{"id":19323,"date":"2022-09-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-19T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=19323"},"modified":"2022-09-22T11:20:36","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T09:20:36","slug":"october-in-the-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/2022\/09\/20\/october-in-the-country\/","title":{"rendered":"October in the country"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pictures \u203a Wildlife \u203a People & Places \u203a Country Know-how \u203a Food<\/p>\n\n

FIELDS OF GOLD <\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

An autumnal sun casts its golden light over the North Wessex Downs in Wiltshire on a tranquil October evening. This gently folding ancient landscape, underlain by chalk, has inspired artists and poets for centuries and this year marks its 50th anniversary as an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Celebrate by exploring the AONB\u2019s \u201850 Things Not to Miss\u2019 \u2013 from Watership Down to Silbury Hill.<\/p>\n\n

CATTLE CROSSING <\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Free-roaming Highland cattle pause while crossing the single-track road that leads through Glen Lyon in Perthshire, described by Sir Walter Scott as the \u201clongest, loneliest and loveliest glen in Scotland\u201d. Curiously, Highland cattle were originally black, until a stray brown strain from Glen Lyon become dominant. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

HOG HIBERNATION <\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

A species in decline in the UK and listed as \u2018vulnerable\u2019, hedgehogs need to feed as much as possible this month, to top up their fat stores before hibernation starts in November. Give them a helping hand by leaving out some wet cat or dog food, and carefully check garden log or leaf piles for hogs before a clean-up or bonfire. <\/p>\n\n

LILAC LIAR<\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

One of our prettiest edible mushrooms, the amethyst deceiver (Laccaria amethystea) <\/em>can be found in mixed woodland of beech and oak from June to November. Its deep purple\/lilac gills, stem and cap can fade to pale brown as its gets older, so be sure not to confuse it with the similar-looking but poisonous lilac fibrecap. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

MONTH IN THE COUNTRY <\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

GOLDEN OLDIE The striking swirl of an ammonite fossil is highlighted by the rays of a rising sun at Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis. Part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, this stretch is known as the \u2018Ammonite Pavement\u2019, due to the number of large fossilised marine molluscs embedded in the limestone ledge, recalling an era, 199 million years ago, when the sea level was higher. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n\n
Look to the heavens <\/h5>\n\n

Magical meteor showers<\/h4>\n\n

Few celestial events are more beautiful than a meteor shower, streams of cosmic debris that enter Earth\u2019s atmosphere at such speeds they leave streaks of light in their wake. Here are six spectacular showers to look for this autumn and winter. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
A man stargazes at Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire during the Orionids meteor shower <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
<\/div>
\n
Star watch <\/strong><\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Discover where the stars we spy in the night sky came from in Cosmic Hunters: Searching Space. <\/em>Available on iPlayer <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

DRACONIDS PEAK <\/strong>
8\u20139 OCTOBER
In 1933 and 1946, Draconids produced some of the most active displays in the 20th century. In recent years, however, it has been a less vigorous meteor shower than most, with a variable rate per hour. <\/p>\n\n

ORIONIDS PEAK <\/strong>
21 OCTOBER \u2013 2 NOVEMBER
Thought to have come from the famous Halley\u2019s Comet, these fast-moving meteors fall at a rate of 25 per hour. The Orionids sometimes produce bright fireballs. <\/p>\n\n

TAURIDS PEAK <\/strong>
12\u201313 NOVEMBER
Slow-moving meteors but sometimes very bright, with an average rate of five per hour. This long-lasting shower occurs every year from late October to the end of November, peaking in mid-November. Watch for fireballs this year. <\/p>\n\n

LEONIDS PEAK <\/strong>
17\u201318 NOVEMBER
Fast, bright meteors with fine trains, associated with Comet Tempel-Tuttle. <\/p>\n\n

GEMINIDS PEAK <\/strong>
14\u201315 DECEMBER
Easier to spot than other showers on this list, this typically has a rate of 150 fast-travelling meteors per hour. <\/p>\n\n

URSIDS PEAK <\/strong>
22\u201323 DECEMBER
This sparse shower produces five meteors at its peak. Associated with Comet 8P\/Tuttle. <\/p>\n\n

