About the Sylvan Grove

We are an autonomous Grove of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids located in the New Forest in Hampshire, England. The Grove was formed at Samhain 2004, and is a fully-functioning OBOD Grove with Druids, Ovates and Bards. It functions on many levels:

PUBLIC

A pub moot is held on the second Monday of each month in the back bar of the 'Duke of Wellington' public house in Southampton where anyone can come and have a drink with us and look us over, or ask questions that they may have about Druidry or other forms of Paganism. A Pagan Federation representative or two can usually be found here too. This is a lively informal gathering for drink and chat.

OPEN

We celebrate the eight festivals of the Druid year in an open circle deep in the New Forest near Burley. All Grove members may attend, along with their guests, family members and anyone who is interested in learning more about Druidry. According to custom ceremonies are performed 'In the eye of the sun, under the sky, and freely accessible to all' The ritual is Druid-based, but is our own, written by the Grove members. We welcome visitors to join us. Just come to one of the Pub Moots or e-mail wiseowl@tcp.co.uk or purple.raven@virgin.net for details of the dates, times and meeting point.

CLOSED

We have 3 or 4 full Grove meetings in the year. These take place in Burley and are for Grove members only. We also hold ritual and other workshops for members. New Bardic and Ovate students and Druid members moving into the area should contact the e-mail address above for details.

THE WIDER COMMUNITY

In addition to the above, members also participate in various other local and national events, such as the Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge, the Order's annual summer and winter Assemblies in Glastonbury and Earth Healing Day. Members are willing to help out with conservation work on local nature reserves, and are usually willing to volunteer (other commitments permitting) if you have a local environmental project that needs hands. Speakers are available to talk to your organisation, club or group about Druidry, and television and radio interviews can be arranged. Just call the above e-mail contact address.