Ysgol Chwyn - Weeds School

Co-learning with weeds and others at the margin

.. \/

〰️

\|/

.. \/ 〰️ \|/

In this Utopias Bach experiment, we want to explore different approaches to getting to know place, through mapping, learning from and with plants and weeds and others at the margins.

The Weeds school School is inspired by weeds, as a self-organising, self-seeding ecosystem, sprouting and growing in unexpected places

We are creating a co-learning programme starting at 15.03 on 21st December 2025, and lasting initially for one year. It will be entirely shaped by the offers and interests of those taking part.

We are considering:

Noticing - what do we notice, when we pay close attention? How does this change our perception and our actions and connection? Michael Jepson has started an online Padlet where you can add photos and texts: noticing plants and weeds in cracks and surprising places
Mapping - exploring different types of mapping, long term mapping of individual gardens, pots and places, how we make decisions, what we include and don’t include
How and what can we learn with weeds? Weeds are a complex, contested and contextual subject. Often ‘othered’, or labelled as ‘invasive’, weeds survive in the margins, in the cracks and boundaries, they have a will to life and an unruly quality, the first life on disturbed ground. Could they be allies/teachers for social cohesion, well-being and inclusivity of our communities?

We have an “Ysgol Chwyn - Weeds School Padlet” where you can add your offers and ideas.

Please register for the Weeds School below

We will add more here as this experiment evolves, or see our events page for the latest events

Digwyddiadau - Events

Plants ‘n’ weeds - more observation: Liesbeth Williams

Cofestru Ysgol Chwyn : Weeds School registration

Live offers/explorations

See the Ysgol Chwyn - Weeds School Padlet for more, and to add your own

Sarah Pogoda - Llyn Alaw

Do try this at home! Weed map and portrait

1. Go outside and make an ‘inefficient map’ (mapping without looking) of all the weed people that you notice.

2. Notice one weed person that you would like to get to know

3. Make a portrait of your new weed friend.

Lisa introduced this at the session at Bangor Uni (23.11.25). Here are some of the results (click on thumbnail to see whole image)

Ysgol Chwyn - Bywyd Pwll / Pond Life - an Invitation

My pond is small and sits in a corner of my small garden. I've planted a few marginals and odd plants around it. The water is clear with recent rain. Last month the glorious, fallen acer leaves floated on its surface, face up or down. I loved the colours then. Inside my pond there are some plants, stepping stones and shells.

I don't know much more about ponds; the First Book of pond life has alarmed me with huge images of rather scary-looking creatures. This website is more enlightening. I've dipped in and out of it.

So my Invitation is to create an Ysgol Chwyn Pwll / Weed School Pond from our creative means and energy.

My idea is that we exchange by snail mail, any thought, word, image, feeling, sense, drawing, seed or packet; painting, cutting, weed, stone, poem in any language, plant, curiosity or ponderance - arising from Bywyd Pwll / Pond Life.

The gift prompts a return offering, either to the same recipient or another interested in Bywyd Pwll who is willing to share their address on request from the wonderful map Lisa has created.

We ask for care before sending anything that might disturb or affect adversely a site, pond, garden, plant or local wild life. Any other cautions or comments are welcome. This is as far as I've got - shall we see how far it grows? More to follow.

Here is one image of my pond. There will be more in Michel's Padlet - Utopias Bach Plants within Cracks.

Diolch o galon. Steph