HAVE YOUR SAY ON RURAL ISSUES
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LETTER OF THE MONTH
MULBERRY MUSING
I really enjoyed the BBC Countryfile Magazine podcast episode with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, which was full of his cultivating and foraging energy. And it was great to hear your enthusiastic discussion with the team afterwards, especially when it came to the mulberry tree versus mulberry bush debate.
It may be right that it is better to cultivate the mulberry as a bush, as they tend to become at risk of collapse as they grow older, but there are several venerable trees dotted around the country. Perhaps the most famous of these are the two to be found in Stratford-upon-Avon at New Place, the site of William Shakespeare’s grand old house. The trees are said to be descended from the very tree planted by Shakespeare during the time mulberry trees were introduced to Britain by James I in order to encourage a home-grown silk industry; the king chose the wrong type of mulberry, so the scheme never succeeded.
Shakespeare’s mulberry tree became a lure for tourists in the 18th century, so much so that the then owner of New Place had it chopped down. But an enterprising early merchandiser bought up all the wood and created souvenirs from it. Many of these bardic relics survive today. Meanwhile, the Stratford trees are still thriving, their fruit staining the hands of tourists to this day.
Editor Fergus Collins replies:
A wonderful insight into the history of the mulberry tree (or bush) in the UK, thank you. Poor old James I. For those who haven’t listened to that podcast with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, it is available on all good podcast providers and is episode 167. Read more in our feature with Hugh inside this issue.
THE PRIZE:
This month’s star letter wins a Feuerhand Tamber Tabletop Grill worth £89.95. Perfect for a garden barbecue for two, after lighting the charcoal, the Tamber grill is ready to use in 15–20 minutes. Remove the lid and use it as a heat-resistant coaster underneath the grill, and its non-stick enamelled grate is dishwasher safe, too. whitbyandco.co.uk
A GOOD YEAR FOR FUNGI
“Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom.” Thomas Carlyle
Thank you for the advertisement feature in your October issue, titled ‘Foraging for Fungi’ – guidance from the Woodland Trust.
I walk my pack of dogs twice daily and most of our walks are taken in the local woods. After reading this advertisement, I couldn’t help but start to spot mushrooms during my walks and I’m surprised that I have never noticed this above-water coral-reef world before. I didn’t quite realise how many variations there are – apparently more than 15,000 species in the UK alone!
While I did try and spot the ones listed in the article, I’ve not been lucky yet. However, I have spotted over 70 other types over the past week or so.
With a packed agenda every day, I didn’t think I had time for a new hobby, but who knew? It doesn’t take me much more time to stop and look and as I’m able to walk the dogs at the same time, it actually relaxes me more.
Combining dog-walking and mushroom-hunting is not easy; the new-found love I have for this diverse species has made me more considerate in how I walk my dogs, trying to keep them on the paths and dedicated routes is a must, especially during these autumn months. I am now chair of our own mushroom association; the only members are my partner and dogs so far, but I hold the title of master mushroom hunter/protector. It’s about quality not quantity, right?
I share a few snaps of my favourite finds (above).
Editor Fergus Collins replies:
How brilliant to be chair of your own mushroom association. Many congratulations! Wonderful images, too.
STEWARDSHIP OF THE LAND
The right to roam can be an emotive, contentious issue, particularly in England where some respond by asking: “Would you want a stranger walking through your garden?”
Many countries, including Scotland, Wales, Norway and Italy have introduced the right to roam without any major problems. With it comes a countryside code of conduct and responsibilities. It might be an idea to introduce every child to this code in primary school. As a lifelong walker, I have been aware of the lack of ethnic diversity among those I encounter on paths and trails. This is changing and it can only be a good thing. If we are to restore our rivers, woodlands, wildflower meadows, substantially increase biodiversity and prevent further degradation, it will require a concerted effort from us all. To paraphrase Wendell Berry: people defend what they love and we love what we particularly know.
The right to roam raises the whole concept of land ownership. To the Native Americans, the idea that any individual could ‘own’ the land was beyond comprehension. They were part of the land and the land was part of them. Had we adopted a similar attitude we might not be facing the panoply of problems that now confront us. I personally believe there is still time to prevent the worst scenario, but we will need to see ourselves as stewards/guardians of the land and not owners.
AFFORDABLE ENGLISH WINES?
I read with interest Oz Clarke’s article on English wines in your December issue. It is important to support local businesses, especially since Covid, and to buy locally. I use local businesses and suppliers 99% of the time. However, if Oz’s top 10 English wines are any indication of prices for English wine then I certainly won’t be buying it. The cheapest still white he included was £18. I wouldn’t pay that for a bottle of wine if Oz gave me the money!
It may be excellent quality, but who can afford these prices? Only the privileged few can afford to pay that. Most people are on a budget now, so come on Oz, suggest sensible, affordably priced wine, not top quality out-of-reach wine.
POETRY CORNER
FLAX
I watched the piece on growing flax on Countryfile recently with great interest. Some months ago, I read about scraps of fabric made from flax being discovered in archeological digs. So I wrote a poem about it and wanted to share it with you. A theme I have is how people are much the same as always, just in different eras and circumstances.
I wonder at the first one who found that flax could become a thread to spin, a cloth to wear from a peasant’s smock to cat-walk high-step, elegant shape,
from a classic Grecian drape to the finest, crispest, linen sheets.
How did they learn, make the leap,
to find those grassy stalks could be
soaked, beaten, dried, and combed,
form drifts of silken golden tresses
like those of many a fabled goddess?
Who knew when those fragile summer-sky blue blooms could fade to apple-pip seeds that yield to oils and foods to heal the rich, to feed the poor? What could we say to reach across
from Palaeolithic cave recesses to our strangely fragile, modern houses?
The more I learn, the more I search,
I find time has made our distance vast,
yet we remain well grounded in the past.