Gillian Edom works as a heritage project manager and oral history consultant in West Sussex. Throughout her life she had a keen interest in the natural environment, botany and the study the relationship between plants, people and cultures.

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Gillian's book 'From Sting to Spin', a History of Nettle Fibre, brings together evidence how nettle fibre was used in many countries around the world from the earliest times up until the Second World War.

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Gillian researched nettles, especially Urtica dioica (i.e. European Stinging Nettles), extensively for years and carried out a postgraduate degree studying nettle fibre extraction at De Montfort University. Her knowledge of nettles includes their biology, botany, folklore and uses, with a special interest in the history of nettle fibre use.

 

Gillian writes:  'I have raised a family, worked as a field study teacher, oral historian, forager, leader of walks and giver of talks.  In my spare time I have written a book about the history of nettle fibre, dabbled in textiles, made paper and grown vegetables.   I'm heartbroken about our loss of biodiversity, social injustice and the overall impact of climate change and people's general lack of concern and action, so I help to create meadows, plant trees and work in the local community to bring change for the good.  I am not a professional photographer and use an ordinary camera to capture the transient details of life that are influenced by shape, colour, texture and perspective.  It's a compulsion. '   

 

She is a heritage project manager in the United Kingdom with a keen interest in the natural world, botany and the study of the relationship between plants, people and cultures.

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More about Gillian:  https://gillianedomsbook.blogspot.com/. 

Associate - photographer