Wild Folk: Tales from the Stones
By Jackie Morris and Tamsin Abbott
An exquisite collection of shape-shifting tales from two magical artist-storytellers.
Sunday, 5 February 2023
February: slow progress, burial chambers, peace and a wren.
Snowdrops are colouring the verges and edges, blooming under hedges, small snowdrifts of blossoms. I am home after a few days away, looking after my mum, taking her shopping, spending time in her company, then signing 1500 books in a warehouse for Otter Barry Books, and on to Tamsin's for a couple of days that included quiet time in her garden listening to the language of birds and a book launch in a castle, via an astonishing place.
I've driven past the turning to Arthur's Stone many a time. Had I known before that it was, with its riven capstone, the inspiration for C S Lewis's sceen of sacrifive in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe I would have visited before. Things happen at the right time though. High on a hill with views of the borderlands and well into Wales it is a place of peace and strength. We lingered, resting awhile beneath the weight of the stone, as a small wren stitched its myths through a dense hedge and overhead raven flew and a red kite surveyed its territory of land and sky.
I need to go back, see the sun come up or the daylight fade there, listen. The patterns of lichen, small forests of moss, utterly beautiful. And the patterns of flight also. A fine place to listen to the birds.
We were heading to Hay for the launch of Sarn Helen by Tom Bullough. I had illustrated this wonderful book, during a very difficult time, finding peace in the process of ink grinding and sacred geometry while living in a basement in Hammersmith, looking after my Child. The launch was in Hay Castle, and it was the first full moon since our launch of Wild Folk. Beautiful moonlight. The crowd gathered were wonderful, and it was great to see the enthusiasm for Tom's book, a curious collection of travel writing, climate science, myth and history, but mostly a love song to the world centred on Wales and a plea to rise in active hope.
I know Seven Fables have copies. I am hoping Solva Wollen Mill will get some too.
Before we set off Tamsin and I spent a short time in her studio. Much of the morning was spent in conversation with John, of Unbound and Backlisted fame, as we have been having some problems with The Unwinding Cards and are fire fighting trying to push through to publication stage so they aren't delayed and will be out for Christmas. Another meeting on Monday should push these forward. Really looking forward to having them to send out.
Tamsin showed me work she had been making for two things: first the story of the Black Fox, in Wild Folk.
Second is for something connected to Wild Folk that we are working on. I have a question for you. Who remembers the Puffin Club? And another question. If we were to suggest an enamelled badge, for a Wild Folk Club, who might be interested? We need to have an answer, as we want to work out whether to design this as a pledge level ( don't worry if you have pledged already, because we will let you know how you can upgrade, if we go ahead- but we all, Tamsin, John and myself, love the idea of building a Wild Folk community). First would be a Wild Folk badge, but we also like the idea of having selkie, raven, black fox etc badges. At the moment we are checking out prices, but if you could let us know by commenting on this post, who else is a badge freak, like us, who remembers the Puffin Club and who would like to have a Wild Folk badge if we can make this happen? Below is the suggested piece for a Black Fox badge. This, because of the story, is the one I am most passionate about. She's a fierce and wild one, the Black Fox, a protection from harm.
Home now, settling in to work for a few weeks, shape shifting and feeding the birds. I have maps to work on for Nicola Davies and birds to paint. Hoping to have news soon of a Wild Folk event with Tamsin, somewhere very special. So much happening this year, but I need to settle my soul into shapeshifting and flight. Aiming to go to another burial chamber this week. Look forward to hearing from you, friends and Wild Folk.
Top rewards
Wild Folk Club Badge
PLUS:
- Your name in the back
Wild Folk Club Badge Set
PLUS:
- Your name in the back
Comments
Yes yes yes to a Wild Folk ‘Puffin Club’.
posted 5th February 2023
A lovely update, thank you Jackie & Tamsin for taking us along with you on your creative explorations. The Black Fox images are superb. I do remember the Puffin Club, and was a proud member as a child. Creating Wild Folk badge(s) for this community is a wonderful idea - yes please!
posted 5th February 2023
Oh I remember the Puffin Club. One of the best books ever to me, and a very early result of the Puffin Club, was Charles Causley's collection of magical verse, which tipped me into much of the direction of my life. I would be so interested in a Wild Folk badge, if affordable!
posted 5th February 2023
Absolutely would love a Wild Folk badge!
posted 5th February 2023
Lovely idea. Re Arthur's seat/stone. Just seen recently a fascination dig done for the first time on Digging for Britain with Dr Alice Roberts
posted 5th February 2023
Yes, absolutely yes to a Puffin-like club; what a lovely idea.
