Forage with Col AND Nicola Burgess - Gin & Wild Food and Nature inter-connections

Super special Autumn Foraging Walk at Middlewood Trust!

Middlewood is an ace place... I went there a loooong time ago; we were looking for a campsite in the area, had no luck, and then saw a little sign that simply said "Middlewood". I thought, that looks interesting... I knocked on a door in the pouring rain, and they said that we could camp on a small field near the house. The next day the weather brightened, and I went for a wander... only to discover people living in yurts, some in a beautiful roundhouse, a Steiner school, and a building which acted as a community hub. All set on a wooded hillside that led down to Roeburndale valley... and a mile further downstream was a camping barn - where I stayed a few years later and discovered that a starling was, quite literally, the early bird, who came tapping VERY LOUDLY on the window if you slept past dawn: AAARRRGGGHHH! Very wonderfully, magically, annoying ha ha!

This valley is ace for foraging, and mushrooms are POPPING this season. So, I'm teaming up with Nicola, who has been involved with Middlewood for years, to run this extra special extravaganza.

Gin, foraged food, species identifications, habitat literacy, and a little bit of Embodied Foraging... we have a very special day planned.

OK, enough of my 'off the top of my head rant', and here's a bit of text I prepped a bit more carefully! (I do think that in this age of AI, an off-the-top-of-my-head-rant may well be welcome!)

This is a chance to slow down, tune in, and explore the subtle rhythms of the forest. We’ll learn to confidently identify a handful of common mushrooms, understand the ecological roles of fungi in woodland systems, and talk through key features that help with safe identification.

We’ll also introduce some ideas from Embodied Foraging — a sensory approach to nature connection that invites you to notice how we move through the woods, what draws our attention, and how we build a relationship with place through more than just facts and species lists.

Practical Info:

This is a relaxed, slow-paced walk, covering around one to two miles depending on detours and discoveries. Some of the paths are uneven, and if it’s wet, the ground can be muddy or slippery in places. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring waterproofs.

We’ll take a break mid-way through the walk for lunch, and we aim to collect a few wild edibles (where appropriate) and if we collect enough we will finish with a tasting session featuring a simple mushroom fry-up.

What to Bring:

Boots or wellies

Waterproof clothing

Packed lunch and snacks

Foraging basket or field bag (optional)

Knife & ID books if you have them

Staff or walking stick (optional)

Notebook for your observations

Booking & Refunds:

No need to print your ticket — I’ll have your name on the list.

Refunds: You can request a refund directly via Eventbrite up to 7 days before the event. If I can re-sell your ticket, I’m happy to refund up to the day before. Same-day cancellations usually can’t be refunded.

Email contact: I’ll send all updates to the email you used for booking. If you prefer a different method of contact, message me on 07984 123891 or 07583514707.

Roeburndale valley offers a peaceful and varied woodland setting to build your foraging confidence, deepen your understanding of fungi, and enjoy an autumn day outdoors. All levels welcome — no prior experience needed.

Looking forward to sharing the trail with you!

Col & Sadie

Forest Horizons

www.foresthorizons.co.uk (http://www.foresthorizons.co.uk)

Description supplied by the event organiser.