Growing Together in Knowle Park

In August 2024, The Coalition took part in Surrey Hills Society’s Growing Together session in Knowle Park, Cranleigh.

Coalition members and staff got involved by identifying and responsibly picking wildflowers to make clay and flower pressings, and solar prints.

Growing together is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to engage underrepresented communities in the Surrey Hills countryside.

 If you would like to try these at home, read on:

Wildflower Identification

The Seek by iNaturalist app is available to download and use for free from Google’s Play and Apple’s App store. It uses the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you. For more information, please visit: Seek by iNaturalist · iNaturalist

Clay Pressing

You will need:

• Wildflowers (Responsibility picked!)
• Clay roller or rolling pin
• Air Dryer Clay

Instructions:

1. Roll a piece of clay into a ball.

2. Partially flatten it with the clay roller or a rolling pin.

3. Lay a leaf or flowers onto the partially flattened piece of clay.

4. Using the clay roller or rolling pin, gently press the leaf or flowers into the clay.

5. Carefully remove the leaf or flowers.

6. Leave to dry (for up to 24 hours)

Flower Pressing

You will need:

• Wildflowers (Responsibility picked!)
• Absorbent paper (such as, parchment paper, thin cardboard, newspaper, coffee filters or blotting paper)
• Book

Instructions:

1. Open a book and line it with absorbent paper.

2. Place your flowers (as flat as you can) on the page. 

3. Carefully close the book and weight it down – additional heavy books work well as weights.

4. Store this pile in a warm, dry place 

5. Once your flowers are dry, carefully remove them.

Solar/Cyanotype Prints

You will need:

• Cyanotype paper
• Wildflowers (Responsibility picked!)
• Sunlight
• Glass or Perspex sheet
• Water

Instructions:

1. Lay the cyanotype paper on a flat surface outside.

2. Place your wildflowers/leaves on top of the cyanotype paper.

3. Carefully put the glass or Perspex on top.

4. Leave for 10 minutes.

5. After exposing the print, take it to your tap with running water and wash it for a few minutes until the water runs clear.