NATURAL HISTORY & WILD FOOD WALKS ~ NEWSLETTER SPRING 2008

At long last, we now have a programme for 2008, thanks for being patient!
I am very much looking forward to working with Avon Wildlife Trust at the fantastic new Folly Farm (near Bishop Sutton in the Chew Valley). It’s a wonderful location, with lots of exciting conservation and eco-building projects going on. My first events there are on 15 and 27 April, plus the launch of Folly Farm is on 4 May – a day not to be missed!
I’ll also be doing work with the Goblin Combe Environment Centre as well as running afternoon walks and my new 2-day “Backwoods Camping & Bushcraft Expeditions” which include a night out wild camping in wonderful woodland on the Mendip Hills! Inspired by a training event I ran for Mendip Outdoor Pursuits, these weekends seem to capture everyone’s imagination and are a really enjoyable way to get back to nature and learn how to manage in the wild.
As always, I appreciate your feedback on the newsletter, my web site, and any suggestions about activities or courses you would like me to provide. I hope to see you again in 2008 and to share my passion and enthusiasm for this wonderful part of the country with you.

Best wishes, Adrian, www.walkthemendips.com

Contents:

2008 Programme of Events
NEW! Backwoods Camping & Bushcraft Expeditions on the Mendips
Bushcraft – not just for the boys!
Pick of the season ~ Wood Sorrel
Regulars: Foraging Facts, Services, Small print & subscribing details

LATEST PUBLICATION
If you are interested in local history, ‘A History of Blagdon, Volume IV’ includes my chapter on Inclosure Act Field Boundaries. It’s available now to buy at http://www.blagdonstores.co.uk/ or contact Blagdon Local History Society. Email Olga Shotton on local.history@blagdon.org

2008 Programme of Events

Click on banner at left to see programme

NEW! Backwoods Camping & Bushcraft Expeditions

You are invited to take part in a weekend ‘back to nature’ mini-expedition on the Mendip Hills. Blackdown, the highest part of the Mendips, has remained the same for over 2000 years, so this is an opportunity to learn bushcraft and backwoods campcraft skills in one of a handful of truly wild landscapes left in the South West of England.

Day 1: Base to camp expedition

09.30 Introduction & health & safety
Outward leg of expedition from base to woodland camp area, identify wild food along route, archaeology, wildlife, tracking, conservation, natural history, etc.
Setting up camp - Selecting campsite; Location & orientation; Erecting parachute, setting up camp area, followed by lunch
Basic fire making - Safe use of knife and saw; Gathering material for fire; Basic fire lighting techniques; Campfire safety & maintenance; Make our first backwoods brew!
Shelter building - Erecting Bashas; Basic survival shelter building
Cooking evening meal over camp fire - Outdoor food prep
Evening activities - Carving a wooden spoon; Story-telling around the campfire

Day 2: Return expedition

Breakfast & make packed lunch
De-camp - Safe decommission of fire pit; Take down parachute, Bashas & survival shelters; Clear up site
Return leg of expedition via different route
Arrive back at base approx 16.00

The two day & overnight Bushcraft Expedition is £100 per person to include: All tuition, food & drink; Use of a Basha (in place of a tent) for each person.

This is a great weekend for groups of friends or couples, families, birthday, stag, other celebrations or just a refreshing weekend learning & being close to nature. Suitable for all ages, and flexible for all levels of fitness & experience. Get your own group together, minimum 6 people. Limited dates remaining. Any children under 18 must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian.

“The course was fantastic. The quality of the course and food provision was well above my expectations. I can’t wait to find more opportunities to work with Adrian again in the very near future.” Managing Director, Mendip Outdoor Pursuits
“I was really impressed. It was a first class event. Many thanks." BTCV project manager
"Excellent, Surpassed my expectations... was fantastic." Course participant

Bushcraft ~ not just for the boys!

Here is Sara proving bushcraft isn’t just for the boys! During her half day of personal survival coaching with Adrian she learnt how to use a knife safely, to make fire, build a survival shelter & identify some edible foods.

