Taryn Shrigley-Wightman was a Druid of the Anglesey Druid Order, an Awenydd, a drummer, a gardener and a visionary artist amongst many other aspects of her life. A druid for over 20 years and an artist for over 30 years, she was an award-winning illustrator and multi-media artist who held a Masters degree in Visual…
Hark! Once Again
Jenny and I went along to the latest Hark! Darlington event which combines really interesting local musicians with readings at the lovely Hash Bar and Kitchen on Coniscliffe Road. Despite both of us being really tired and umming and ahhing about whether to go, we were both glad that we did as the musicians were…
‘Ossing About
Posted on Author Mandua BrigaPosted in Mari Lwyd, Richmond, Richmond Old 'Oss, Winter SolsticeLeave a Reply
On Christmas Eve we went over to Richmond to see T’Owd ‘Oss do his stuff around the town. T’Owd ‘Oss – or ‘The Old Horse’ to southerners – is a real horse’s skull on a pole, which is carried around the centre of the town every Christmas Eve. All decked out in greenery and poinsettias,…
Samhain
So – finally! – we were able to get together to mark Samhain on Sunday, very late due to Jenny travelling to Anglesey to join the Anglesey Druid Order‘s Calan Gaeaf celebrations and the waking of their Mari, Mari Môn, plus other things happening such as a very full-on Ofsted inspection for us the week…
Samhain with the Anglesey Druid Order
Keith and I went on a sort of pilgrimage this Samhain to the island of Anglesey, which has always been an important site for British Druidry. Not only was it the site of the famous Roman slaughter of the Druids (suggesting that it was a stronghold of theirs in the first place) but it was…
Tales of Peg Powler
Liz, Sue, Claire and Carl had a fantastic night out last night. We went to Hash Bar in Darlington to see the latest in the series of brilliant Tracks Hark! music and literary events. All of the musicians were wonderful, and I particularly enjoyed the mesmerising and haunting voice of Anna Hughes. I was sad…
Alban Elfed at Thornborough Henges
Seven members of Mandua Briga went to Thornborough Henges on Sunday 25th September to celebrate Autumn Equinox at the Mabon at Thornborough Henges event that has been held there annually since 2012. We did a small ceremony in the Central Henge after the main ceremony, and it was lovely to celebrate together again and also…
Shane (AKA Syre Byrd) Says Farewell
We are sad to hear that Mandua Briga member Shane is leaving us for pastures new and far-flung. But he has left us with a lovely poem of farewell, recited beautifully. And don’t forget Shane, you are always a member of Mandua Briga so please do keep in touch with us from distant shores. We…
Fireside Chat with Eimear and Jenny
Posted on Author Mandua BrigaPosted in Brigantes, Brighid, Death Rituals, Religious Education, Rock Well, Stanwick Iron Age FortificationsLeave a Reply
Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD) Chosen Chief Eimear Burke chatted to Jenny on Thursday 8th September about subjects including Stanwick, Scotch Corner and Queen Cartimandua, is druidry a religion?, religious education, death rituals, needle-felted Brighid / Brigantia and a song! They talked for over two hours and it was streamed live on Facebook…
Lughnasadh 2022
As the Wheel of the Year turns I am back amongst the golden bearded grains, ripening blackberries and plump sloes of the hedgerows in the borders where Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire meet. This year the acorns look plentiful, unlike the previous year. The rowan trees, as I noticed with pleasure in Darlington also, are laden with…