Course date: Sunday 25th August 2024 at 11am until 2/3pm.
Are you interested in learning more about edible, medicinal, and useful plants but have no idea where to start? Fancy an introductory leisurely wander suitable for all levels of mobility? 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 gentle wander around the beautiful historic village of Madeley Staffordshire (CW3) and listen to stories about the plants and trees that grow abundantly in the area.
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 short walk will take place in and around the village and not require accessing any steep or difficult terrain (mostly pavements or hard-surfaced lanes suitable for mobility scooters) so is suitable for most people. We will be walking slowly in order to spot finds and stopping often to discuss them, but comfortable shoes for walking are recommended, as are clothes suitable for the weather on the day.
After a short walk we will head back to one of the oldest surviving properties in the village to look at the herb and edible garden, examples of fungi, food preservation, wood resins, talk about land access and knife law, and taste some wild teas. There will be lots of books, photographs, and other things to look at.
There are some single steps in the building which cannot be avoided, but it does have a disabled toilet and indoor/garden activities can be done seated.
We never know what the weather may bring, so please dress appropriately and use waterproofs or sunscreen as required, or both – this is a British summer after all! A water bottle is advised. Please also bring a cup for tea tasting.
Feral Therapy is a registered with the Government’s Disability Confident Scheme. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made, please let me know and we can discuss how these may be accommodated. If people are interested in a talk about the subjects covered rather than an activity day, please contact me to discuss this.
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, 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 3-4 hours we will cover:
- Personal safety when foraging
- Foraging and the law, including the law as it pertains to knives, and land access/trespass laws
- Foraging ettiquette
- 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 village – please bring a cup
- 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.
I kindly request no dogs.This is simply to ensure the safety and comfort of all group attendees and to allow access to the historic property. A dog will be present there, please let me know if this is an issue for you so that adjustments can be made.
The walk will begin and end at a central point in the village. The location will be sent you after booking. We will begin at 11am and finish at around 2.30-3pm.
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.