Welcome to Rowan & Thorn

We are a Druid grove based on the Surrey and Hampshire borders. Please have a look through our site for details of our meetings and events, how to contact us to join us, and "Voices from the Grove" for posts from our group (a few of these are below too).

The Fascinating Science of How Trees Communicate

Trees and the organisms that work alongside them are beautiful and fascinating.

We urge you to visit BrainPickings.org to watch a short animation on how trees communicate with each other. It's a lovely animation and it's really interesting, so very much worth a watch.

Call for the Ban of Long-Distance Live Animal Transport

Compassion in World Farming are asking for support, to contact your MP and ask them to press for the introduction of legislation to stop this cruel treatment.

"Our latest investigation into this cruel trade trailed one of the many exhausting journeys that unweaned calves have recently made from Scotland to the Continent.

Filmed over three days, this investigation revealed the cramped and gruelling conditions animals are forced to endure during UK live exports. Hearing the calves cry out, and watching them try to suckle and bite the bars of their truck, is heartbreaking."

Visit the Compassion in World Farming website to add your voice.

Photo by Miguel Ángel Díaz on Unsplash

Wild Bird Traps

One of our members went for a walk in her local woodland in May 2019 and came across a Larsen trap. Unfortunately it was across a river and on private land, so there wasn't anything she could do for the poor crows that were trapped inside.

During our Beltane ritual we spent some time discussing this experience and discussing the activity around banning these traps.

If this is something you'd like to hear more about then please check the Act Against Corvid Traps website, and please consider signing the petition to get them banned.

Marlhill Copse

Marlhill Copse is a copse of ancient woodland just outside of Southampton, which isn't too far away from our ritual location and from where many of our members live.

Marlhill is at risk of being cut down, because there are claims that it is impacting on aircraft safety for Southampton Airport. This is being contested, as evidence has been found that the real motivation is for the future expansion of the airport.

There is a petition to try and stop the destruction, so please do take the time to sign if you can. The Friends of the Copse are also very active in its tending, having weekly litter collections and the like. Their Facebook page has a lot more information, so if you'd like to get involved please have a look.

Photo from their Facebook page and includes one of the ancient trees that is at risk.