Sisterhood Feasting

For our Houria family,

This is a love letter to our community and Sisterhood.

Our Sisterhood Feast at Boiling Wells was a celebration of the vitality that has been birthed out of Houria. Kim, Houria’s CEO reflected on an early vision she had of our Sisterhood feasting together surrounded by the gorgeous greenery that Boiling Wells offers and here we were, almost a year on, celebrating our beautiful and ever-growing space within the world.

The energy that has driven Houria has rippled out and drawn in a diverse and powerful group of women who all felt called to this vision of Sisterhood that Kim envisaged for Houria.

On the morning of the Sisterhood Feast, I was feeling overwhelmed with stress and exhaustion. I was unprepared for a two-week trip I would be leaving for after our meal. I hastily put as many clean clothes I could find in a suitcase and released all care as I knew I didn’t have the time to contemplate what it was I might need for my time away. I ran to the bus stop, the bus never came and so I had to order a cab. This was not the morning I had intended but it was the morning I had expected. It had been a busy week, but aren’t they all. I am far from seasoned in the realm of adulthood but the general consensus I get is that very few are. I am still unsure if this sentiment is comforting or terrifying but this was not the existential thought I needed to be having at that moment. There was no time and I needed to find my way to Boiling Wells.

Upon arrival, I immediately felt my stress recede. Boiling Wells is beautiful and I felt at home within moments of being there. After some warm embraces, connecting with new and old faces and a nourishing meal, I felt good. Good was a word I remember being told not to use when studying English Literature at school, but in its simplicity I think it says so much.

This was good. Wholly good.

The energy was tangible and heartfelt. The food, the community, the surroundings, the smell of incense, the sound of joy through laughter and honest conversation. All my senses were nourished and my body was in a state of gratitude. These women are incredible and to be in community with them is a blessing. This was celebration in full force and feminine in nature.

We gathered around the fire in song and to share our personal and collective experiences with Houria. Kim shared some of her reflections on the growth Houria has seen and what it felt for her to have this vision of us feasting together come to fruition. The Sisters in attendance shared words on the opportunities that have arisen through their engagement with Houria, and our community of volunteers spoke on what their involvement with Houria looks like. There was a strong sense of gratitude amongst everyone who spoke and appreciation for St Werburghs Farm with whom we have nurtured a beautiful connection over the last few months and who have kindly let us use the space at Boiling Wells for our community feasts.

We said our goodbyes and I left for Manchester feeling full. On arrival, I unpacked my suitcase to find that whilst I had eight pairs of trousers, I only had two pairs of socks. It didn’t matter so much to me anymore.

Written by Abby Mansfield