Arthur’s Stone is a v haunting site. We live in the Black Mountains, not so far away. The borders have always felt heavy with myth and legend to me…
posted 5th February 2023
A huge Yes Please to the Wild Folk Club, I will definitely upgrade my pledge and collect all the badges!
posted 5th February 2023
Super fabulous idea! Puffin club, Tufty Club... I'm in!!
posted 5th February 2023
Absolutely - black fox! I'm in, definitely. Great idea xxx
posted 5th February 2023
I remember! I’d love all the badges please thank you
posted 5th February 2023
Yes please! I’d love to start a badge collection!
posted 5th February 2023
Honouring the love of nature & story through such a badge, an artefact of love & connection, would be a wondrous addition. While these creatures do not inhabit the islands upon which I dwell, they are worthy of reverence in the places they call home. Count me in.
posted 5th February 2023
Yes! I was a member of The Puffin Club. I’ve still got the little booklet somewhere. I would love to be part of a Wild Folk club
so count me in…As part of the puffin club, if I remember rightly, we not only had a special hand signal but also a secret password. Both of which we could use on people to see if they too were members . Sniffup was the secret word… whoops just let that slip…. This was in the early 1970s though so I don’t suppose it’s still relevant ha!
posted 5th February 2023
Rocks and stones, bones of the earth: glad you enjoyed them.
The urge to fly ,itches the shoulders, will watch the sky for erratic flights.
Would ❤️ a black fox totem, talisman or charm.
posted 5th February 2023
Oh yes I remember the Puffin Club. What a lovely thing a badge would be!
posted 5th February 2023
Oh yes! I remember the Puffin Club! What a brilliant idea to have a club and a badge.
posted 5th February 2023
I was not a member of the Puffin Club but my children were, so yes please a badge and a club would be fun.
posted 6th February 2023
I loved Puffin Book Club and I would love to be a member of the wild folk club. I would treasure a badge(s) and wear with pride. I really hope that you are able to make this happen. This project speaks to me so much. Thank you
posted 6th February 2023
Oh, The Puffin Club! I still treasure my badges (I was lucky enough to get a black badge for four years' membership) - such happy memories. In a strange coincidence, it was after reading about the Puffin Club in my Puffin edition of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (remember how there used to be a page in Puffin books about the Club and telling you where to write to?) that I first joined - must be almost 50 years ago now (gulp). I think your idea is wonderful- thank you so much! Sniffup!
posted 6th February 2023
I'd love Wild Folk badges, especially Raven & Black Fox. I also love the idea of a Wild Folk community.
posted 6th February 2023
A Wild Folk club, and a badge! that would be brilliant.
posted 6th February 2023
I don't remember the Puffin Club, but I'd love an enamelled badge!
posted 6th February 2023
What a fantastic idea - love it.
x
posted 6th February 2023
Another vote for a badge!
posted 6th February 2023
These past updates and comments by us all have really felt like we're coming together as Wild Folk. In a world whose light is changing day in day out feeling connected through a thing as simple and beautiful as a badge would be a real joy. It's a yes from me.
posted 6th February 2023
I've been trying to remember the secret password! Now I know :-) What a lovely community we have here. X
posted 6th February 2023
Yes please to badges! Yes, remember the Puffin Club - have copies of magazines in the loft.
Glad to see your visit to Arthur’s Stone. Tamsin, the Foxglove Hare is now framed and on the wall. Hope Julian Cope’s book will supporting your work together.
posted 6th February 2023
Hi!!! Your time with the stones sounds lovely and magical.
Oh - I remember the Puffin club. Please oh please - I am very interested in badges!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you both. Feeling so fortunate to be a part of this Wild Folk community.
posted 6th February 2023
Oooh yes and yes and yes! Puffin club/badge/black fox!
posted 6th February 2023
Yes please. The badges sound wonderful!
posted 6th February 2023
Ooh, yes please to The Black fox badge. I’d love that!
posted 6th February 2023
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posted 6th February 2023
Reading all your comments brought a smile to my face and an inner glow of kinship. I love the fact that the Wild Folk reach around the world as if we are holding hands. Of course we are all ages but I feel as if the badge speaks to our desire to connect and belong on a very joyful, but deep yet childlike level. Members have already spoken of a blanket of support and in a world where so many of us carry so many cares I for one am already loving the exchange of words, memories and thoughts in these updates.
posted 6th February 2023
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos! And yes please I would love the chance to be in the Wild Folk Club with a proper badge! I remember the Puffin Club from my 1970s childhood, wish I still had the Puffin editions of Moomins books...they were delightful.
posted 6th February 2023
I remember the Puffin book club and still have many of my original Puffins - rather battered now - well read and loved! Love the idea of the badges. Yes please!
posted 6th February 2023
Lovely update. My Mum comes to me as Wren (Dad a Skylark).
How wonderful to see Aslan's sacrifice stone - I loved the story but it wasn't until I was much much older did I learn about the allegory!
