Alison Brierley

*  Wild Woman  *

*  Professional Artist  *  Medicine Maker  *  Shamanic Taxidermist *

* Global Nomad  *  Intrepid Culinarian  *  Roadkill Recycler  *  Urban & Wild Food Forager  *

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It takes courage and a free spirit to toss aside the pressures of our culture, and embrace who we in our hearts.

Many aspects of my work explore the potent, deep feminine principle, beyond feminism and patriarchy.  I gravitate towards Shamanism and the use of archetypal imagery, symbolism and metaphor.   I love all aspects of self-expression through art of all descriptions, especially the squeamish and uncomfortable ones. 

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My relationship with food could be considered ‘sacred’.  I participate fully in Nature’s food chain and the global culinary experience.  I am an avid traveller and professional urban and wild food forager.  I dislike waste and have a passion for creating, experimenting and recycling.  

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Much of my work aspires to push the experiencer, including myself, to query personal preconceptions and socio-cultural taboos by creating something beautiful, delicious or compelling, often from something dead and/or socially repulsive.  I work often with foraged paraphernalia and Roadkill.

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Immersing myself fully wherever I am in the World, I question and take responsibility for everything I do, what I create and where my food comes from.  I try my best with the knowledge and level of awareness that I have to live as ethically and as peacefully as I can within this world. 

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I study Philosophy, Anthropology, Shamanism and Permaculture.  I am nomadic and my home is on wheels.  I practice ‘simple living’.

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In the words of J. Krishnamurti – “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”

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“Sheela-Na-Gig” Lino print – Placental Blood – 2012

** PLEASE NOTE**

This site is my ‘personal’ site and contains ADULT THEMES.

… and now that you have been warned,

please enjoy the multitude of emotions you will experience whilst visiting.

For…

* ART COMMISSIONS *

* School, Community, Public & Private * 

Please visit the link below to view my mainstream work and photo gallery –

includes past completed projects and workshops from the UK and Amazon, (São Gabriel da Cachoeira)

… Thank You 🙂

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alisonbrierleyartist.wordpress.com

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 Vocational Highlights 2016 – so far…

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This was the first AGM since becoming a member of the Association of Foragers that I had actually attended and it was wonderful to spend a couple of days finally putting faces to the names of so many wonderful fellow members.

Thoroughly enjoyed the socials and foraging and look forward to being a member and serving as a coherent voice to promote and support responsible foraging for many more years to come.

www.foragers-association.org.uk 

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“LOST BODIES”

** ON TOUR **

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“This new performance is the first few breaths of a new life, with a new voice, in new flesh.  In ‘Lost Bodies’ artist Nicola Hunter will be celebrating loss as a strengthening process, a metamorphosis and a return to the wild.”

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2016-2017
LOST BODIES TOUR
Performed by Nicola Hunter with Alison Brierley & Sarah Glass
Sound in collaboration with Sarah Glass
Produced by Xavier de Sousa
Production managed by Matt Davies
Set Design by Ant Macari
Lighting Design by Joseph Mercier

TOUR SCHEDULED ACROSS THE FOLLOWING VENUES OVER 2016-2017:
TEMPTING FAILURE CIC, London
LIVE ART BISTRO, Leeds
COLCHESTER ARTS CENTRE, Colchester
THE ISLAND in partnership with JACOBS WELLS BATHS, Bristol
ARTSADMIN, London
THE MARLBOROUGH THEATRE, Brighton
NAC, Norwich

“Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing. Her name is Wild Woman, but she is an endangered species. The wildish nature comes to us at birth, society’s attempt to “civilize” us into rigid roles has plundered this treasure, and muffled the deep, life-giving messages of our own souls. Without Wild Woman, we become over-domesticated, fearful, uncreative, trapped” – (Clarissa Pinkola Estes).

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Lost Bodies was originally part of the festival of transgressive International Performance Art & Noise Art  – “Tempting Failure ” –  an eclectic selection of transgressive and risk taking performance art and noise art from some of the most exciting artists around the world.

Supported by Arts Council England.

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Why you should be eating Roadkill…

19th May 2016 – Had both an amusing and serious chat over the phone with David K Gibson, a BBC writer based in the USA. It turned into an interesting and enlightening article about sustainable and ethical eating practices…. here he give 11 GOOD REASONS to consider eating roadkill “flatmeats” – Click the link…

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Started my REIKI training.

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Animality – Women, Animals and Instinct

An Exhibition by Photographer and Artist Casey Orr

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“The Animal Library – Women, Animals and Instinct” examines how Nature and Culture intertwine and explores the different relationships women have with animals; the cultural understanding of the language of women, the histories of women and nature, and our relationship to animals and our animal selves through photographs and reproductions of the books and library artefacts.

