Thank you for reading Uncanny Landscapes. This week I've got another episode of the podcast; an interview with artist and writer Camilla Nelson. As you know, this is a free project, both newsletter and podcast. If you're able to support my work through a paid subscription - thank you!! I truly appreciate it. And if you're not, perhaps you can support by telling a friend (or two, or 100) about the Substack's free subscriptions and accompanying podcast.
As always, books, records and events ‘n’at here: https://linktr.ee/oldweirdalbion
Links:
Lally MacBeth / Folk Archive website
Life is hidden in the stones. That's what I was told years ago by a strange semi-retired shaman named Mick. I think of it a lot - that life can be revealed through these ancient human-altered structures; or that stones themselves have life; or, perhaps, simply that the secret of life is to put a pin in something that's been around the block, and return to it from time to time with fresh eyes and ears.
That's what Stone Club does. It brings people together, online, in the post and in real life, under a simple idea: that which is ancient is here for us all. Folklore, myth, history - they aren't owned by the wealthy or powerful, even if it so often seems that way. That doesn't mean that - for example - a stone circle like Avebury or Stonehenge is an inherently or historically equal thing. What it means is that we, now, can change the story; we can share in the secret and, through that sharing, overcome.
Lally MacBeth and Matthew Shaw started Stone Club as a way for people to get together, get outside and visit the legend landscape. It's blown up, with thousands of members and many thousands more people keeping an eye out. It's a club, both online and in reality; they operate events that celebrate the legend landscapes of Britain, and make music and other cultural productions that help in that endeavor. There's a lot going on, but what, really, IS Stone Club? And what is it FOR? That's what we're here to find out…
Uncanny Landscapes Podcast: Stone Club