Afon Hafren, the river Severn, is a mighty Welsh river. She has shaped many histories and is part of many stories. In Celtic traditions, water is a source of wisdom. In a time of ecological crisis, how can we listen to the wisdom of Hafren?
Sarah Siân Chave takes us on a journey from Hafrens source to the sea, following Hafrens route from Pumlumon in Wales and meandering through England, before she finds her way back home to Wales and to the sea. The journey weaves together Celtic myths, historical and personal narratives as well as Welsh words and ideas.
Hafren not only speaks to the wisdom of this river, but of all rivers, encouraging readers to understand better their place as part of nature. This book will appeal to those interested in nature, sustainability and ecology, and also to those interested in Celtic and Welsh traditions, histories and myths and is evocatively illustrated by Sarahs sister, Rachel Collis.
Opening
Chapter1: Seeking the Source - Pumlumon, Powys
Chapter 2: Growing - from Llanidloes, Powys to Caersws, Powys
Chapter 3: Powering - Newtown, Powys
Chapter 4: Bordering and Crossing- from Rhyd Chwima, Powys to Shrewsbury,
Shropshire
Chapter 5: Meandering Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Chapter 6: Meandering, entwinning, industrializing - from Shrewsbury to
Ironbridge, Shropshire
Chapter 7: Caring - from Shrewsbury to Weston-Under-Lizard, Shropshire
Chapter 8: Carving new routes - Western-under-Lizard, Shropshire and beyond
Chapter 9: Travelling onwards- from Upton Ham, Worcestershire to Deerhurst,
Gloucestershire
Chapter 10: Feeling the pull of the tide, the pull of home: from Gloucester
to Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
Chapter 11: Reuniting, returning, moving onwards - Sharpness, Gloucestershire
to Aust, South Gloucestershire and Chepstow, Monmouthshire
Reflecting
Sarah Sin Chave has over thirty years' experience as a teacher and researcher in further and higher education. She is currently an associate of the education and creativity network at the University of Exeter. Her passions are sustainability, social justice and encouraging educational spaces for exploring new ways of being in the world together. Raised by a Welsh mother in the English Midlands, she enjoys learning about and connecting with her Welsh roots. She now lives in the south west of England near Hafren's banks, which she loves to explore accompanied by family and friends.