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I was photographed along with 10 other women who embody what she hopes to explore and communicate – an understanding of culture as not separate from nature but that the two are intertwined; both integral to a definition what it is to be human.

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1st December 2015 – 9th January 2016

“THE ANIMAL LIBRARY- WOMEN, ANIMALS, INSTINCT”

Leeds City Central Library, in the City Center.

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www.caseyorr.com

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Vocational Highlights 2015

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Midsummer Women Camp

Back after a few years off – my favourate camp of the entire year!

Since 2008 a circle of inter-generational women have gathered at Midsummer time for an open structured weekend. They come together and contribute in whatever way feels right for at the time. This women’s circle is a safe womb space for new possibilities to be conceived and supported when they are barely formed and may be still in the dark.  It invites: Open hearts – Mindfulness – Responsibility for own experience and its effect on the circle – To be open to and not attached to outcome.

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“Raising The Skirt 2015”

Thrilled to be one of this years participants.

A bold 3 day event questioning notions of beauty and the status of women socially and culturally across many religions,

and how this affects how the female body is translated across mass media.  Photographs released in the New Year 2016

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Created and facilitated by artist NICOLA CANAVAN in collaboration with photographer DAWN FELICIA KNOX

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‘La mar es posa bona si veu el cony d’una dona’. 

A Catalan belief in the Vagina, translated as

 ‘The sea calms down if it sees a woman’s cunt’.

Blog coming soon.

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Making more movies for ‘Woodlands TV’!

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“Tribal Ali, an ‘English Zorro with a Scalpel’ doing for foraging and wild cookery what Charlie Dimmock did for gardening”

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Last year I made some “Wild Food Foraging in the Woodlands” films with Film Maker Claudia Nye.  Concluding with the 6th and FINAL installment for Woodlands TV 

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The pilot film in the “Roadkill” series “Identification” aired on the 15th April 2015 and short follow-up films about woodland cookery, skinning, preparation and preservation  emerged on the 15th of each month till August/ September 2015.

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Part 1: Identifying Edible Roadkill by the Woodlands

Part 2: Preparing Roadkill Pigeon for by the Woodlands

Part 3: Cooking Roadkill Pigeon in the Woodlands

Part 4: Taxidermy in the Woodlands

Part 5: Cooking Accidental Meat in the Woodlands

Part 6: Tribal Arts and Crafts in the Woodlands

Read the blog .

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This year I will be one of the alchemists at GastroFest which is back as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival 2015, showcasing some delicious science and offering a packed menu of producers, artisans, scientists and chefs.

Nose to Tail: The Not So Offal Truth

Monday 6 April 2015

Time:20:00 — 21:30

Venue:Dissection Room, Summerhall

Standard Ticket £12.00 (includes tasters)

Could a trotter ever be a treat? Is offal really awful? How tender is a heart? If you like your meat neatly processed and as far removed from its animal origins as possible, this is NOT the event for you. Join us for an experimental edible journey to actively connect with the food chain as we investigate the possibilities and benefits of whole animal eating: from the impact on our heath to the ecological importance of sustainable eating. Featuring tempting tasters and demonstrations of innovative preparation techniques from Intrepid Culinarian and Roadkill Connoisseur Alison Brierley and Fife’s Food Ambassador and author of The Whole Hog Christopher Trotter alongside award-winning dietition and TV nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton.

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Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC)

This year I completed my Permaculture Design course.

The word ‘permaculture’ comes from ‘permanent agriculture‘ and ‘permanent culture‘ – it is about living lightly on the planet, and making sure that we can sustain human activities for many generations to come, in harmony with nature. Permanence is not about everything staying the same. Its about stability, about deepening soils and cleaner water, thriving communities in self-reliant regions, bio-diverse agriculture and social justice, peace and abundance.

This IS the future, the only sustainable future in my opinion, and I loved the course!

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Vocational Highlights 2014

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The ‘MUNCHIES’ Food Channel at VICE Presents:

 THE ROADKILL CONNOISSEUR

A ‘How to’ film for the MUNCHIES food Channel.

I spent a very pleasurable half day with two guys from VICE / Freemantle Media UK making a show for their “How to…” series.

But, instead of making a “How to” film called “From Tarmac to Table”, I seem to be suddenly launched into the illustriousness of their Presenting of …. ‘The Roadkill Connoisseur”. 

Coooool!  lol. 🙂  like it!

I made two of my “Feral Fusion” recipes using squirrel – “Southern Fried Squirrel” & “Squirrel Pot-Sticker Dumplings”.  They were very tasty and the show is pretty funny, lol.

MUNCHIES chronicles the wide spectrum of the global culinary experience. They liked how I combine roadkill with various forms of cookery styles and ingredients and asked if I would cook for the show. I enjoyed links to the other episodes so said yes!

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Click on the recipe titles for ingredients and methods.  If the links don’t work it is because the posts are still under construction!

Heyyyy, lol, I’m a busy mum!  🙂

Save this page and I will update ASAP.

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Making movies for ‘Woodlands TV’!

Lately I have been making movies with the ultra talented Claudia Nye.

Originally from Argentina, Claudia is a Scarborough based, award winning BAFTA nominated documentary film maker with 21 years experience in the field of media.

Her work ranges from broadcast (BBC/Channel Four) to private and public Commissions (Film Council/European Fund), through facilitating community based projects with the youth, and teaching in FE and HE sectors.

These movies are for Woodlands.TV and should be ready to view online around March/ April 2015.

Will post the links ASAP. X

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“FORBIDDEN” airs on British TV!

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On September the 30th this year the DISCOVERY CHANNEL broadcast the series we took part in last year…

Originally called Extreme Worlds (working title) the series launched with the episode “Double Lives”.

Our contribution, Episode 7 is called “FREAKY FOODS” – first showing 11th November on DMAX

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“What is a delicacy to some can be disgusting to others. Adventurous eating is a growing fad, but these foodies take exotic to a new level. Standard fare just will not cut it for these appetites – they prefer roadkill, insects, and in some cases, dirt.  In the picturesque farmlands of New Zealand, rams’ testicles are gulped down at a food festival. In Japan, a culinary revolution is unearthed when a chef cooks with topsoil. In Scotland, a foraging family chooses a diet rich in foods from the wild – berries, mushrooms, and roadkill”.

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Orientation Travel Productions and Dutch host Thomas Acda go on a “Roadkill Road Trip” around North Yorkshire with yours truly!

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Spent a full day on a warm and sunny Summer Solstice filming a pilot episode with the Orientation Production team of five wonderfully funny folk from the Netherlands.

The host, Thomas Acda, is a well known rock star, song writer, actor and comedian.  He is making a series very similar to that of Anthony Bourdain; traveling the world, meeting new and interesting people and having epiphanies through culinary experiences.

The day was spent foraging, exploring the beautiful countryside, looking for roadkill, cooking it, chatting and having a fun time.  We ended around a camp fire with some fantastic friends/ local musicians.  We certainly showed them some good old Yorkshire hospitality.  The program will be aired on mainstream Dutch TV this year.

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Vocational Highlights – 2013 News

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“PREOCCUPIED WITH PLACENTAS”

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My Experimental Adventures Making Beautiful Things from Placenta

NEW NOTE! … COMMISSIONS NOW BEING TAKEN!!

 I have enjoyed this process so much I am offering my services as a ‘Placenta Artist’. 

Anyone wishing to preserve their placenta can contact me using the ‘Contact’ page or use this highlighted link.

What I would like to make for you are completely unique and personal ’Objet De’Art’ using your placenta, what you want is your choice and I am open to suggestions. 

I will not however be producing items that are meant to be ingested. 

Prices are negotiable depending on what you want and to be discussed privately.

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Please enjoy the multiple emotions you will encounter by continuing to read…

“My Experimental Adventures Making Beautiful Things from Placenta”

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“BEYOND BELIEF” – Scottish Foraging Adventures and Roadkill Collaborations for Beyond Productions and the Discovery Channel – “EXTREME WORLDS”

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Date to be Aired Not Known Yet…

Februrary 2013 –  13 Collaborators make a program for Australian Production Company ‘BEYOND’  and the ‘Discovery Channel’.

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Click here to see some amazing photos taken by fellow collaborator Jonathan Mcgee!

(Some show scenes of butchery and are quite graphic, you have been warned!)

The series is shooting across the globe, and will comprise of 12 one hour episodes featuring three or four stories each. It will air in 209 countries and territories across the world, reaching an anticipated audience of over 1.3 billion.  Each episode will have a theme that looks at subcultural movements and exciting, unusual and enlightening belief systems or ways of life.  This story explores the phenomenon of eating wild-food and roadkill and certain attitudes towards the self sustainability aspects of being nomadic.

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August 2013 – DISCOVERY CHANNEL UPDATE from the BEYOND PRODUCTIONS team…

“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you kindly once again for your fantastic contribution to the television series Extreme Worlds (working title).

The series is currently in its final stages of post-production, the episodes are ready to air and they look great.  The first broadcast will be in Poland in August.  The show will air worldwide soon after that.

To grab the attention of viewers, the final title of the series as chosen by the network is “FORBIDDEN”. The title highlights the extraordinarily engaging and exciting subcultures, passions, hobbies, interests and pastimes featured in the series.  Each episode is a celebration of we human beings, in all our wonderful variety.  We believe that in the case of each featured story, the viewers will come away enlightened, with a sense of fascination, understanding and acceptance.  For us, variety is the spice of life!

As soon as we have any more details regarding transmission schedules in other countries, and when the series has finished its global transmission, we will be in touch”.

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Launching “Mobile Murals”

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This year I took my motor home ‘on-site’ and lived in a school playground for 3 weeks over the Summer holidays.  This was such a wonderful way for me to work away from home, constantly and consistently, literally on the door-step of the job itself!

I am now able to take on commissions further afield and minimise my carbon footprint!

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Please contact me to discuss your thoughts and requirements.

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Primary School Outdoor Mural (80m2) – “Science and Nature – Awe and Wonder”

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Vocational Highlights – 2012 News…

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Nomadic Village 2012 – ARTISTS RESIDENCY

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 From 21 May to 3 June 2012, County Durham housed a village within a town, when a ‘Nomadic Village’ of over 30 international artists made its temporary home in Wolsingham.  The artists lived and worked in camper vans, caravans, marquees, a converted police bus and even an adapted milk float based at the Desmesne Mill Picnic Area in Wolsingham.  The 10-day project provided space for professional artists working in a variety of mediums to live and work, engage and interact with the local community and produce work that responds to the location and situation.

The artists came from as far away as Australia and as near as Tow Law, and the work varied from photography, film and digital media to 3-dimensional sculptural pieces. Participating artists were selected based on the quality of their work as well as their commitment to gaining inspiration from their temporary location and their artistic practice of working as nomadic artists.

read more!

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Shamanic Roadkill Cape

Rabbit Skinning Works at the Nomadic Village.

Japanese Wishing Tree

Placenta Art Demonstration

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 7th March 2012 –  Had a good interview with Micheal from “Adventure Journal”, an American website with a focus on the outdoors. They cover hiking, skiing, biking, climbing, backpacking, etc. Dirtbag Gourmet is a column he writes that focuses on all aspects of outdoor eating.

Dirtbag Gourmet: Eating Road Kill

by Michael Frank

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 20th February 2012  – Had an interview with Ben, writing from the Ecologist magazine, as part of a feature on eating roadkill as part of a sustainable lifestyle choice.

Roadkill: sickening or sustainable?

by Ben Martin

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The Cosmic Stork delivered a Norket!!

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This is the best news by far – my son was born!!!

 

MAXIMUS VLADIMIR  aka Baby MAX and NORKET to his nearest and dearest came into our world at 15.15 on a Saturday afternoon, at home, in the water pool.

An Aquarian Water Dragon!!  He weighed 3.33kg.  No drugs or pain relief and no stitches – none were necessary…

He was ROARED out!!!

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My roadkill pies make the ‘Come Dine With Me’ Top 10 Weirdest Dishes ever… Click here! 

24th May 2012 …An interesting claim to fame, lol.

“Waste not, want not! Nomadic eco-warrior Alison Brierly redefined the notion of fast food with her optional starter of pheasant road kill pies – fresh from the tarmac”.

To see CDWM “Roadkill Thrills” clip again Click here or see Full Episode on the old blog.

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 Wild Food Foraging and Roadkill!  BBC Radio York 12th January 2012

12th January 2012 – A very entertaining discussion LIVE on air with DJ Jonathan Cowap and fellow guests Chris Bax who is a wild food forager (www.tastethewild.co.uk) & Stephanie Moon who is a well known chef and food consultant (www.stephaniemoon.co.uk).

The full show is 3 hours long, so start the sliding bar at 1.08.28. Click here & Enjoy!!

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Vocational Highlights – 2011 News…

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The True Story of the Roadkill Cook…

28th December 2011 – I had a lovely interview with Sarah, a food producer with TakePart.com, from Beverly Hills, California.  We chatted about extreme foraging, roadkill recipes and taxidermy art.  She did really nice follow-up piece called ‘The True Story of a Roadkill Cook’.  Click the link above…

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Due to an explosion of recent and slightly inaccurate stories about me, I have posted a blog in response.

Pregnant Woman Develops Sudden Bizarre Craving for Roadkill – What tosh!!

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BURNING MAN 2011 – Rites Of Passage

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This anti-establishment arts festival and survival project, created from the grey alluvium of the Black Rock Desert, leaves its mark in your heart.  It is truly an amazing experience and my RIGHT OF PASSAGE was a success.

Our performance of Mr & Mrs Mud, inspired by our adoptive Asaro tribal family in Papua New Guinea, was a huge success and was very well received.  I was chuffed to have been chosen to receive an award, certificate and medal for our artistic tribal contribution.

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Come Dine With Me – Harrogate

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Earlier this year, after encouragement from friends, I put myself forward as a contestant on Come Dine With Me.  “Nutter!!”  I hear myself say. lol.  They must have thought so too … nomadic, shamanic artist and road kill recycler???  Hmmmmm.  “We’ll have her!”

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…visit the short 3 min trailer below…

Hairy Harrogate & Road Kill Thrills

…blog…

Come Dine With Me

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