I love the sound of this talk and I have signed up to the online version. ‘Explore the modern reimagining of the Hag, a powerful goddess rooted in folklore, through film and fiction. Followed by Q&A.
The Hag, a sensual, powerful, older sovereignty goddess, has recently resurged in contemporary culture, from movies like “Weapons” or “Hokum” to books by Sharon Blackie and Manchán Magan. But where does this figure originate from? What is her significance in terms of our collective past, present and future? How does she speak to our contemporary anxieties?
Join author and researcher Dr Tracy Fahey for a deep dive into the backstory of the Hag, or Cailleach, and explore her complex character revealed through folklore. Long reduced to a symbol of fear or ridicule, the Hag is now being reclaimed as a figure of power, transformation, wisdom, and resistance. Drawing on folk tales, film, and contemporary media, this talk will explore the Hag’s complex and ambiguous nature, and how she has become deeply tied to questions of ageing, femininity, nature, and power.
Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!
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Speaker Bio:
Dr Tracy Fahey is an Irish author and academic. Fahey holds a PhD in the Gothic and lectures in creative writing, folk horror and contemporary Gothic at the Limerick School of Art and Design, TUS. Her writing has been awarded the Rubery International Book Award, the Paul Cave Prize for Literature, and a Saari Fellowship from the Kone Foundation. Fahey has been ALSO a keynote speaker, presenter and panellist at conferences, symposia and conventions in Ireland, the UK, the US and more. Fahey’s recent writing explores the intersection between female folklore and midlife anxieties, such as They Shut Me Up (PS Publishing 2023, shortlisted for a British Fantasy Award), Queens of the Crone Age (2026, PS Publishing) and Women Changing (2027, Fly On The Wall Press).’
Great news. Nan Goldin is going to be back in London in the shape of an exhibition You Never Did Anything Wrong at the Hayward from Nov 24th. ‘Nan Goldin returns to London.
Her first UK institutional exhibition since 2002 brings together iconic photography and powerful moving-image works spanning five decades of her life and practice – from her intimate documentation of queer culture, relationships and addiction to her more recent work.
Named one of The Guardian’s best art and architecture exhibitions of autumn 2026.’
i-paper report. We always get excited when we hear of this kind of arrangement. It brings hope to a bleak arena. ‘Helpful Housemates is a firm that finds lodgers for people such as Anthea, who have space and may be looking for help in the house
“Living here is benefiting my soul and wellbeing and mental health – you can’t put a price on those things,” says Jadav.’
4. I didn’t know this - grief and bereavement is now on the curriculum at schools.
‘This week on Dying for a Cuppa®, I’m welcoming back my friend and regular guest, John, Past President of the National Association of Funeral Directors and someone who has spent years advocating for change within the world of death, dying and bereavement.
John lost his mum when he was just 12 years old, and that experience has played a huge part in his determination to improve how we support and educate children when it comes to death and grief.
And now, after years of campaigning, we’re seeing some really important changes.
From September 2026, grief and bereavement education is being introduced into the school curriculum in England, and John joins me to explain what this means, why it matters and how it may look for children in primary and secondary schools.
We talk about why children deserve honest, compassionate and age-appropriate conversations about death, and why waiting until a child experiences a bereavement simply isn’t good enough.
John also shares how this work is attracting interest internationally, including in Australia and New Zealand, and talks about the resources available to help schools and families.
He has also cowritten a book, Don’t Tell the Children with Clare Shaw Children’s Books .
You can also find John’s own podcast, DACI Death, a Changing Industry, where he continues to challenge conversations and advocate for change.
I’m incredibly proud to call John my friend, and so grateful that he continues to give his time to these conversations.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher or simply someone who believes we need to do better for our children, please do give this one a listen.’
5. Women in Art featured this powerful image from the Depression era in the US.
‘Dorothea Lange’s photograph “Stenographer with Mended Stockings,” taken in San Francisco in 1934 and printed in the 1950s, captures a moment of resilience and vulnerability during the Great Depression. The image portrays a young woman, her mended stockings symbolizing both her struggle and determination.
Lange’s ability to convey deep human emotion and social commentary through her work highlights the challenges faced by individuals during this tumultuous era, making it a poignant reflection of the time.’
Delighted that Andy Goldsworthy’s Fifty Years won the Sky Arts Award for Visual Art.