Course date: Saturday 24th August at 11am.
Are you interested in learning more about edible, medicinal, and useful plants? Enjoy walking in the woods? How about some wild tea tasting too? This may be the course for you!
Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!
Overview
Join me for a hedgerow and woodland exploration around the beautiful countryside near Keele Staffordshire and listen to stories about the plants and trees that grow abundantly in the area. We’ll walk approximately 5-6 miles, covering tracks, footpaths, and woodland terrains.
We’ll learn about the history, folklore, and traditions as well as culinary, medicinal, and other uses for a variety of common plants and trees, and hopefully some fungi depending on the season/weather. Where appropriate, we will also discuss recipe ideas, remedies, and other ways to use what we find.
About the walk and what to bring
The walk will take place on a variety of terrains. Comfortable, durable shoes for walking on tracks (walking boots are recommended), trails, and open woodland are essential, as are clothes suitable for the weather on the day – layers are good, as are long trousers.
We never know what the weather may bring, so please dress appropriately and bring waterproofs or sunscreen as required, or both – this is a British summer after all! A water bottle is advised as we will be out for several hours and insect repellent is a good idea. Please feel free to bring snacks/packed lunch – all rubbish must be taken with you.
We will be tasting some wild teas made from plants from the area, so please bring a cup/mug with you.
Other information
The course is run by a qualified, fully insured forager and herbalist who holds current outdoor first aid certification, up-to-date qualifications, and a lifelong knowledge of the area.
This is an educational walk, we won’t be harvesting our finds so please do not bring knives or other sharps with you (knife law will be discussed).
On occasion, your instructor may pick a small sample to pass around the group to smell, feel, or to illustrate identification characteristics, but otherwise please refrain from touching any plants unless advised that it is safe to do so, some can be rather nasty!
As is the nature of…well, nature…what we find and speak about on the day will be dependent on the season and weather.
On the weather – the course will go ahead in all weathers (unless so severe it would be dangerous). Refunds will, therefore, not be given due to rain or inclement but typical British weather or for bookings cancelled within 72 hours of the day of the course.
Over the course of 4-5 hours we will cover:
- Personal safety when foraging
- Foraging and the law, including the law as it pertains to knives, land access, and trespass
- Foraging ettiquette, sustainable picking & leaving no trace
- Foraging equipment
- Identification, names, & lookalikes
- Umbellifers, fungi, and spotting poisonous plants and fungi
- The secret life of trees and fungi
- Plants, flowers, and grasses for the kitchen and medicines
- Non-edible uses for wild plants
- History, folklore, and interesting facts about plants and the local area
- Basic processing/preserving techniques
- Incorporating a little of the wild into your kitchen, first aid kit, and skincare
- Recommended further reading/research if you wish to learn more
- We will taste some teas made from plants that grow in the area – please bring a cup/mug with you
- A PDF guide to foraging safely and legally, including information on common useful plants and trees will be emailed to you following the course. If you wish to receive a certificate of attendance, this can also be provided. [Please confirm your name and email address at the end of the day]
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please do consider that we will be away from facilities for several hours and walking several miles on unsurfaced paths.
I kindly request no dogs – as much as mine would love to come! This is simply to ensure the safety and comfort of all group attendees.
The walk will begin and end at a central point in the village. The exact location will be sent you after booking. We will begin at 11am and finish at around 3.30-4pm.
If you have any questions before or after booking, please get in touch via hello@feraltherapy.co.uk and I will be happy to help.