Farnham Folklore Society: Folklore, Artistry and Exhibiting at New House
Written by Lydia Stockbridge
Farnham Folklore Society (or the cheeky acronym, FFS) was founded by artists, printmakers and folklore enthusiasts Hattie Hyder and Thirzah Bragg to make a creative space for fellow folk fans to commune together.
They run a monthly themed open mic night at The Borough Beer House in Farnham where regulars and new faces bring stories, poems, facts and songs exploring a myriad of topics including everything from Witches and Cunning Folks, plant lore and poisons, to Japanese folklore.
This October, we invited FFS to bring their craft to New House and curate an exhibition and programme of events with local artists and members. We caught up with them to talk through the inspirations for the takeover and what to expect.
Lydia: How has folklore shaped your individual practices, and do you have a favourite folk tale or trivia tidbit that informs your work currently?
Hattie: Both my parents were antiques dealers, so I grew up with a lot of folklore and especially Japanese. Some of my family is from Wales so the Mari Lwyd is a big inspiration; she appears in my work a lot.
Thirzah: I just love those weird little stories that crop up around the country and take a lot of inspiration from them. My favourite muse is Gef the Talking Mongoose, an absolute menace who terrorised an Isle of Man farm in the 1930s.
Lydia: So tell me, in a nutshell, what people can expect from Folk Around and Find Out at New House this October?
Hattie: An exhibition of artworks celebrating various folk traditions by our members based around the folk Bang collaboration zine we did earlier in the year. Along with workshops including corn dolly making, DnD, and copper and bookbinding.
Thirzah: Pretty much anything folklore related! We've got art, heritage craft workshops, DnD, and hopefully even some dancing!
Lydia: Can you tell us a bit about the artists involved in this group exhibition?
Part of a previous Folklore exhibition
Hattie: Some artists are members but it was an open call, so some are from further afield. We have a huge variety of disciplines represented including lino print, traditional illustration, copperwork and even sculpture. Some are professional artists and some are students so it really attracted a wide range of people. Too many to list, come and see the work!
Thirzah: They're a mix of artists and writers from around Farnham and the wider Surrey area. A lot of them are society members, so if you like their work do come over to a meeting at the Borough Beer House some time. First Tuesday of every month!
Lydia: Will there be copies of Folk Bang! onsale too?
Hattie: Probably.
Thirzah: Almost certainly.
Lydia: There’s lots of workshops taking place, including having a go at endangered craft, Corn Dolly making. Do you think it’s important to keep folk and associated crafts a living tradition?
Hattie: Very much so, part of folk tradition is that it isn’t static, it’s that it grows and is reinvented by future generations. It is important that it evolves with the beliefs and values of modern life.
Thirzah: Absolutely - they're such an important part of our history and heritage, as well as performing a big social function both then and now.
Lydia: You’re also running a workshop where people can make their own mini copper grimoires - tell us about it, and what spells do you keep in yours?
Hattie: It combines my bookbinding skills with Thirzah’s copper repousse, so you get two for one! It’s very beginner friendly and surprisingly easy to do. Spells, well I’d like a spell for more time, but I have yet to find one that works.
Thirzah: Rude words mainly. Curses are a sort of spell.
Find out more about Farnham Folklore Society online:
