Green Creative Connections: South London Botanical Institute

About Green Creative Connections

Green Creative Connections is a series of six free workshops produced by climate theatre company Wise Ram Theatre, running from July to October in community gardens across Lambeth.

No experience in performance or theatre is necessary, just a desire to try something new and spend time in nature. These workshops are for adults over 18, but participants are welcome to bring babes in arms.

About the workshop

This workshop is hosted at the South London Botanical Institute, a site dedicated to the study of plants with an extensive botanical library, herbarium (dried plant collection), lecture room, as well as a beautiful botanical garden.

This workshop will be facilitated by Alison Middleton, using humour and play to explore themes of biodiversity loss, endangered species and preserving life for the future. Through activities such as joke writing and character building, we will bring humour to a heavy subject. The South London Botanical Institute will lead a hands-on session, teaching the group about botanical species.

Accessibility

There are travel bursaries available up to £5 per participants. You will need to tick this box when you register and we will reimburse you with cash at the workshop. Refreshments will also be provided. Teas, coffees and light snacks will be served. Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary requirements for us to be aware of by emailing Lorna on [email protected]

You may find it helpful to know the following details:

• Group size of up to 15 people
• Indoor and private space for the creative part of the workshop
• Easily accessible from public transport with minimal walking
• Unfortunately as the South London Botanical Institute is an old building we are currently not wheelchair accessible. There is one step into the building and then steps into the garden, which has narrow and uneven pathways.

• Managed noise levels to minimise sensory overstimulation
• Quiet space for prayer, reflection, wellbeing, breastfeeding
• Breastfeeding friendly and baby changing facilities
• Accessible and gender-neutral toilet

If you would like any other support or have any additional requirements to enjoy the session, let us know - you can email Lorna on [email protected].

About the facilitator

Alison Middleton is a comedy practitioner with a particular interest in using play and humour to tackle difficult topics. She runs the collective Comedy vs Climate Change, which hosts community gigs centred on environmental topics. She has a PhD on laughter and Greek tragedy, and has taught stand-up, character, sketch, and improvised comedy across the UK.

Transport

Find the South London Botanical Institute on Google Maps here. It's address is 323 Norwood Road, London SE24 9AQ. It is situated at the Tulse Hill end of Norwood Road, close to Tulse Hill station and to the junction with the A205 South Circular road.

The nearest station is Tulse Hill, 5 minutes’ walk away. It is served by the Thameslink (direct trains from Kings Cross St Pancras, Elephant & Castle, Wimbledon and Sutton) and by Southern trains (direct trains from London Bridge, Peckham Rye etc). On arrival at Tulse Hill, walk out of the station, down the hill and right into Norwood Road. Walk along Norwood Road, cross over at the traffic lights, walk past the second hand car dealer on your right and the Botanical Institute is just along on the right.

The Institute is also only 15 minutes’ walk from Herne Hill station (for trains to Victoria and the South East) and from West Norwood station (for trains to Clapham Junction and Crystal Palace).

Many buses pass directly by the Institute:

• 68 Euston – West Norwood, via Waterloo
• 196 Brixton – Norwood Junction
• 322 Clapham Common/Clapham North/Brixton – Crystal Palace
• 468 South Croydon – Elephant and Castle

The following buses also stop at Tulse Hill (a short walk from the Institute):

• 2 Marylebone Station – Victoria – Crystal Palace
• P13 Surrey Quays – East Dulwich – Streatham
• 201 Mitcham Junction – Tulse Hill

Bus: there are cycle racks at the front entrance.

Car: the side roads opposite offer parking although there is a charge during working hours.

Find out more

Instagram: @wiseramtheatre
Facebook: Wise Ram Theatre
Find out more at https://www.wiseramtheatre.co.uk/ or email us on [email protected]

Host or Publisher Wise Ram Theatre