Just Wild About Fungi, Foraging And Hedgerow Food

Food And DrinkLifestyle

Do you know your death cap from your dryad saddle or the difference between a rosehip and a rowan berry?

Yorkshire wild food specialist Craig Worrall is hoping to dispel some of the myths and fears behind foraging as he unlocks nature’s larder for visitors to this year’s Harrogate Autumn Flower Show (18 – 20 September).

Craig, from Edible Leeds – Wild & Wonderful, is taking part in the show’s new Harvest and Hedgerows activities with a series of talks and demonstrations aimed at reconnecting people with the wild edible foods from their natural world.

Happy to harvest his dinner from the local hedgerows and woods, Craig will be guiding visitors through the cornucopia of free food available on their doorsteps, including the feast to be had from Yorkshire’s coastline. He will also be touching on the medicinal aspects and benefits of many species.

A careful and common sense approach is the key to successful foraging for Craig, as he explains: “There has been a lot of fear and folklore about foraging, in particular about fungi, but this used to be second nature to us and we just need to rediscover the skills and knowledge of past generations.

“You certainly do need to know what you are looking for, but you are more likely to come across fungi that are simply inedible, rather than poisonous. Education, experience and knowledge are key.”

Craig, who lives in Leeds, runs regular courses and walks in the area on finding, cooking and preserving seasonal wild food in a sustainable and sensitive way.

He added: “It is important to make sure that we, as foragers, don’t move in and strip an area. There needs to be mindful harvesting to maintain the balance between what we need and what the natural world needs to continue to thrive.”

Other Harvest and Hedgerows activities planned for the autumn flower show include cider pressing, Yorkshire wine, green wood turning, dying and weaving with natural colours and flowers from the field, plus hedgerow friends from the Wildlife Haven Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Thirsk.

Rated in the top three UK gardening events by Which? Gardening, Harrogate Autumn Flower Show is staged at the Great Yorkshire Showground. Attractions include Inspiration Street show gardens, giant vegetable competition, a new Plant Pavilion and over 5,000 beautiful autumn blooms in Britain’s biggest exhibition by specialist gardening groups.

For more information about Edible Leeds – Wild & Wonderful, visit www.edible-leeds.blogspot.co.uk

Harrogate Autumn Flower Show Tickets: Fri/Sat £14.50 when purchased before 8 September; £17.00 on the gate. Sun £13.00 in advance or £15.50 on the gate. Under 16s go FREE when accompanied by an adult. Book on line at www.flowershow.org.uk or call 01423 546157.

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