Group go wild in country

Jun 10 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

TIPS on how to survive in the North East countryside were on offer at a special event for members of The Journal Culture Club yesterday.

Scores of members who are nature lovers foraged for their own wild food at a special day out in County Durham’s Hamsterley Forest, courtesy of the Forestry Commission.

Forest ranger Neil Taylor treated the group to home-made nettle soup as well as spruce tea made from the needles of the tree, and some cooked rosebay willowherb, a natural delicacy which tastes like asparagus. Jill Steenberg, 50, of Corbridge in Northumberland, who took part in the event, said: “It was really interesting and great to be able to do something a little bit different.

“We were able to potter around the park and the highlight for me was being able to taste everything. The nettle soup was quite tasty and I’d consider making some myself after today.”

Malcolm Dunsire, 57, of Chapel House, Newcastle, said: “It was very enjoyable and interesting to discover how many ordinary, everyday things are actually edible. It was rather a novelty.”

Mr Taylor explained that wild food is very seasonal, so the group was limited to trying mostly leafy herbs such as ground elder, otherwise known as bishopweed. He added: “A number of common weeds are edible and some also have medicinal qualities, such as cherry bark which is used in very small quantities in cough medicine but contains cyanide, and willow bark, which is high in aspirin.

“The event was a great success and our events programme includes more wild food tasting days, including one that’s coming up in the autumn.”

For more information on the events held at Hamsterley Forest, call (01388) 488312, or for more information on The Journal Culture Club, call Rachel Suddart on (0191) 201-6369.

Fantastic offers for members

THE Journal’s Culture Club offers members the best opportunities to explore the cultural diversity of the North East.

It provides exclusive offers at arts venues, museums, galleries and businesses. Members also benefit from discounts at leading attractions, shops, hotels and restaurants – all for an annual membership of £10. Current offers include:

:: Exclusive VIP preview invitations to the Baltic

:: The chance to join an Irish dance master class

:: £5 off wine this summer at the Treehouse Restaurant in Alnwick Garden

:: Discounted tickets for events including classical music at Newcastle’s Mansion House

Join today on www.thejournalcultureclub.co.uk