As the Season Turns

In a Found Sound for January, Alice Boyd visits Dartmoor to record the sounds of this wild place. Walking the windswept tors and woodlands, Alice explores the landscape's natural history, and looks towards its future. Settle in for a relaxing ten minutes that will help you feel part of nature, wherever you are. This episode was produced by musician and sound artist Alice Boyd, featuring music by herself and The Breath. Thanks go to Luke and Caroline of Collihole Farm. 'As the Season Turns' is a podcast created by Ffern in collaboration with Lia Leendertz. Each episode, released on the first of the month, is a guide to what to look out for in the month ahead - from the sky above to the land below. Ffern is an organic fragrance maker based in Somerset. You can learn more about Ffern's seasonal eau de parfum at ffern.co

Unravel the rich tapestry of January through its unique names and folklore. Discover the enchanting transformation in tales like 'Mossycoat,' blending winter magic with heartfelt lessons. Explore the shimmering beauty of wood moss and marvel at the January night sky, highlighting celestial wonders. The beauty of the Rose de Mai unfolds, showcasing its aromatic allure and artistic interpretations. Join folk musicians for a musical interlude that complements these timeless stories, capturing the essence of winter.

February. A song to guard against heartbreak and bad weather. Caneuon y Flwyddyn is an album of Welsh folk songs by Gwilym Bowen Rhys first compiled for the 2023 edition of As the Season Turns. Mastered for Ffern by Geoff Bird. Artwork by Gemma Koomen. © Gwilym Bowen Rhys

March. A very old love song that mentions flowers, birds, melting waxen hearts - and, of course, death. Caneuon y Flwyddyn is an album of Welsh folk songs by Gwilym Bowen Rhys first compiled for the 2023 edition of As the Season Turns. Mastered for Ffern by Geoff Bird. Artwork by Gemma Koomen. © Gwilym Bowen Rhys

June. A song sung in Welsh schools - usually in a round - celebrating the return of the cuckoo. Caneuon y Flwyddyn is an album of Welsh folk songs by Gwilym Bowen Rhys first compiled for the 2023 edition of As the Season Turns. Mastered for Ffern by Geoff Bird. Artwork by Gemma Koomen. © Gwilym Bowen Rhys.

September. A threshing song, written by a farm hand, describing the excitement of the day the steam thresher came to the big farm. The Welsh word for September is 'Medi' which translates as 'reaping'. Caneuon y Flwyddyn is an album of Welsh folk songs by Gwilym Bowen Rhys first compiled for the 2023 edition of As the Season Turns. Mastered for Ffern by Geoff Bird. Artwork by Gemma Koomen. © Gwilym Bowen Rhys.

August. A haunting love song comparing the singer's love, Gwen, to the flowers of summer - as birds of prey circle above. Caneuon y Flwyddyn is an album of Welsh folk songs by Gwilym Bowen Rhys first compiled for the 2023 edition of As the Season Turns. Mastered for Ffern by Geoff Bird. Artwork by Gemma Koomen. © Gwilym Bowen Rhys.

October. One of the many welsh words for Halloween is 'ysbrydnos' which means 'ghost/spirit night'. The singer describes himself tossing and turning in bed - then all of a sudden the ghost of his late lover appears, and starts conjuring up a fancy suit that floats in the air in front of him that he is to wear to go bury her. Very spooky. Caneuon y Flwyddyn is an album of Welsh folk songs by Gwilym Bowen Rhys first compiled for the 2023 edition of As the Season Turns. Mastered for Ffern by Geoff Bird. Artwork by Gemma Koomen. © Gwilym Bowen Rhys.

December. A very old Christmas song, 'On the Morning of Christmas Day' - likely 15th Century. Caneuon y Flwyddyn is an album of Welsh folk songs by Gwilym Bowen Rhys first compiled for the 2023 edition of As the Season Turns. Mastered for Ffern by Geoff Bird. Artwork by Gemma Koomen. © Gwilym Bowen Rhys.

November. A popular 19th-century song that describes how wonderful and comforting the warm hearth and home is when the weather starts to turn, and the stormy heavens 'blow their bugles to signal in the coming of winter.' Caneuon y Flwyddyn is an album of Welsh folk songs by Gwilym Bowen Rhys first compiled for the 2023 edition of As the Season Turns. Mastered for Ffern by Geoff Bird. Artwork by Gemma Koomen. © Gwilym Bowen Rhys.