Pick of the Season ~ Wood Sorrel

Here’s my ‘pick of the season’, wood sorrel, but you’ll have to get hold of a copy of The Mendip Times for the full story!

Next time you are out for a walk in a mixed or coniferous wood, cast your eyes to the side of the path and look for a flash of bright green. Found in scattered patches, this plant is a sight to behold when dappled sunlight falls on vivid green leaves. Primarily a woodland plant, it was originally associated with ancient woodland sites but I’ve found it to be most common in coniferous plantations, where it appears to survive the planting of such tree species and tolerates the subsequent increase in shade and acidic soil conditions.

Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) flowers during April and May, producing a delicate flower with five white petals but the leaves look remarkably similar to clover and are believed to be the original shamrock. Indeed, when the leaves are young they resemble neatly folded, bright green napkins!

Historically, wood sorrel was used in sauces for meat and fish but it also makes an excellent garnish for mushroom dishes. April is not a month one would normally describe as magic for mushrooms, but towards the end of the month St Georges Mushroom appears (as with wood sorrel, St Georges Mushroom is also associated with a celebrated day) often in rings in short grass, old pastures and gardens.

For the full article, and photo of Wood Sorrel, see April’s edition of The Mendip Times. http://www.mendiptimes.co.uk/

Foraging Facts
A few notes:
• Avoid poisonous plants or those causing allergic reactions
• Make sure you are 100% sure of your identification before eating any plant – carry a good plant identification book or go with a knowledgeable guide
• Avoid plants near busy roadsides, dog walking areas, or places where chemicals may have been used
• It is illegal to uproot or destroy any wild plant without the landowners permission, but you can pick small quantities of leaves, nuts, fruit from plants on public rights of way
• If you are actively foraging, please only pick a few leaves, flowers or fruits from a number of plants across a geographical area so as not to affect populations, and never pick a whole plant
• Please avoid picking any part of a plant if it is uncommon in the area
Services
Adrian Boots
Adrian is a landscape ecologist, researcher and conservation adviser with a passionate interest in wild food, nature conservation and the history of the landscape. Adrian has a BSc (Hons) in Geography & Environmental Management and MSc in Built Environment Research. He has worked as a Research Associate and Lecturer at the University of the West of England (UWE), has carried out consultancy & corporate training, and worked as a farm conservation adviser helping farmers and landowners achieve greater environmental benefits from their land. He has specialized in raised water levels and currently works for Natural England as a Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer. He is a member of the International Association for Landscape Ecology UK and writes a regular article for The Mendip Times.

Adrian's published work includes research papers at conferences of The British Ecological Society, The British Geographical Society and The International Association for Landscape Ecology. He recently contributed a chapter on Inclosure Act Field Boundaries to ‘A History of Blagdon Volume IV’ (2007) and writes a monthly half page article for The Mendip Times on wild food.

He started ‘Walk the Mendips’ (www.walkthemendips.com) in 2005, and works with The Lakewood Conference Centre, ACF Hospitality, Goblin Combe Environment Centre, individuals from the local community, corporate clients including Yeo Valley and The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. He is a member of Active Mendip.

His ‘Walk the Mendips’ services include:
• Wild Food, Natural History and Bushcraft walks, courses and activities for individuals, groups, families & friends
• Training for professionals working in nature conservation and ecology
• Corporate training, entertainment, team-building and team away-days
• Research, presentations, lecturing and writing publications and articles on landscape ecology, nature conservation, history of the landscape and wild food

Ashcroft House Bed & Breakfast

For peace and quiet, home from home comfort, spotless rooms, breathtaking views and a warm welcome. Ashcroft offers some of the nicest rooms and most outstanding value B&B in the area. Great walks straight from the doorstep.

Tel: 01761 463356, www.cottagebandb.co.uk

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Copyright: All content and photos are copyright Adrian Boots 2007. Photos of Blagdon lake & church, & Burrington, with thanks to Dave Parke.
Contact details : Adrian Boots, Walk the Mendips, Ashcroft House, Ellick Rd, Blagdon, Bristol, BS40 7TU.
Tel: 01761 463356. Email: adrian.boots@onetel.com