Latest news with #woodland
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
From picking berries to apple trees – three ways to forage for wild treats
NATURE'S larder is bursting with foody delights right now. Spending a day foraging for wild treats is enjoyable for all ages and totally free. But you must avoid private land, and always respect the countryside. Here's what to look for . . . BERRY NICE: It is the start of blackberry season — they can be used to make delicious jams and crumbles, or eaten on their own with cream and a dusting of sugar. You will find brambles along hedgerows, on the side of country roads and even in wasteland. Just watch out for the prickly branches and pick berries that are dark purple for the best taste. Elderberries are also ready for picking now. Find Elder trees in woodland or hedgerows with the berries hanging in little clusters. The dark purple berries can be used to make cordials or jams. NOT SO WEEDY: Many plants that are considered weeds found in gardens and woodland areas can actually be eaten. The Woodland Trust says that greater plantain can be eaten at this time of year. Look for its small oval leaves with veins running down it. Blanch, then sautee with butter for the best taste. Young dandelion leaves can be picked, washed and added to salads. Nettle leaves are also packed with vitamins and minerals. Use gloves to avoid being stung and pick the tips for the best flavour. You can wash and use with hot water for a health-boosting tea or try rustling up a delicious soup. I get $60 meals for FREE by foraging - I scored oysters and clams during my last trip FEELING FRUITY: Crab apples trees are found across Britain with apples ready for picking from now until autumn. The fruit turns red or orange when ripe. The Woodland Trust recommends using the apples for a glowing jelly that is delicious on bread or to accompany meat. When foraging just remember to only take what you need and only what you can identify with certainty. There is a range of foraging recipes at plus pictures to help identify plants and fruits. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability. 7 Deal of the day DECK out your garden area with this corner-sofa set, down from £299 to £174 at Tesco, in stores only. Cheap treat CURE a snack attack with these garlic bread-style tortilla chips, new in at Co-op, £1.25. Top swap ELEMIS marine oil, £57.60 from Boots, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines on the face. But you can tackle aging at a lower cost with Aldi 's Lacura marine oil, £3.99. SAVE: £53.61 Shop & save ADD a playful element to your kid's bedroom with this football-pitch rug, down from £13 to £5 at Hot right now AT get a £5 voucher on Tesco Whoosh orders with no minimum spend. Offer lasts until the end of August. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 7 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket. The more codes you enter, the more tickets you'll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Community group raises money to buy woodland
People in Stroud have successfully raised £66,000 to purchase a local woodland. The community benefit society, Stroud Woodland, are now in the process of purchasing Slade Wood, with the hope of protecting it for future generations. Slade Wood forms part of continuous woodland beginning above Summer Street and extending along the Slad valley to Swifts Hill. Co-director of Stroud Woodland , Ben Spencer describes the wood as "a little pocket of woodland which is really treasured". More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire The Stroud Woodland Community Benefit Society was set up in 2010, to purchase Folly Wood, just north of Stroud. "What people really enjoy is having the opportunity to spend time in the space on their own or with their family, at Folly Wood," said Mr Spencer. This week, the group announced it had raised the necessary £66,000 to buy Slade Wood, a steep three-acre piece of woodland on the edge of the Slad Valley, on the outskirts of Stroud. "Because it's tucked away, it's a bit of a hidden gem," Mr Spencer said. Members of the public who bought shares to fund the purchase will get no financial return. Mr Spencer insists the benefit is social and environmental. "It's for people taking some time out. People locally have grown up and visited it over the years, as kids and teenagers, as well as parents of young children," he said. Once they have taken ownership of Slade Wood, the group plans to keep it open to the public, as it was under the previous owner. "We thought there was a danger it could be bought privately and fenced off with people no longer able to have access to the space," Mr Spencer said. On the environmental side, the group points to successes at Folly Wood where the creation of clearings and ponds has increased biodiversity. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Campaign launched to buy waterfall beauty spot We bought woodland where we walk our dogs for £900k Woodland at Unesco site for sale after 300 years
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Slade Community group raises money to buy 'hidden gem' woodland
People in Stroud have successfully raised £66,000 to purchase a local woodland. The community benefit society, Stroud Woodland, are now in the process of purchasing Slade Wood, with the hope of protecting it for future generations. Slade Wood forms part of continuous woodland beginning above Summer Street and extending along the Slad valley to Swifts Hill. Co-director of Stroud Woodland , Ben Spencer describes the wood as "a little pocket of woodland which is really treasured". The Stroud Woodland Community Benefit Society was set up in 2010, to purchase Folly Wood, just north of Stroud. "What people really enjoy is having the opportunity to spend time in the space on their own or with their family, at Folly Wood," said Mr Spencer. This week, the group announced it had raised the necessary £66,000 to buy Slade Wood, a steep three-acre piece of woodland on the edge of the Slad Valley, on the outskirts of Stroud. "Because it's tucked away, it's a bit of a hidden gem," Mr Spencer said. Members of the public who bought shares to fund the purchase will get no financial return. Mr Spencer insists the benefit is social and environmental."It's for people taking some time out. People locally have grown up and visited it over the years, as kids and teenagers, as well as parents of young children," he they have taken ownership of Slade Wood, the group plans to keep it open to the public, as it was under the previous owner. "We thought there was a danger it could be bought privately and fenced off with people no longer able to have access to the space," Mr Spencer said. On the environmental side, the group points to successes at Folly Wood where the creation of clearings and ponds has increased biodiversity.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Science
- BBC News
Ennerdale's hairy ant experiment to make forest more resistant
An experiment to make woodland more resilient has seen hairy wood ant nests relocated across England moved six colonies with thousands of ants from Cropton Forest in North Yorkshire to Ennerdale in Cumbria, in a bid to bring back lost wildlife species and support Gardner, from Forestry England said the project in the Lake District would help "rebuild complex forest communities" that can better deal with extreme weather, climate change and organisation said hairy wood ants' nests, which are mounded and can be up to 6.5ft (2m) high, are ideal habitats for over 100 species including beetles, hoverflies, mites, woodlice and other ants. "[Hairy wood ants] can reduce plant damage by keeping herbivorous pests away," a spokesman explained."However, other herbivores, with adapted ant-defences, can thrive." This is the second phase of the project, with nests already relocated earlier this year using a different method, and early signs suggest they had been "unaffected by the journey".Hayley Dauben, Forestry England's species reintroduction officer who is leading the project, said they would closely monitor how the colonies establish themselves and any differences between the two methods."The next crucial milestone will be in April 2026 as the ants emerge from their period of winter hibernation," she added. Forestry England has worked on the project with the University of September, the organisations will collaborate to support a PhD to help study the wider impacts of the project at Ennerdale. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
North Devon woodland gets new benches and fitness equipment
New benches and fitness equipment have been installed in woodland in north Devon, the council has Devon Council said new oak benches and trim trial equipment were installed at Yeo Valley Woodland, in Barnstaple, thanks to a council said the former Frankmarsh and Gorwell Community Association donated £6,000 to the Friends of Yeo Valley Woodland which said the new additions made the woodland more welcoming and accessible for visitors looking to relax or be member for climate and biodiversity councillor Ricky Knight said it was a "fantastic example of local people investing in the future of their community".
