Harvest & Hues of Autumn

About

Enjoy a guided walk around Mote Park with experienced forager and ‘wild crafter’, Becca Spain and talented textile artist and eco-dyer, Sheilagh Dyson.

You’ll explore the wide variety of natural habitats in the park and learn the basics of foraging, including how to identify edible and medicinal plants and fungi, while avoiding toxic lookalikes. Hear about sustainable harvesting and folklore and get tips on the best plants for eco-dyeing.

You’ll then head into the Learning Space for a tutored session, led by Sheilagh, where you’ll learn about eco-colour from different plant materials, the magic mix of rust and tannins, and see examples of eco-printing on paper and fabric. You'll create your own 'Solar jar' with foraged items and scraps of vintage linens and threads which can then be used in a variety of projects.

Expert tuition and all materials will be provided.   

Max: 12 people   

Suitable for ages 16+

About Becca Spain

Becca grew up on the Kentish North Downs, where her love for spending time outdoors led her to pursue an Honours degree in Natural Sciences, focusing on plant life, soils, geology, and seasonality. She is currently studying a short course in herbal medicine to further expand her knowledge.

During the week, Becca works as a researcher in the commercial fishing industry, focusing on responsible sourcing and sustainability—principles that reflect her own approach to harvesting and utilising natural resources.   

Raised in a household of artists, Becca has always had a love for art, which she now incorporates into her foraging practice. She enjoys documenting her foraged finds, highlighting key identification features, and blending her artistic eye with her naturalist work. 

About Sheilagh Dyson

Sheilagh is a mixed media artist with a special interest in eco-dyeing and printing using natural and found materials, and a passion for recycling.

A compulsive treasure-seeker with a grunge-loving fascination for time-worn linens, peeling paint and rust, she discovered botanical printing nearly a decade ago, and has been investigating and experimenting with natural colour on paper and fabric ever since. It combines perfectly with her love of making softly textured books and junk journals, often capturing precious memories of place and time.

A 'Blue Peter' girl at heart, her mum taught her essential skills in sewing, knitting and dressmaking from a young age, and installed a keen 'make do and mend' ethos, long before it became fashionable. 

Sheilagh's interest in pursuing these artistic tendencies really began in earnest when she studied GCSE and A-level 'Art & Photography' as a mature student at Adult Education classes, driven by a need to find something of her own after becoming a mum herself.

She is a member of several exhibiting textile groups including Mid Kent Embroidery & Textile group (previously Maidstone Embroiderer's Guild), and her work has been included in several publications by Batsford. Sheilagh has delivered talks and workshops about her creative passions, always keen to 'pass on the baton' of creativity.