Let July’s warmth fuel your dreams

July is the seventh month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars. Its length is 31 days. It was named by the Roman Senate in honour of Roman general Julius Caesar in 44 B.C., being the month of his birth.

In The Ancient Meadow

The beginning of the month sees meadows fizz and hum with life: bumblebees coming to the end of their lifecycle for another year, solitary leaf-cutter bees appearing to swim over great knapweed flowers to collect pollen. Some greater knapweeds will be seeding already, and goldfinches will gather to take their seed, ensuring they drop plenty on the ground to provide the knapweed for next year.

We are entering the 'Dog Days', the time when summer can reach its hottest and closest. Everything, even the growth, so rapid through spring and early summer has slowed. The living is lazy, dogs snooze in the shade.

The name Dog Days comes from the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, the dog star. It cannot been seen right now as it is almost in conjunction with the sun, but its helical rising, one of the most important astronomical vents in antiquity follows this. The name Sirius is from the ancient Greek for 'scorching' or 'glowing'. The alliance of the brightest star in the sky with the sun was thought to bring about heat, temper and fever.

Featured is a stunning purple leather Myntti box bag crafted by our student Helen. It’s a timeless design brought to life with a bold, vibrant hue—ideal for any season.

July also means Open Studios here in Hebden Bridge we would love to see you in the studio !