Nature Journal Workshop (Over 16s)

Claire Taylor-Jones is running a series of nature journal workshops at the Museum of Gloucester on Brunswick Road, and the next session for over-16s is on Saturday 28 November, 15:00 to 16:00. It's part of a longer sequence that runs across the year, so if you're just starting now, you're jumping in mid-stream, but it's designed to be built upon month by month.

Each session works to a different theme, and the museum provides all the materials, so you don't need to bring your own kit. The inspiration comes from the museum's handling collection, with a real animal or plant on display to observe and draw. The idea is to build a journal over the course of the series, adding to it each time you go back. Taylor-Jones describes the aim as connecting people with nature through art and building simple drawing and observation skills as a foundation for lifelong cognitive and emotional enrichment. It's less about producing a masterpiece and more about the act of looking closely.

There are two age-group sessions every afternoon—one for under-16s and one for over-16s—and places are limited to ten per workshop day, so it's a small group rather than a crowded room. If you're thinking of coming along, it's worth knowing that this is one of several dates: the series runs on Saturdays from 15:00 to 16:00 on 31 October, 28 November, 19 December, 23 January, 20 February, and 27 March. You can drop in for one or keep going through the winter and into spring.

Tickets are £5.00 per adult. Taylor-Jones also leads a Decorative Lantern Workshop at the museum, where you make a glowing lantern to carry in the Lantern Parade, so if you're in the mood for making things, there's a couple of different ways to get involved.