If you go down to the woods on Saturday week, you will be in for a big surprise as Derry City Council is organising two free forest forage events at the Playtrail and Ashbrook House.
The events will take place from 1.00pm to 2.00pm on Saturday, 23 November at the Playtrail in the grounds of Foyleview/Belmont House on the Racecourse Road and at Ashbrook House situated in natural parkland along the River Faughan and are being organised to celebrate the European Week for Waste Reduction, which this year focuses on “Love Food Hate Waste.”
The Playtrail event will involve a guided forage walk of the woodland to discover what edible treats can be found growing on trees and hedgerows. This will be followed by a cookery demonstration, hedge planting and art activities for children.
Christine Doherty, Derry City Council’s Biodiversity Officer said the event would celebrate the importance of hedgerows as a “key habitat” and feature of the Northern Ireland landscape.
She added: “Hedgerows provide food, shelter and act as a wildlife corridor for a variety of species. Discover what food is available in the wild, how to cook it and what animals live and forage in this valuable habitat!”
The Ashbrook event will offer a guided tour of the woodland, followed by a Love Food Hate Waste mobile cookery demonstration.
Ms Doherty said: The campaign encourages us all to reduce the amount of food waste that we produce whilst at the same time helping to save money, as recently published research from WRAP has found that families often waste up to £60 a month on food waste.
Julie Hannaway, Derry City Council’s Recycling Officer said foraging was an “excellent way” to save money on supermarket purchases and teaching us to appreciate the free food that nature has to offer.
She added: “The Love Food Hate Waste cookery demonstration helps us to look at ways to make our money and food stretch that little bit further. “
This event is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Derry City Council. For further information about these events telephone Christine Doherty or Julie Hannaway on 02871 365151.
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