I’ve always dreaded the onset of autumn.
As an optimist, I prefer the anticipation of what’s to come, rather than harvest.
Spring is my favorite season, with its bright buds and brilliant blossom. Second best is summer, with long daylight hours always a source of pleasure.
I can even reconcile myself to September for its often bright, crisp days and occasional spell of Indian summer weather. But the arrival of October, with shortening days and falling leaves, has until this year made my spirits sink.
Fresh hope appeared on my trip to Rodmarton Manor last month for the Gloucestershire Guild’s Craft Alive fair on the theme of “Flowers and the Maker”. This clever title referred not only to a huge variety of flower-themed products on sale and the skilled craftspeople who had produced them, but also to the idea of Nature’s Creator: God, if you like (and I do), or any other force or energy you believe drives the season’s changes.
Part of the event was Bex Partridge’s stunning installation of dried flowers and foliage in the chapel called ‘The Beauty is in the Decay”.
(Unfortunately, photography was not permitted inside Rodmarton Manor, so I can’t share any of Bex Partridge’s installation with you. The photo of the dried flower arrangement at the top of this post is of an arrangement at our Harvest Festival service at St Mary’s Hawkesbury last Sunday.)
Her description of autumn as ‘a time of tidying up and letting go’ resonated with me, both literally, as I embark on a post-summer declutter of my house and garden, and figuratively, as I ponder on changing the way I spend my time.
(Long story short: I’m always over-committing myself, and I need to cut down and prioritise for the sake of my sanity, my health, and my sleep schedule.)
The installation urged visitors to slow down in order to appreciate the intricate beauty of nature at this time of year. Bex pointed out that only in autumn and winter can we see the architecture of trees and plants, unadorned by flowers and foliage. This observation also struck home with me. One of my favorite local views is of wintry skies behind the row of leafless trees that tops the escarpment beside the A4, just this side of the Roman Camp petrol station.
Bex also observed that once flowers die, that’s not the end for them: they keep changing. I’d never thought of that before. Now I want to fill my house with dried flowers, and to watch and wait as they continue to evolve.
On my drive back from Rodmarton Manor, a new calm fell upon me. Instead of being saddened at the sight of browning leaves on the trees that lined the road, I began to look forward to their winter transformation.
In any case, I reasoned, it wouldn’t be long until we were gearing up to go the year round again, whether we measure the rebirth of the year as Advent Sunday (sneaking pleasingly into November this year, falling on the 30th), the winter solstice of 21st December, or New Year’s Day, 1st January. While at Christmas we’ll be embracing evergreens, deciduous plants will enjoy a well-deserved rest, storing up the energy they’ll need to delight us again in the spring.
So now I’m entering autumn feeling more upbeat. This might even be the year that I learn to love October.
Ever the optimist.
(This post first appeared in my column for the October 2025 issue of the Hawkesbury Parish News)
IN OTHER NEWS
Two new events are looming up on my calendar:
SOUTH DEVON BOOK FESTIVAL
(Saturday 22nd November)
At this event, I’ll be interviewed about my books and my writing life, and I’ll also have a stall for selling and signing my books. Admission is free, leaving you more money to spend on books. Book your free ticket here.
University of Gloucestershire Creative Writing Festival in Cheltenham
(Saturday 29th November)
At this Festival, I’ll be a member of two different panels, one on Community Publishing, when I’l be speaking about the work I do to nurture writing and publishing within my local community, and the other on Paths to Publication, when I’ll talk about the different viable routes, including self-publishing, digital-first publishing, and traditional publishing. Book your free ticket here.
WHAT I READ LAST WEEK
A Christmas Murder in Merrywell
I was asked by Jane Bettany’s publisher prior to this book’s publication to read and review it as part of their marketing campaign. I’m always slightly wary of these requests, as I only want to offer endorsement quotes on books that I genuinely enjoy and heartily recommend. And hurrah, this was one such book!
It’s a gentle, absorbing mystery that combines the timeless appeal of a quaint English village in Derbyshire with relatable realities of modern life and relationships, set around a Christmas market.
This is far more than just a satisfying mystery well told – it also includes lots of pleasing human touches, such as Violet’s mother’s concern about her daughter’s placing herself in danger. I also enjoyed the realistic and respectful interaction between Violet and the local police, making this a plausible and pleasing case.
Although this is Violet Brewster’s fifth mystery, it also works well as a standalone story – which I enjoyed so much that I’m now going to go back to the beginning of her adventures and acquaint myself with books 1-4 via Kindle Unlimited.
Like to read it yourself? Click here to order your copy.
