Through songs, stories, seasonal rituals, and hands-on activities, the group reflects on the changing seasons, local wildlife, and the cycles of nature that shape life around them.
Folk Juice: The community group celebrating people, seasons & nature in Watchet
Our Wilder Lives Manager, Kristen, recently visited a Folk Juice workshop in Watchet, West Somerset, to see how this local community group celebrates folk culture while staying in tune with the natural world.
This beautiful community group meets monthly to share stories, skills, recipes, music, and a love of folklore and culture. The sessions are held at the incredible East Quay - a social enterprise that focuses on connection, imagination and creativity.
The workshops are free and co-created to ensure depth and diversity of ‘folkie’ content. Themes for 2026 include: Gardening under the Moon, Folk Costume Making, May Day Celebrations and Foraging.
There is a such a warmth to this group. As soon as you walk into the cosy kitchen at East Quay you’re greeted with open arms welcoming you to share ideas, connections, and stories that help keep folk knowledge alive and ‘juicy’!
The session we attended focused on winter wreath-making, but there were also songs, warm apple juice and plenty of conversation.
Image: Georgie Grant, Folk Juice
Image: Georgie Grant, Folk Juice
Image: Georgie Grant, Folk Juice
We talked about the meaning of wreaths across different cultures and traditions, as well as information and stories about the different foliage that had been collected and shared.
Gina from The Studio at Number 16 taught us the technique of folding and tying moss around a willow frame, and then tying on fir, holly, ivy and whatever foliage we liked with green twine. She taught us the symbolism of why people have been making wreaths for hundreds of years and why we see evergreens as a symbol of everlasting life.
Conversations naturally turned to memories people had this time of year – childhood moments, time spent with loved ones, and reflections on how the changing seasons show up in nature and wildlife locally.
The next gathering is Tuesday 6th January 2026, when Isa will be teaching the group about gardening under the moon. And it’s completely free! But homemade snacks are always welcome.
About Folk Juice
Folk Juice
A monthly gathering to share folk knowledge
Date: Every first Tuesday of the month
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: East Quay Kitchen
Cost: Free
The group supports nature inclusion through relaxed conversation and varied activities with comfort, community and creativity at its heart. Folk Juice helps ensures that folk culture (within which nature and wildlife are deeply intertwined) continues to hold meaning to people in this community and remain embedded in who we are and what we do.