The Nottingham Forager

06/09/2026

Can you help out wild space?
I'm once again looking for some volunteers, Thursday 10th September.

Lots of different jobs to suit all abilities and lunch included! Please let me know if you would like to attend and we will make sure there's lunch for you.

Windmill Community Gardens - Bobbersmill. Come for as along or as little as you like! Any questions? Get in touch!

04/09/2026

Wild Space Volunteer session Thursday 10th of September. Drop a message to book.

Once I finished filming the cat got a full 5 mins of petting, don't worry.

03/09/2026

THIS SUNDAY 👀👀 Ever fancied growing your own mushrooms?

I have a couple of spaces become available on this Sunday 06/09 session! We will be using recycled materials and native oyster mushroom spawn to make 'Mushroom Buckets' for you to take home.

Tickets are £20 per adult and includes 1 bucket per person. Children are welcome to attend free of charge and help you make your bucket.

There will also be a talk about wild mushrooms as well as a tour of the gardens.

Session is 11am til 1pm.

We will be at Windmill Community Gardens in Bobbersmill which has nearby parking and is on a few different bus routes.

Fancy a go? Get in touch! BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL I have very few of the 'kits' going spare. Message directly to book.

03/09/2026

Yellow Stainer 🍄⚠️
(Agaricus xanthodermus if you're nasty)

I thought my luck was in when I first set eyes on these from afar but 'twas not meant to be. This is the yellow Stainer, looks like a tasty mushroom, but will make ya puke 'til you forget your own name 💀🤮

Good news is they give themselves away by staining yellow with a bit of bashing and scratching. They also have a chemical like smell that lets you know they aren't for dinner. And when young they are quite boxy and square as one of the examples above.

The other good news is if there are popping up, plenty of other stuff is on the way 👀

It's coming home, it's coming home, it's coming.... MUSHROOMS COMING HOME. The season is underway!

31/08/2026

November Session is now full. Still a few spots available on other dates. Get in touch to book!

🍄🏹 Mushroom Hunting - With The Nottingham Forager @ Highfields Park Beeston 🍄🏹

Join me for an introduction to hunting mushrooms in the wild at Highfields Park Beeston. (BOOKING ESSENTIAL);

Learn all about safety, sustainability and legality alongside a little history, folklore and terrible dad jokes.

I can never guarantee what (if any) mushrooms will be around for each session, but we usually have a lot of fun looking! This area has lots of different fungi present and a variety of route options to give us the best chance.

Those lucky enough to find and identify tasty edibles can take their rewards home.

Expect around a 2 - 2.5 hour walk at a steady pace with plenty of short stops. There will be some inclines and steps. The walk will be on paths mostly with detours on to grass / woodland space regularly.

Group size will be remaining small at around 10-15 participants for each.

There is a cafe and toilets on site and it's easily accessible by bus & tram. Parking arrangements vary depending on the day - check online before travel. Free parking is available but sometimes limited.

Sunday 20th September - 12:30pm
Thursday 24th September - 10am
Saturday 3rd October - 10am
Sunday 18th October - 12:30pm
Thursday 22nd October - 10am
Sunday 8th November - 12:30

TO BOOK: Email [email protected] stating which date you would like to join and how many tickets required. You will be forwarded a secure payment link or you can use your gift voucher. BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL.

Adults £20pp (2026 gift vouchers welcome)
Under 18's - FREE!
Dogs - 1 cuddle / smooch

* To those struggling financially who would still like to join in, pop me a message. I can offer a few reduce price tickets to those who need em. FORAGING IS FOR EVERYONE *

31/08/2026

THEY ARE HEEERRRRREEEEEEE!

First successful fungi forage for a long time!

You are looking at a mighty fine CHICKEN of the woods (the yellowy orange one) and ROOSTER of the woods otherwise known as Blackening Polypore.

Both absolutely DELISH and very versatile mushrooms with amazing texture. Both require thorough cooking but the Chicken in particular needs to be prepared well and not everyone can tolerate it so just a small amount for your first try.

They are also relatively easy to identify due to their distinctive features.

I harvested a small amount of each and they will make a tasty tea!

Still not much in the way of ground dwelling mushies but they won't be long now. The mushrooms are definitely on the way!

Spaces are filling quickly for my sessions over the next couple of months, see pinned post for details. My inbox is BUSY at the moment so if you don't hear back after a day or two feel free to poke me again!

If you are heading out on your own mushrooms adventure, just remember to keep it safe, sustainable and legal. And no mushrooms are gonna harm you by touching them, so feel free to give em a prod, sniff and investigate!! No eating until you are sure!

26/08/2026

Who remembers this?

It was really sad to hear the news of Dolly Parton's passing yesterday. I've always loved her as much as her music, an absolute LEGEND of a women for so many reasons.

'Islands in the stream' was played at my wedding (and we are still married so it did the job!)

I haven't successfully made it through the song "Crackerjack" without crying since my old dog passed away.

9 to 5 is one of my favourite karaoke songs / songs to sing when I'm grumpy at work.

And yesterday we listened to loads of her ridiculously HUGE catalogue, some beautiful tracks, she's left us so much!

And it's not just her music I admire. I think Dolly can truly rest easy knowing the world was made just a little bit better for her being here. What a legacy to leave behind.

Rest in Peace Dolly 💓

20/08/2026

Harvest time in the wild space!
None of this is anything we planted, just what we uncovered when turning an old abandoned allotment plot into a wild garden.
We leave the vast majority for the wildlife, but the low hanging fruit & nuts are gathered and shared amongst the community.
Today's favourites were definitely the Greengages (green plums) and whilst the apples can definitely do with a bit longer on the tree, taking a few of the larger ones now will give the rest chance to sweeten. The ones picked today are destined for a pie with a good helping of sugar 😋

Want to volunteer at the gardens? Help is always appreciated! I'll be hosting another wild space volunteer session soon!