a brac.
Around the walls of this room were displays some to rekindle happy memories, others with herbal information, most for discussion and after thought: A Tribute to Life Members – Olive Dunn, Jean Young, Tui McDowell, Geoff Mead, Adair Polson Genge, Christine Whitaker, Betty Snell -, Companion Planting, Herbs and their Uses, Native Herbs, Foraging, Lavender, Peter Rabbit/Beatrix Potter Herb Garden, an Apothecary, Lyn Henry’s Herbal Painting and Prints, Alice’s Bedroom, Granny’s Kitchen, Herbal Embroidery, finally a wagon wheel packed with herbs for everyday use.
And tucked into a corner were members making tussie mussies for sale: a smile came when you saw a customer walking around browsing and buying, with one hand clutching a colourful posy