FORAGING SHOULD BE A WAY OF LIFE! I add foraged foods to my wedding and party menus wherever I can. One of my favourite wild foods is the humble Nettle. Rich in vitamins A, C, D, iron, potassium, magnesium.. and up to 20% protein, well higher than almost any leafy vegetable! Better yet they are delicious, free and everywhere. Harvest with or without rubber gloves, snip or pinch, you will get stung whatever, it’s part of the fun! Aim for the top young leaves in March …
Anyone aged 11-16 (beginner or experienced musicians) can enjoy making music at The Music Works’ Afterschool Club and Studio Sessions at SoundSpace Studios, Cinderford. Try out instruments, play in a band, use music technology. 11-18 year olds can also book sessions for very low prices. £3 per person per hour, Mondays 3-4.30pm (club). Causeway Road, Cinderford, GL14 2AF. Contact Anita Holford on 01594 825124, email Aholford@themusicworks.org.uk, website www.themusicworks.org.uk
For me, food is one of the most important things I have to think about every day. I am a darned good cook, creating unforgettable flavours from seasonal British ingredients everyday!! But I do get fed up of shopping, planning meals, using things up in the fridge, so like to introduce a bit of imagination to make it all much more exciting. So I mix it up, and that is where foraging kicks in and breaks the cycle. I am not some mega bearded …
Nettle has a unique and delicious flavour. No surprise then that its soups with potato, a luscious risotto, and the various flamiche recipes become favourites. This recipe concentrates the taste of the dark green fleshy leaves with the rustic flavour of toasted sunflower kernels, a soupcon of chilli heat, and the richness of a good olive oil. You could use this forager’s Nettle pesto as a base and build it up with flavours of your own: such as basil, anchovy fillets, Kalamata olives, crab …
Yes – The Forest Bee reaches places other brochures can’t go: Schools: Dean Academy, Dene Magna, Lakers and John Kyrle in Ross, plus a few junior schools around the Forest. Doctors’ Surgeries and NHS health professionals eg nurses gave them out when doing flu jabs this winter Village Agents who support the over 50’s across the Forest, sponsored by Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. Organic Veg Boxes (Forest Food Hub, Field Fayre)Leisure Centres and Gyms Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF) at Belle Vue Centre, Cinderford …
The Forest Bee is fluttering its wings! Our brilliant logo was created and donated to our project by the very talented local cartoonist, Ron Tocknell.