The Stove NetworkAn Arts and Community Organisation
The Stove Network
This month, the Stove’s Reel to Real Cinema programme returns with documentary film, The Nettle Dress, exploring ‘hedgerow couture’ and slow fashion, and the power of nature and craft to support us through times of grief.
Textile artist Allan Brown spends seven years making a dress by hand just from the fibre of locally foraged stinging nettles. It’s how Allan survives the passing of his wife, leaving him and their four children bereft, and how he finds a beautiful way to honour her.
Stunningly filmed by award-winning documentary maker Dylan Howitt, The Nettle Dress follows Allan’s journey through seasons and years, foraging, spinning, weaving, cutting and sewing the cloth, before finally sharing a healing vision of the dress back in the woods where the nettles were picked, worn by one of his daughters.
A labour of love in the truest sense, The Nettle Dress is a modern-day fairytale and hymn to the healing power of nature and slow craft. It’s one story representing a huge groundswell of people rediscovering the joys of making.
Reel to Real Cinema is a monthly film space in the Stove Cafe, featuring an eclectic mixture of conversational films – from artist made shorts to feature length documentaries, locally made to international cinema. A space for discussion and thought-provoking films, you are welcome to join us after the film for a short discussion about the themes from this month’s selection. The Stove Cafe will be open from 5.30pm – 7pm with a special pre-film dinner option alongside hot drinks and cakes.
Access Information: Level Access in rear of building through adjacent close to left-hand side of the Cafe (facing the front of the building). To ensure your experience with us is as best as it can be, please do let us know if you have any specific access requirements and we’d be happy to help. Please email Kevin or Sal on: [email protected] or phone 01387 252435 and speak with one of our team. We are able to provide walk-throughs of the building before attending our events as well as assign seating before your arrival.