We’re pleased to welcome Dr Ceri Houlbrook to the Moot for the first time. A respected figure in the wider folklore and pagan community, Ceri brings real depth to this year’s Anniversary programme. As Senior Lecturer in Folklore and History and Programme Leader for the MA Folklore Studies at the University of Hertfordshire, her work explores ritual practices, popular beliefs, and how traditions adapt in modern society. For the Anniversary Event, Ceri will speak on British coin‑trees, the subject of her PhD and her book The Roots of a Ritual. Once used as folk‑remedial offerings, coin‑trees have seen a surprising resurgence in the 21st century. Her talk examines this tradition’s past, its revival, and the question at the heart of her research: why do people insert coins into trees today?
Ben Stimpson
As the Moot marks its anniversary year, we’re delighted to welcome Ben Stimpson to join us in person at last. A long‑distance friend of the community, Ben has supported the Moot for years — recommending speakers and helping us grow from afar — so his presence now that he’s back in the UK feels both fitting and long overdue. Ben will share his work on the folklore of witches and cunningfolk, from witches stopping carts and turning into hares to the everyday skills of cunningfolk who found lost animals and unravelled witchcraft. An award‑winning writer and researcher specialising in British folklore and folk magic, Ben brings a lively and insightful perspective to this special occasion.