LandLove Magazine September-October 2013 Edizione posteriore

Autumn is my favourite season of the year. I love watching the colours of the landscape change, from the golden glow of the corn fields at harvest time to the gorgeous rich reds, russets and ambers of the turning leaves as the season progresses. This is also my favourite time of year to go foraging in the hedgerows for delicious ingredients to make jams and jellies from. I’m not the only one who loves this abundant time of year. In this issue we meet doyenne of jam making Gloria Nicol, who shares her passion for preserving autumn’s bounty with us (p.96). We also head to the beaches and hedgerows of St David’s on the Pembrokeshire coast with expert forager Julia Horton-Powdrill, where she tells us why she’s really wild about wild food (p.107). Britain’s
orchards are dripping with fruit at this time of year, and we discover that artisan cidermaking is alive and well down in Kent, when we visit Mark Henderson of the Kent Cider Company (p.36). Another Kentish producer who is keeping a traditional product alive is Alexander Hunt, Chairman of the Kentish Cobnut Association. He shares his passion for this once forgotten little nut with us on page 58 and explains why he’s spearheading its revival. Autumn is also the time of year when hedgehogs are thinking of going into hibernation. On page 90 we look at the lives of these seldom
seen creatures and learn what we can do to help them survive the tough months ahead. Dormice, like hedgehogs, are shy creatures, so few of us know much about them. However, on page 86 we discover what fascinating little animals they are. If you’re looking for things to occupy the kids this autumn, take a look at our feature on page 76 where you’ll find lots of delicious recipes they can cook over their very own campfire. And for those who want something chilling to do for hallowe’en, then turn to page 112 for our look at Britain’s most haunted places to visit – perfect for half-term adventures.