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Our second Canal Walk with Forager Emma Cronin

Our second walk in the Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery project series was a real treat! On Sunday 10 December we were joined by the wonderful *foraging and fermenting specialist Emma Cronin of Wild Pickle. The pre-Christmas period can be very busy for many people, and so it was such a joy to have a couple of hours together alongside the canal, to reset and relax and enjoy nature.

The weather was very kind to us. As in previous days there had been a lot of rain and wind, and so though it was quite muddy the sun shone! We met for a special afternoon walk, along the way connecting with what is growing alongside the water even in winter. It was lovely to welcome back some people who joined us for the first walk, and great to meet some new people too!

The notion of ‘foraging’ has gained considerably in popularity in recent years. Since the pandemic in particular, more people are looking to reconnect with nature – picking wild garlic, or blackberries and scrumping for wayward apples almost becoming a trend. But for our ancestors, foraging was simply a way of life; noticing the fruits of nature in abundance around us and supplementing the diet with the free food available certainly featured in my grandparents’ yearly calendar.

The forager’s code

At the start of the walk Emma introduced us to some of the key aspects of foraging responsibly.

The question of the law was introduced quickly, as Emma talked through the legalities of foraging on public and private land. The Four F’s (fruit, foliage, flora and fungus) are all legal to forage for personal consumption from common land – but not for commercial purposes. Different rules apply to private land.

Beyond the law, there is also a forager’s code, which is about foraging sustainably and in consideration of others, and never taking more than 10% of a plant or flower – and not all from the same plant – so as not to strip all energy from one place.

The most fascinating thing we found out was just how much there is in our environment that is edible. Emma pointed out that there was no need to walk very far at all to find edibles along the canal towpath. We could have stayed very close to the lodge if we wished and it would have been possible to meet tens of edible plants there, but as the aim was to have a bit of a walk and experience the outdoors, we walked in between discovering a good range of plants.

We met so many wonderful edible plants on the walk including:

• clove root or wood avens – can be used instead of cloves
• an abundance of rosehip – 20 times more vitamin C than oranges
• beech leaves in the hedge – great in a salad or brewed to make a tea
• hairy bittercress – a great peppery garnish
• bramble tips – for making a tea or even wine!

Plus many, many more!

Nourishing nettles

It was surprising to find that although it was December there were some fresh young nettle leaves that were perfect for foraging. Emma gave us an introduction to nettles and explained it is the young leaves that are best. And she told us about a nettle appreciation event she has planned for March called Fall in love with nettles! Forage, ferment & feast – where you can harvest the abundant plant and learn how to unlock the nourishing vitamins and minerals it contains while preparing a lovely lunch. Be sure to take your thick gloves!

Emma also offered words of caution on ensuring you know exactly what you are picking. One family in particular – the umbellifers – can be tricky. This family of plants includes edibles such as herb robert (also referred to as herb Robert or herb-robert), cow parsley and hedge parsley. But it also includes and is visually very similar to the deadly hemlock, all parts of which are poisonous. If you’re unsure you can refer to this useful article on some of the common umbellifers of the UK.

Words of wisdom

During the walk so much wisdom was shared, and we learned such a lot about the plants and their networks along the canal. We ended the walk with a very tasty nettle tea. Emma left us with a few book recommendations including Forage: Wild Plants to Gather, Cook and Eat by Liz Knight, and one of my favourites, Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass.

This quote from the book is an excellent end for this post, perfectly summing up everything we learned about the code of foraging on our walk:

“Ask permission before taking. Abide by the answer.

Never take the first. Never take the last. Take only what you need.

Take only that which is given.

Never take more than half. Leave some for others. Harvest in a way that minimizes harm.

Use it respectfully. Never waste what you have taken. Share.

Give thanks for what you have been given.

Give a gift, in reciprocity for what you have taken.

Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever.”

―

Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

Join us for more!

To make sure you are kept in the loop with updates on the walks including any rescheduling due to the weather, .

Saturday 13 January I 11am – 1pm I Biodiversity Walk: Artist Anna and the group will be joined on this walk by a special guest! Andrea Ku is a beekeeper and biodiversity specialist of B 4 Biodiversity, whose aim is to raise the awareness of urban biodiversity through educational, practical, and creative projects. During this deep winter walk you will explore what is happening in the landscape at this time of year.

Saturday 3 February January I 11am – 1pm I Group Walk: Anna leads another walk on the theme of the natural environment of the canal as a green asset for Kidsgrove.

Saturday 2 March I 12 – 3.30pm I Foraging & Biodiversity: For the final walk in the series there will be a focus on foraging and biodiversity with forager and fermenter Emma Cronin of Wild Pickle. This is a great opportunity for those who missed Emma’s walk in December to learn about foraging, and for those who did make the first foraging walk to find new things to eat as we head into spring. The route will take you along the path of the Staffs University Fine Art Student Art Trail. And there will be an opportunity to get involved with a hands-on activity.

You can also do a self-guided walk any time you chose with this handy guide exploring the Victorian language of floriography:

Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery Walk One Guide in Word

Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery Walk One Guide in PDF

Do you have something you’d like to share with Anna about the canal, the plants or animals that live there? Get in touch at a.m.francis@staffs.ac.uk

Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery is a partnership project by Appetite and Canal & River Trust. Appetite are supported by Go Kidsgrove to deliver projects in Kidsgrove.