ID guide <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Know your oaks<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Autumn is a glorious time to enjoy our woodlands, as greens fade to yellow, red and brown. But one tree conjures a greater sense of majesty and legend than any other. With two native and several ornamental varieties, the oak is found across the UK. Here are six of the most familiar.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n
\n
ENGLISH OR COMMON OAK, <\/strong>
QUERCUS ROBUR <\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A single tree can live for almost 1,000 years and support more biodiversity than any other British plant. If given space, the common oak has the capacity to grow as wide as it is tall, with weighty boughs and thick, almost scaly bark. The leaves have deep, rounded lobes and no stalk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOLM OAK, <\/strong>
QUERCUS ILEX <\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Native to much of the Mediterranean, the holm oak was introduced into Britain in the 16th century and is familiar in parks and gardens. The leaves are glossy, smooth-edged and evergreen, making them conspicuous in the winter. The holm oak is resistant to salt but not frost and thrives near the coast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

TURKEY OAK, <\/strong>
QUERCUS CERRIS <\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Introduced in the 18th century, the Turkey oak was native to the British Isles prior to the last Ice Age. It is relatively fast growing, up to 40 metres tall, with long, hardy and deeply cut leaves. The acorns are distinct in developing from hairy cups, while the tree\u2019s bark is deep grey and often cracked. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
SESSILE OAK, <\/strong>
QUERCUS SESSILIFLORA <\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Also native to Britain, the sessile or durmast oak grows to a similar height as the common oak and, although less common, is equally widespread. The leaves are less deeply lobed than the common and have short stalks, whereas the short, round acorns grow directly off the twigs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CORK OAK, <\/strong>
QUERCUS SUBER <\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another species introduced from southern Europe, the bark of the cork oak, as its name suggests, is used in commercial cork production. The evergreen leaves are similar in appearance to holly, with a shiny, veined upper surface and shallow \u2018spiked\u2019 edges. Most commonly found in south-west England. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NORTHERN RED OAK, <\/strong>
QUERCUS RUBRA <\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Native to the north-west United States, the northern red oak is now naturalised across much of Europe, including the British Isles. This fast-growing tree produces leaves that have pointed lobes and turn a deep reddish-brown in autumn, a quality that has led to their popularity within ornamental planting. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

On the plot <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Jobs for the garden with Rekha Mistry <\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Hey frost, you can\u2019t scare me yet! Halloween isn\u2019t until the end of the month. And I have plenty of tasks to accomplish before that. As cooler nights are drawing in, the last of the winter squash fruits are lifted, brought in and debris cleared. So as not to leave any brown soil patches that can wash away during wet winter, I have sown winter-friendly green manure, too. <\/p>\n\n

Even after many years of following crop rotation, the plot\u2019s edge furrows are still showing signs of sticky clay soil. I reach for the lime container in the shed and sprinkle it along the edges. The plot may have started to quieten down, but I look up and the vista is changing, too. The once-green tree canopy backdrop is going out with a bang! <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

This soft, subtle, colourful carnival glows in amber, brown, red and golden yellow. Like confetti, as the leaves fall, this is my last task of the month. Collect leaves to make leaf mould. Told you I wasn\u2019t finished. BOO!<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Rekha Mistry <\/strong>is a garden writer and recipe developer. Discover more kitchen-garden inspiration at rekhagardenkitchen.com<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

This month on the Plodcast<\/h4>\n\n

A Taste of the Countryside <\/h5>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

This month, our award-winning nature and countryside podcast is heading towards the end of its current season, A Taste of the Countryside, <\/em>which celebrates food and farming. Here are the latest episodes for you to enjoy. <\/p>\n\n

Episode 9 <\/strong>A wonderful opportunity to walk and talk with Wilfred Emmanuel Jones, aka the Black Farmer (below), about his journey from immigrant to landowner and businessman. <\/p>\n\n

Episode 10 <\/strong>Meet Totty Cruttenden, who spends most of the summer rehoming swarms of bees. Join her for a live rescue mission near the New Forest. <\/p>\n\n

Episode 11 <\/strong>Can cattle save the planet? Filmmaker Peter Byck and the Eden Project\u2019s Tim Smit explore the power of livestock to revive our land. <\/p>\n\n

Episode 12 <\/strong>Relax in a naturally farmed vineyard in Kent. Terlingham Vineyard farms in harmony with nature to produce memorable white wines.<\/p>\n\n

bbccountryfile.podlink.to\/plodcast<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\n\n
OCTOBER EVENTS<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

