"May the wide range of wildflowers in this meadow remind you of what your soul already knows: we are strong in different ways and that is what helps us all grow."
— Morgan Harper Nichols
Celebrate abundance in the wildflower meadow
Summer is a time of achievement and abundance. Nature is thriving and creating. Wildflower meadows are humming with insects collaborating with plants to make seeds. In a society that centres its economy around scarcity and not-enoughness, nature freely showers us with an abundance of gifts: colourful flowers, food to eat, air to breath, birdsong to hear. What can this fertile season teach us about acknowledging our own abundance and achievements? And how can we start to give back to the plants and insects giving us their wisdom?
Join Agnes Becker, artist and science communicator, and Ruth Sneath, forest school guide, for a mid-summer evening retreat in the peaceful wildflower meadows of Leys Nature Reserve, Felmersham.
Take a moment to be with the wildflower meadow, learn from its abundance and generosity, feel calm and relaxed as you draw with flowers, appreciate the beauty and wonder of insects and seeds and leave feeling grounded, whole and filled with gratitude for this earth.
10 July 2026, 6pm-8.30pm
LIMITED TO 10 PLACES | TICKETS £47 EACH
"I really felt immersed in nature"
"The day was such a joy. The variety of knowledge shared, discussion, creativity and settings made it feel like a real escape. Agnes is wonderful at putting people at ease and sharing her incredible knowledge in an accessible way. I really felt immersed in nature for the day. It was also lovely to walk away with a goody bag and something I had made. It ticked all the boxes - I can not wait for the next session."
- Penny on Agnes Becker's spring retreat participant
Retreat programme
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Welcome and grounding with refreshing drink
Ruth and Agnes will welcome you to the Leys Nature Reserve with a refreshing summer drink, an introduction to the site, grounding meditation and reflection on what it means to seek out abundance in life.
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Pollinators | Insect sweeping in meadow
Ruth will guide you through how to sweep the meadow for insects to see the abunance of life that appears when wild spaces are nurtured.
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Wildflowers | Drawing with nature
Agnes will guide you through a wild journalling drawing exercise that will reignite your playful, creative spirit and get you seeing the plentitude of life thriving in the meadow. You will leave with a concertina sketchbook filled with drawings from your time with the meadow.
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Closing reflections
We share key insights and feelings at the end of our time together with cake and drinks before closing the retreat.
About your hosts
Agnes Becker (left) is an an artist, science communicator and creator of We Are Stardust - a place where art and science collide to enrich your experience of and relationship with our messy, beautiful universe.
Ruth Sneath (right) is the creator of the Secret Garden Forest School. Ruth works to increase access to and knowledge of the natural world through projects such as forest schools, tree planting, training, delivering the National Curriculum in nature, developing eco-schools and community engagement.
What the retreat will gift you
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Deeper seasonal connection
You'll leave with an enhanced relationship with summer meadowlands, wildflowers and pollinators.
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Wild journalling skills
You'll learn how to start wild journalling - making marks WITH nature on the page - without the fear of perfectionism with Agnes Becker.
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Insect sweeping skills
You'll learn how to sweep for insects in the meadow with trained Forest School guide Ruth Sneath.
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Renewed perspective on summer meadows
You'll leave understanding summer as time of abundance and achievement, without pushing.
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Practical self-care tools
Inspired by the meadow you'll notice the abundance and enoughness in your life, just as it is.
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Community
You'll have met like-minded individuals also seeking seasonal wisdom.
"Enlightening and enjoyable"
'The forest school training session was very informative, learning not only about the environment but also the safe and proper use of tools and ideas for crafts in a practical hands on session. Ruth’s knowledgeable and enthusiastic teaching gave me the skills to use unfamiliar tools and the confidence to teach others to do the same. A really enlightening and enjoyable session.'
- Bo, College Lecturer on Ruth Sneath's training
Gift yourself an evening in the mid-summer meadow exploring wildflowers, pollinators and abundance.
Wildflowers, pollinators & abundance | An evening, mid-summer retreat
Please read before purchasing your ticket
Upon booking, you assume full responsibility for yourself during the event. It is accepted that the natural environment has inherent risk and the activities that you are going to take part in also hold inherent risk. All attendees must act upon health and safety instructions. Anyone not contributing to a safe and inclusive environment may be asked to leave. This ticket is for the advertised date. Tickets cannot be refunded. In the event of cancellation, you will be offered a refund or to rebook. You will be informed before 8:00 AM the morning, where possible. Please inform us in advance of any medical issues that you think we need to know about, as well as any allergies.
Directions to Leys Nature Reserve
The reserve is a 40-minute drive from the centre of Bedford in the village of Felmersham.
The Leys Nature Reserve, Pavenham Road, Felmersham, Bedfordshire, MK43 7EX
Questions
What do I need to bring?
Wear sturdy shoes and suitable clothing for the weather, bring hats and sun cream if necessary.
All drinks, cakes, drawing materials and fire making materials will be provided.
Are there toilets at the Leys Nature Reserve?
Yes, there are two compostable toilets.
Is there parking at the Leys Nature Reserve?
Yes! There is plenty of parking at Ickwell.
What if the weather is bad?
Please know that this is an entirely outdoor-based event. If the weather forecast looks to be very bad we will seek to reschedule the event, and will issue refunds to those who cannot make the new date.
Will dietary requirements be taken into account?
We will get in touch in advance for dietary requirements and will endeavour to meet your needs where possible. In some cases we may need to invite you to bring your own food.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds will only be given if the event has to be unexpectedly cancelled so please buy with intention.
Is the venue accessibility-friendly?
Unfortunately the space at Leys Nature Reserve is not wheelchair friendly. We are always on the lookout for more accessible venues and hope to offer retreats at a wheelchair friendly space in the future.