Autumn’s Abundance
The Beat of Nature’s HeartFiona Bennett-Meere
Wildlife & Community RangerThis week, my husband and I went to hear Kate Mosse speak at the Henley Literary Festival programme. I adore her writing and, while she is perhaps best known for her historical fiction (including the Languedoc Trilogy, which are personal favourites of mine) she was there to talk about her new book Autumn: The Story of a Season*. This is an exploration of nature, the changing landscape, folklore and history of her native and much-loved Sussex. Autumn is a deeply special season for me and my family. It was my late father’s favourite time of year, drawn as he was to the changing kaleidoscope of colours across the landscape. It’s since become a tradition for my husband and I to perform our own autumn ritual; spinning in circles and kicking leaves at each other brings out the inner child in both of us! During spring and summer, leaves are full of chlorophyll, the green pigment that helps trees make food from sunlight. As autumn arrives cooler weather signals trees to prepare for winter. Chlorophyll production stops and the existing pigment breaks down, revealing the vibrant colours beneath – the yellows, oranges, reds and purples that I love so much, before the trees shed their leaves and prepare for their winter dormancy. Sloes and Sweet ChestnutsNear my home, Fallow Deer begin to rut, their haunting calls reverberating across the valleys where we walk the dogs. The soft, silvery seed heads of Traveller’s Joy appear in the hedgerows and Hedgehogs are in foraging overdrive, building up their fat reserves before hibernation begins in November. Autumn is also a wonderful time for humans to forage. Sloes are ripe for the picking and sweet chestnuts will soon drop (we love roasting them over an open fire outside) - and have you ever harvested rosehips? These can be made into a delicious syrup, naturally high in vitamin C and well worth the effort! During the Second World War, when citrus fruits were in short supply, the Government launched a National Rose-Hip Gathering campaign, with pickers paid 3d for every pound of hips collected. I love the changing seasons and the beat of nature’s heart reassuring me that everything carries on. There is something rather wonderful about simply being outside, being present and watching it all unfold. Enjoy AutumnFor tried-and-tested recipes, I recommend and use The Forager’s Calendar by John Wright. Click through the website for a wealth of other information. *Winter and Spring are also available, written by other authors.
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