I was a fully paid up fan of The Puffin Club so yes to the idea of the Wild Folk Club and yes to a badge!!
posted 6th February 2023
Loved the Puffin Book Club - yes please to a Wild Folk badge or badges - they sound wonderful.
posted 6th February 2023
Definitely yes to badges!!
posted 6th February 2023
I remember the Puffin Club. I'd love a badge! Fascinating description of Arthur's Stone - it reminds me a little of Lanyon Quoit in Cornwall. I had no idea CS Lewis based the sacrificial stone on it.
posted 6th February 2023
Yes to the badge and a Wild Folk club! Thank you so much for the update. With many blessings...
posted 6th February 2023
YES! to a badger - oops, a badge, maybe a badger too. Black fox, a Selkie would be divine, and a Raven. All of them. I loved your post; they take me to Wales where I have always wanted to go. Living in the states, I don't know about the Puffin Club but it sounds wonderful. Yes to badgers (I did it again :). Thank you Jackie.
posted 6th February 2023
I remember the Puffin Club and what a great idea to have a badge. Wonderful!
posted 6th February 2023
Yes please!!! I would love a Raven badge!!
I’m really into Corvids and this would be incredibly special!!! Thanks Jackie and Tamsin~ I love you xxx
posted 6th February 2023
YES PLEASE! What a beautiful idea, I am so excited about the book and to have a Wild Folk Club would be wonderful! A raven badge for my hat would be my idea of heaven!
posted 6th February 2023
Oh yes, a brill idea. I would love one of each!
Great as gifts with a matching card or Christmas cracker filler.
Love to you both and thanks for bringing such lovely thoughts to life. X
posted 6th February 2023
One of the greatest thrills of my life was to meet Kaye Webb, founder of the Puffin Club! Yes please to badges! Thank you for the beautiful pictures of Arthur's Seat. Truly inspiring, which I needed today xx
posted 6th February 2023
Thank you for this lovely idea! There was no Puffin Club in my childhood but I would have loved it! And a big YES for a Wild Folk badge :-)
posted 6th February 2023
Badges! Brilliant idea.
posted 6th February 2023
I was a member of the Puffin Club, and my brother before me. I loved the magazines and I still have some of the books. Instead of pocket money, I had a monthly book. These were the doorways into other worlds that I could explore in my imagination. We didn't go far, growing up in a very rural area, but books took me to different worlds! I'd love a badge!
posted 6th February 2023
Let me add my voice to the chorus requesting badges and a Wild Folk club! Great idea.
posted 6th February 2023
I lost my Puffin Club badge somewhere along the path to being an adult. I’d love a Wild Folk badge/club!
posted 6th February 2023
I love the idea of a fierce, wild protection from harm. Foxes slink around our London streets, shadowy reminders of the wild and I love to see them. although their coats are dull compared to rural foxes probably from a diet of discarded take aways. I remember the Puffin Club but, dare I admit this, I was a teenager by the time it started and probably thought myself far too grown up to join. I still have my certificate from Chief I Spy though.
posted 6th February 2023
Yes, yes, yes! Badges please
posted 6th February 2023
Sadly I know nothing of the Puffin Club (maybe it didn’t extend to Scotland?) but I LOVE the idea of The Wild Folk. Your books, together with Robert MacFarlane, Roger Deakin, Nan Shepherd, Jim Crumley and so many more are building a Wild Constituency. Folk who are listening to what the wild world is pleading with us to heed. Something which helps us to be aware of each other and declare a commitment can only be good. Keep us posted!
posted 6th February 2023
Love the idea of the Wild Folk badge.
posted 7th February 2023
A Wild Folk badge and club would be wonderful.
posted 7th February 2023
Thank you for the beautiful update. I would wholeheartedly support a Wild Folk badge! The black fox suggested is sublime; the badges in all their wild glory would be treasured little works of art. Cxx
posted 7th February 2023
Yes please to a Wild Folk badge! I love the black fox but also intrigued by the possibility of a raven badge :)
posted 7th February 2023
Yes please to a Wild Folk badge. I would love Fox or Raven.
posted 7th February 2023
Would love to join … sounds wonderful. And I’ll let Wren know when we’re members - she’s my featherless shiny brown 8 month spaniel.
posted 7th February 2023
A Wild Folk community would be wonderful with the potential for exchanging ideas/experiences - perhaps meets? I was in the Puffin Club but a black fox Wild Folk badge would be miles better if it were the image shown - black on red is so striking...
posted 7th February 2023
Sounds like such a lovely idea - I'm in
posted 8th February 2023
Yes please! I love the idea of little badges and a wild folk group.
posted 8th February 2023
Yes indeed. Let us be badgers, one and all.
posted 8th February 2023
I love the Wild Folk club idea! I don't remember the Puffin Club, but I have a jean jacket with lots of pins given to me over the years. I may need another jacket to hold more .
posted 9th February 2023
I love the idea of a Wild Folk club! Would love a badge, as well.
posted 9th February 2023
Yes yes to Wild Folk badge/s. A club for wild folk everywhere.
posted 11th February 2023
Oh. Most definitely. What a wonder full idea.
posted 13th February 2023