During lockdown, while the shop is closed we are selling fabulous gift sets from MargaretMaySoaps from the Gift Shop using an “email and collect” service.

These luxurious soaps and body butters are locally handmade by our friend Karen Evans.  All her products are handmade in small batches at home on her kitchen table, a stone’s throw from us at Arnos Vale. Her ingredients are natural; she sources carefully and uses the Cold Process traditional method when making soap. Karen is a vegan and mindful of the impact we have on the planet. The processes and ingredients honour the legacy of her grandmother, a Somerset farmer’s wife and are zero waste and/or recyclable.

From this March we are offering:

1. A set of 6 mixed small soaps ‘The Six Pack’ for £18
2. A gift set of ‘Bristol Blue’ includes a lavender body butter, a soap, a moisturising balm for £24
3. A gift set of ‘Luxury Pink Geranium’ includes a lavender body butter, a soap, a moisturising balm for £24.

How to order:

1. Email info@arnosvale.org.uk with your order and your phone number
2. We will call you to take a card payment over the phone
3. Arrange a time slot for socially distanced collection
4. Collect from outside the shop in the East Lodge, near the Bath Road. You can temporarily park outside if you need to

Margaret May cared for her family, home and garden, and like many farmer’s wives back then, she supplemented their income in her own right. She had an entrepreneurial drive and over the years keep chickens, turkeys and geese for Christmas. She had a mushroom farm in the boot room of their large farmhouse and keep bees. Karen has always been inspired by this creative thinking and developed her own range of soap and beauty products, designed with South Bristol in mind.

If you’d like to find out more, email Elspeth on info@arnosvale.org.uk

Other ways we are Celebrating Women this March at Arnos Vale

Jane Duffus, author of the brilliant ‘The Women Who Built Bristol’ will be holding an online talk on March 8th. You can book tickets via our website. Prepare to be inspired and proud to learn more about the great women from all walks of life who made a difference to Bristol in their time! In previous years Jane has held sold-out talks in our Anglican Chapel.

Can you help us?

As a registered charity we rely on the income from events and gift shop sales to keep us going. As a not-for-profit organisation, all our income is put back into preserving, enhancing, and developing this special place.

As a charity we’re facing hugely difficult times. Please donate if you can. Help to support this magical, special place by donating: Text ‘ARNOS’ to 70085 to donate £5. This costs £5 plus a standard rate message or set up a regular donation at Virgin Money Giving.