Recent Events Report

Sunday 19th October                FUNGI WALK

The weather provided a pleasant dry day afternoon. Nineteen of us set off after a short talk with Dr Mark Spencer from the Natural History museum and the Friends of the London Fungi Group, not expecting too much from the walk as the ground was very dry – but as it turned out we were not to be disappointed.

First to show their heads were the Shaggy Parasol on the way to the formal gardens. Further on and into the rose garden and there was the aptly named verdigris. As usual the fallen Turkey Oak gave us quite a show - Sulphur Tuft, Stump Puffball, Bleeding Oakcrust, Arstist‘s Bracket, Glistening Inkcap, Shaggy Scalycap, Oyster Mushroom and  Bitter Oysterling.

Moving onwards up the path to the woods near to the large patch of gorse, a rare Dyer’s Mazegill (Phaeolus schweinitii) with the sun shining on this magnificent deep yellow bracket fungi it proved to be the highlight of the walk.

Other memorable sightings included Striate Earthstar, Oak Bracket, King Alfred’s Cakes, Beefsteak Fungus and three kinds of funnel fungus, clouded, tawny and trooping – running in a line – towards Crab Hill.

The shapes, colours, smells and names are just so wonderful in the fungi world so often overlooked by most of us, but brought so enthusiastically to our attention on this memorable walk enjoyed by all.

Sunday 16th November            HISTORY WALK

Even on this wet afternoon six hardy souls took a stroll around the stable block and mansion. Mal, the walk leader, explained the history of the buildings, the people who have lived here and the extent of the old estate which today survives as the public open space which is Beckenham Place Park.

Wednesday 10th December      EARLY WINTER WALK

It was a very cold bright day, but there were no takers for this outing. 

CONSERVATION WORKDAYS in OCT, NOV& DEC.

So far the weather has been kind and good progress has been made clearing overhanging and fallen branches by the pathways in Stumpshill Wood. Two sessions on the gorse have cleared a lot of low bramble growth and at the moment (late December) the gorse is flowering. Despite low numbers of volunteers some really good work has been achieved. Well done everyone.