BATTLES, BOOKS, BEASTS AND BIG TREES<\/h4>\n\n

Don\u2019t miss this month\u2019s exciting events, from Halloween trails to literary festivals <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS, EAST SUSSEX<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

15\u201316 October <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

English Heritage\u2019s Battle of Hastings re-enactment returns. Adult, \u00a321 (member \u00a37), child, \u00a312.80 (member \u00a34.50). Family tickets available. english-heritage.org.uk<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

HALLOWEEN AT BLENHEIM PALACE, OXFORDSHIRE <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

21\u201331 October <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Explore an immersive, illuminated trail as you wander from one ghostly space to another. Adult, \u00a317, child \u00a312. Family tickets available. blenheimpalace.com<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

JURASSIC ENCOUNTER ASHTON COURT, BRISTOL <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

15\u201330 October <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Enter an era when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, as giant robotic models of Tyrannasaurus Rex, Triceratops and Diplodocus, as well as lesser known species, hide in grassland and woodland. <\/p>\n\n

WIGTOWN BOOK FESTIVAL, DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

23 September\u20132 October <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Scotland\u2019s national book town, Wigtown hosts the festival with over 250,000 books. A great chance to meet some of the country\u2019s renowned writers. wigtownbookfestival.com<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

THE ENCHANTED FOREST, PITLOCHORY, PERTHSHIRE<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

29 September\u201330 October <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Choreographic creation of dramatic light and sound performances. A night-time spectacular set in Perthshire\u2019s Big Tree Country. pitlochry.org\/events\/enchanted-forest<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

A SENSE OF PLACE, NORTH ALLERTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

3 September\u201326 November <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Joe Cornish Galleries exhibits landscape-inspired black and white photography by Kate Somervell, Patrick Kaye, Paul Sanders and Susi Petherick. <\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

Countryfile on TV <\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
BBC One, 25 September and 2 October <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On 25 September, Joe Crowley is in Brixham on the English Riviera, home to beautiful beaches, lovely coastal walks and one of the UK\u2019s largest fishing fleets. Joe goes on an underwater safari and finds out how disco lights are being used to catch scallops. On 2 October, follow the battle for Britain\u2019s best sheepdog in the annual, long-running and hotly contested competition, One Man and His Dog. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

A taste of September<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

SQUASH, CHESTNUT AND PRETZEL GRATIN <\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Use a good flavoursome squash for this recipe. Steer clear of the carving pumpkins as these are usually tasteless and watery Pretzels may be a surprising addition here (use breadcrumbs if you prefer) but these salty snacks work wonders as a topping for the squash.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
INGREDIENTS <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

\u2022 250ml double cream <\/span>
\u2022 200ml full-fat milk <\/span>
\u2022 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely crushed <\/span>
\u2022 3 sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked <\/span>
\u2022 1 bay leaf, scrunched a little <\/span>
\u2022 Nutmeg, a good pinch <\/span>
\u2022 Salt and freshly ground <\/span>black pepper, to taste
\u2022 800g squash, peeled and very thinly sliced <\/span>
\u2022 50g chestnuts, finely chopped <\/span>
\u2022 80g Parmesan, freshly and finely grated <\/span>
\u2022 30g pretzels, roughly crushed <\/span><\/p>\n\n

METHOD <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

1. <\/strong>Bring the cream and milk just to the boil in a large pan along with the garlic, thyme, bay leaf, a good grinding of nutmeg, a good pinch of salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Add the squash, turn down the heat and simmer gently, stirring often, for about 10\u201312 minutes, until the squash is just tender and cooked through.
2. <\/strong>Heat the oven to 180\u00baC.
3. <\/strong>Add the chestnuts to the cream and squash mix and add half the Parmesan, stirring to combine.
4. <\/strong>Add the squash mix to a baking dish measuring approximately 25 x 20cm, and loosely cover with some foil.
5. <\/strong>Bake in the oven for 20\u201325 minutes, until the squash is soft. Add the pretzels and the remaining Parmesan and bake for a further 10\u201315 minutes, until bubbling and piping hot throughout. 
6. <\/strong>Remove from the oven and allow to rest for at least five minutes before serving. <\/p>\n\n

Claire Thomson <\/strong>is a chef and food writer. Discover more seasonal recipe ideas at 5oclockapron.com<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Photos: Alamy, Guy Edwardes, Kevin Sawford, Getty, Alamy, Jason Ingram, Kate Somervell, Richard Haughton, Illustration: Enya Todd<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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