The Alder Grove in Glen Innes, New South Wales | Artist

The Alder Grove

Locality: Glen Innes, New South Wales

Phone: +61 420 697 640

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• Cultural gift shop

25.01.2022 Spell candles back in stock in the shop today. Will be on the website as of tomorrow. Options include healing, abundance, love, empowerment, banishing and releasing. Hand made from 100% beeswax by members of the coven. Come in and talk to us for more information.

23.01.2022 When I first found this group more than one person was enthusing about the fierce mask known as the 'Dorset oozer' which features on the cover of the old 'Folkl...ore, Myths and Legends of Britain' book. It has been suggested that at one time most communities would have owned something similar, but finally the only one left in Dorset was that well known one at Melbury Osmund, and now it is probably lost for ever. Horns are a constant in folklore back to the very earliest times and the cave paintings at places like Lascaux, but their exact significance has always probably been fairly subjective. It has been over 70 years since the author and classicist Robert Graves first published his legendary work 'The White Goddess' which continues to be lauded as a work of enormous erudition (which it is) but even he managed to drop a clanger when he described the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance as taking place on Mayday - and situated the village in the west country! Of course, this Staffordshire village hosts its fascinating dance on the Monday following the first Sunday after September 4th. My two colour illustrations show some of the horns and their supporting frames on the walls of the Church of St Nicholas where they dream away the time - a totally pagan emblem. The b&w pictures, from 'Witchcraft for Tomorrow' by Doreen Valiente, show the symbolic power of the horn, on the headpiece of a high priest, and on the altar itself. The two faced 'Janus' god, looking into the past and the future sports four horns representing the four winds and four seasons, while the base of the figure is set with four gems to show the four elements. Natural horns are then placed across the front of the god figure as a symbolic barrier. Like most lovers of the unusual, my principal interest until now in the Highgate area of London has been associated with the famous vampire scare which started over 50 years ago and was very much to blame for the freedom of the public to visit the legendary cemetery being somewhat curtailed, but in this area too the horn has gathered folklore about itself. It used to be the custom a few hundred years ago for those passing through Highgate to be offered the 'freedom' of the place if they would 'swear on the horns'. Practically all the inns in the busy area had their own horns, not always stag, but sometimes cow or ram, and they would be mounted on a pole or staff and kept over the door of the hostelry. James Thorne, in his 'Handbook to the Environs of London' (1876) goes into great detail about the essentially light -hearted oaths people were originally encouraged to take; they would be charged for this, usually a shilling, or a round of drinks, and at the close of the swearing in they would be asked to kiss the horns, or a girl if she was available! Even Byron rhapsodised about the custom at one point. It may be significant that Hornsey Lane is a main thoroughfare cutting across Highgate itself, which leads into Holloway; an ancient 'hollow way'. William Hone in his year book of 1826 relates that between 100 and 120 people a day (mostly coach passengers) were being inducted and some inns had dedicated staff to deal with the demand. Around 20 drinking holes had horns, but by 1842 only the 'Green Dragon' inn had theirs over the door while the 'Gatehouse Inn' and the 'Coopers Arms' kept theirs indoors as they were getting the worse for wear. Originally, of course, this area was one of the 'gates' to the forested area outside London, and the gatekeeper would have used his horned staff to signify his right to take tolls of all the sheep and cattle passing through, but as the place became urbanised people were seen as a source of revenue instead. One wonders if this area on the border of the wild had still some echo of the old pre-agricultural rites of the people in the totemic staff. By the time William Kent produced his 'Encyclopaedia of London' in 1937, the custom had not only lapsed but been revived at the Gate House Tavern by a group known as the H Thirty Club. When 'London Lore' was published in 2008 it still merited a mention, but by then the emphasis was back on the cemetery; there was even a mention of Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

20.01.2022 Lost for something to do this long weekend? Why not master medieval swordsmanship (at a safe social distance), at The Alder Grove. From 12-4pm Sunday 4th October. 9921 New England Highway. Glen Innes. NSW.

19.01.2022 We will be meeting for our AGM on Sunday 15th November at 12noon at The Alder Grove, 9921 New England Highway, Glen Innes. Before commencing the next battle training session. Committee positions will be filled and all other matters discussed and settled where possible.

16.01.2022 So good news to our members, Training will recommence on 12pm Sunday the 20th September at The Alder Grove (9921 New England Highway, Glen Innes) with a huge th...ank you to Peter Grimes and his Wife; Storm black, with Courtesy they have given us use of the front area of their property for training located directly opposite the Super Strawberry. Hope to see you all there ready and rearing to go for combat training

15.01.2022 Fresh coffee at the next #marketsinthehighlands ! See you there!

15.01.2022 Just because the sewing machine is broken doesn't mean we can't have a productive day. New spell candles freshly made. Available from Thursday 1st October at the shop.

13.01.2022 Exciting things happening this spring, here at The Alder Grove. Come along and try it out, meet the regulars, or just come and say hello. The shop will also be open and an array of strawberry related refreshments are to be found yonder (just across the highway). We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

13.01.2022 We will be back at the old holden building on Saturday 12th for more Markets in the Highlands. Come and see us, at a safe social distance for Original Celtic art, Hand made products, Black Garlic to boost your immune system, Birch Cottage candles to boost your mood, hands free Tarot readings and much more besides.

08.01.2022 Article by J. Allen Cross. A practicing witch of Mexican, Native American and European descent. I have had a similar experience both here in Australia and in the UK. This need to be understood.

08.01.2022 Ever wanted to try your hand at archery? ROGUE reenactment group will be at The Alder Grove for medieval combat training at a safe social distance again on Sunday 4th October 12-4pm why not come along and join in. (Trebuchet and fort not included).

02.01.2022 The ROGUEs will be back tomorrow, Sunday 18th October. 12 noon till 4pm. No battle equipment? No problem. Plenty to share. No costume? No problem, come as you are. No experience? No problem, Instructions given by Dale. No reason not to come? Excellent! See you there.

02.01.2022 Last Sunday at The Alder Grove some fine, keen archery was on display! ROGUE Re-enactment Orders Giving United Equality has a great venue for gathering, and all... of us joining in had a great time learning the fine arts of medieval combat! Here Viv Williams about to shoot a target-hitting shot, guided by Dale Fawcett, watched on by Storm Black See more

01.01.2022 Don’t forget to mark your diaries and calendars that combat and archery training is every second Sunday. Next training day will be on Sunday 4th October 2020 at... The Alder Grove located 9921 New England Highway, directly opposite Super Strawberry. Remember if your new, have no gear or that, you may be able to borrow gear off other members for the day. Or maybe you would like to swing by and have a chat with us and learn more, your quite welcome to. Due to COVID-19 there will be a sign in sheet for visitors and members. Again a big thank you to Peter Grimes and his Wife; Storm Black for letting us train on their property Hope to see you all there