Foraging Fortnight set to expand in 2020
NIKI TENNANT
Guided outings, talks, workshops and cookery demonstrations will be on the expanded programme for the next Foraging Fornight in Lanarkshire.
The festival aims to encourage people of all ages to become more aware of the benefits of wild plants around us.
125 people took part in 11 Lanarkshire events as part of last year’s programme.
They ranged from the chance to explore the wild flowers and fungi of Lanarkshire at Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve, hedgerow and fungi walks at Lanark Loch, a bramble bounty event at Heron Farm Shop near Strathaven and a wild tastes walk and cookery demonstration at Carmichael Estate near Biggar.
Foraging Fortnight 2020 is likely to include an even greater programme with the return of some popular activities.
These will include events at Lanarkshire community orchards with energy-giving walks among the apple blossoms that run the length of the Clyde Valley and a number of wild foraging walks taking in rolling hills, meandering rivers, and diverse woodlands .
Yvonne Howley, project development officer for the Lanarkshire LEADER programme – part of the 2014 to 2020 Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) supporting economic and community development in rural areas – said: “I’m delighted with the success of our first Foraging Fortnight and the range of events on offer. These were events that appealed not only to local communities in Lanarkshire but drew in visitors to the region, and of course was a way of showcasing the diverse and beautiful rural landscape of our region.
“I look forward to revealing the line up for 2020’s Foraging Fortnight in the spring and am sure it will capture the imagination of people across Lanarkshire and beyond.”
Those looking to run an event as part of Foraging Fortnight 2020 should contact event manager Wendy Barrie on wendy@ wendybarrie.co.uk.
For more information, visit www. foragingfortnight.co.uk.