A Wychbury Handfasting
A brief history of the Wychbury Grove
Wychbury Grove has existed for approximately five years and has at present eight
members. We originally met on Wychbury Hill, a local iron age hill fort, and we welcomed new
members. We decided fairly quickly to change our structure as we felt the need to become more
focussed and build a 'group-mind'. This led to a decision to meet indoors for our regular Grove
meetings and, due to space restrictions, we had to become a closed Grove. We still celebrate outside
for our rites of passage ceremonies and plan to hold an open festival rite sometime in 2004 when we
will invite our wider circle of pagan friends and any newcomers who are interested.
Although we are a closed Grove through choice and necessity we are also happy to
talk to new enquirers about basic and general 'Druid Grove' matters and put people in touch with
each other if this is required.
We are all parents of young children and have developed a support network among
ourselves for times of parenting strife! But we do not welcome children to our regular Grove
meetings, which often have become less regular because of this. Having family responsibilities has
its restrictions in terms of ritual work and daily connections to our Deities and guardians; but we
try to maintain these connections when possible and share our experiences with each other, often not
as a whole group. This is a large focus for us at present.
We also support each other through helping out where possible in daily lives. Two
of our members share a vegetable allotment and others rent a piece of woodland. We have worked in
each others gardens and communicate on a very regular basis in between Grove meetings, which are
held every three weeks.
We have found that this community spirit, which has been directed by our
Heathen/Druid members, enhances our Grove work to a great extent.
Contact:
c/o Rick and Sarah Jones,
62 Franche Road,
Wolverley,
KIDDERMINSTER,
WORCS. DY11 5JL
Tel: 01562 638200 Day and Evening
