The Forager's Calendar
New Forest Fungus Forays
I plan to take up to five fungus forays in the New Forest this October and now have permission from Forestry England to do so.
The dates available are the 13th and 27th October 2022, with only four places left on the 27th.
If you would like to come along then take a look at the details below and fill in the form at the bottom of the page, supplying the information requested ie. how many adults and children, and which of the days you would like.
Please note that, with considerable regret, no dogs are permitted on these forays. It is my frequent experience that they find the dynamics of the day highly stressful.
I have taken over a thousand wild food forays over the last thirty years, telling the many stories of those things we can eat, those we must not and, equally interesting, those that fall into neither category. I have received many messages from people over the years saying how much they enjoyed the day and how very surprised and delighted they were with what was found.
Please note that my former website, www.ediblebush.com, is now closed.
New Forest Fungus Forays Details
I have just released my foray dates for this October. They are the 13th, 14th, 27th and 28th. Note: all are fully booked except the 13th.
If you would like to book the 13th or 27th October, then let me know which date and how many places your require in the form below. I would then, in due course, invoice you using a reliable online payment system. When paid, I will send you the venue details and other information.
Bookings are accepted on a first come first served basis.
General information about the day:
The general format is that we meet in the Forest at 09:45hrs. The day begins with an introduction and the all important forager's nip (or nips). We then set off into the Forest to look for fungi for two to two and a half hours. Then back for lunch. This is not provided, though there will some emergency crisps and biscuits plus fruit juices and water, and lots of wine, beer and cider. There is no extra charge for any of these. Then we go out again for a shorter walk. We return to set up the 'show and tell' table where everything we collected will be laid out and labelled with common and Latin names. The day ends around 17:00hrs.
I do not know how productive the Forest will be this year or any year, but in all but one or two of the hundred and more fungus forays I have run in the New Forest there has been more than enough to satisfy me and everyone who attends.
The picking of fungi is restricted by order of Forestry England, but we do have permission to collect for the show and tell table. It is an educational foray so we only need one or two samples of each species. No rare species will be collected, just photographed.
Dogs: Unfortunately, and much as I love dogs, they do not fare well on forays. They find a group of people wandering around in random directions highly stressful - I presume they view us in this instance as a very poorly behaved pack! Therefore, and with regret, *no dogs are allowed*.
The cost of the foray is £85 per adult and £20 for anyone from seven to fifteen. There is no charge for zero to six year-olds. The cost includes the charge of around £14 per person made by Forestry England for the permission they have given.
I will bring some of my books with me and have a card reader that usually works in the New Forest, though cash is welcome. If you already have any of my books then please feel free to bring them for signing should you wish.