WELCOME TO NELSON WOMEN'S CENTRE

A supportive place where all women can flourish

Lost Words & other Workshops

Lost Words Workshop for Mums and Kids  - Clare Jones

 

Wednesday 7 November 3.30pm - 4.30pm 
Ages 8-12 at  Nelson Public Library

 

Celebrate the ordinary words of nature! In this workshop kids and mums, together, will create acrostic poems and luminous watercolours that bring to life the flora and fauna of Nelson.

 

In 2002 a Cambridge University survey, published in Science, indicated that British schoolchildren were able to identify Pokémon far more accurately than species of common UK wildlife. In a 2008 National Trust survey, only a third of primary age children could identify a magpie, though nine out of ten could name a Dalek. 

 

Robert Macfarlane created twenty acrostic poems or ‘spells’ focused on common nature words that are fading from use as the species themselves decline, and Jackie Morris painted beautiful, iridescent watercolours which take viewers on a journey in which the familiar is magical once more.
Following in their footsteps, we will celebrate ordinary words of nature in word and art! Join poet Clare Jones for this workshop where mum and kids can make their own page for the Lost Words, bringing to life a special animal or plant. In one hour each pair can make a 'spell' poem and a watercolour based on one of the 26 lost words or a word that is special to them. 

 

Nature Poetry  - Clare Jones

Tuesday 6 November 10am - 12 noon
Nelson Women's Centre

 

Explore new poetry landscapes and experiment with the sounds, sights and symbols of the natural world. We will try some exercises to flex your metrical and metaphorical muscles. Please being one or two natural objects with you to the workshop (leaf, nest, feather, stone, etc).

 

Clare Jones, a recipient of a grant from the Fullbright programme and an Alberta Metcalf Kelly Fellowship from the Iowa Writers. 

 

English Romantic poet John Clare was an advocate of onomatopoeia, words that, when spoken, sound like the phenomena they attempt to describe. For example, Clare is cited in the OED for an early variation of the imitative word ‘squawk’, ‘chelp’, which he uses for sparrow song, ‘chicker’ for crickets, and ‘tootling’ for the song of a robin. Using some examples from Clare's poetry as well as contemporary poetry, we will explore new ways of composing poems and capturing nature through the written word.

Healing Sessions   -  by donation


Holistic Pulsing with Rona Spencer commences 5 November!

 

Holistic Pulsing is a mind/body therapy that uses a rhythmic rocking movement that works on many levels, allowing muscles and other tissues to 'let go.' Gentle lengthening, stretching and opening techniques are sometimes also used. Facilitated dialogue further allows you to become curious about your body and where it is holding energy



HOW YOU CAN HELP

 

Governing Collective Volunteers

We need passionate women to be part of the Collective that makes decisions about the day-to-day running, and the future, of the Centre.

 

The Governing Collective plays a very important role at the Centre. We have a flat hierarchy and we work together to help make a difference for women in the community.


We are looking for one or two dedicated women to fill vacancies in the Collective. If you would like to make a difference and are dedicated to women's causes; and can make a small monthly time commitment, we would love to hear from you. 

 

Donate

You can donate to our Givealittle page. Every little bit helps us continue to help women in our community. 

 

Become a member
You can become an Official Member of the Centre. $10 a year helps us continue to deliver all of our vital services. (You may pay by cash, cheque or internet banking to account # 03-1355-0736361-00). 

 

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 The Women’s Centre works with women to empower them to be safe and resourceful, to value themselves, and to achieve their potential.