 

Anna Francis is an artist and researcher whose work promotes discussions about the spaces where we live through art. She is co-director of The Portland Inn Project.

Want to know what else is going on?

Visit the What’s On page for events and go to Get Involved for more opportunities. For regular updates, why not subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook @appetite.stoke, Instagram @appetite_stoke, and X @appetitestoke.

A stormy start

As part of the Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery project I have planned a series of walks over the next few months until March. Usually starting at the Harecastle Tunnel, the weekend walks will take on different themes all considering the natural environment of the canal as a green asset for Kidsgrove.

For my introductory walk my aim was to introduce myself to people in Kidsgrove, walk together, and meet some of the plants and trees of the canal. I planned a route that encouraged people to take a look at what is still visible above ground at this time of year, using the locks and bridges of the canal as way finders to identify species.

When we met on the canal side on Saturday morning I invited walkers to take up the challenge of being a ‘human noticeboard’ and speak for two minutes about a local project or organisation, or a personal connection to Kidsgrove.

As with all outdoor activity we are subject to the weather, and Storm Ciaran meant that our first walk had to be postponed by a week, finally taking place on Saturday 11 November. Unfortunately, that meant that some people could no longer join the group walk. Luckily the helpful handout that we used on the day can be printed to help you navigate the route yourself.

Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery Walk One Guide in Word

Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery Walk One Guide in PDF

The route

Starting from the lodge at the northern entrance to the Harecastle Tunnel, we walked north towards Kidsgrove train station along the Trent and Mersey Canal, ending just before Bridge 135 at Church Lawton.

Here are the points where we stopped to meet each plant:

• Lock 42, Limekiln Lock: burdock
• Lock 43, Red Bull Lock: stinging nettle
• Lock 44, Yewtree Lock: elder
• Lock 45, Kents Lock: fern
• Lock 46, Townfield Lock: comfrey
• Just before bridge 135, Church Lawton: oak

In total the walk is just under a mile long in one direction.

Meet the plants!

During the English Victorian era floriography was the practice of sending secret messages through the gifting of flowers. This special language assigned a meaning to a variety of plants and flowers. Even the hand that was used to pass the flowers over had a meaning: yes, if passed from the right hand or no from the left.

For each Lock between the Limekiln Lock 42 and Bridge 135 there is a chosen a plant to meet. They are listed below along with their meaning according to the Victorians. I have also used a whole host of herbal remedy and magic books to glean a bit more information about them. I am particularly enjoying using my Granny’s copy of Culpepper’s Colour Herbal.

Burdock = Importunity

First stop was Lock 42, where you will first meet a burdock plant, a really interesting plant whose roots have been used for centuries as a digestive aid and diuretic. We probably know this plant best for its inclusion in the drink dandelion and burdock. Medicinal uses of burdock include as a blood purifier, and the leaves have been used to cool ulcers and sores. A powerful antioxidant, the root of the burdock can be very long and creamy in colour, and should be harvested in autumn.

Nettle = Slander

Lock 43 brings us to the stinging nettle. The irritant substance that causes the stinging sensation when the nettle is touched is a mixture of both formic acid and histamine. Extremely rich in vitamins and minerals – iron, and vitamins A, C and K – the plant has a variety of culinary uses. It can be used in teas, soups and as an alternative to spinach in all manner of dishes as well as being dried to make nettle salt. It has been used to treat may ailments too including eczema, asthmas, and hay fever. It also has a number of bug and butterfly species that rely on it as an important food plant.

Elder = Zealousness

At Lock 44 you meet a really wonderful old elder tree, growing along the old farm wall. Throughout history the elder has been regarded as quite a magical tree. In the middle ages it was believed that a goddess with the power to decide your luck, happiness and help lived inside; to cut or burn the elder was to release the goddess who would take her fortune with her.

The bark, leaves, flowers and berries all have medicinal properties, but of course are also known for their use in cordials, wines and jams. My children take a daily Sambucus Nigra supplement which is said to support the immune system. The birds have had all the berries for this year, but if you are quick next year, perhaps you could pick some and make powerful elderberry cordial to see you through the winter.

Fern = Sincerity

Lock 45 provides an opportunity to appreciate the ferns that are still looking very green and healthy. Fern is not recommended for use by the home herbalist as it can have some really unpleasant effects if used in the wrong way. One old folklore belief was that as the ‘seeds’ (spores) of the fern are invisible, they can be eaten or carried to become invisible. In medieval times the fern was used for the treatment of dandruff, alopecia and kidney stones. Often called ‘living lace’, fern can be used in soap making, as fertiliser and for bleaching fabrics.

Comfrey = Home Sweet Home

At Lock 46 you carefully make our way to the other side of the canal for a moment, to meet a very healthy patch of common comfrey. A common herb, the plant has many uses including as a potassium-rich fertiliser for the garden (especially tomatoes) and as an instant compost. The roots and leaves are still recommended today as an external application for wounds as it contains a substance (allantoin) that speeds up the healing process of bruises, cuts, sprains and sores. In an emergency in the field a poultice can be chewed up and applied. Other names for it are boneset, knitbone and bruisewort and slippery-root.

Oak = Hospitality

Towards the end of the route before turning around you meet a great oak that is growing beside Bridge 135. One of our most recognisable trees, the oak produces flowers in the form of catkins, and seeds in the form of acorns. Acorns are a good food stuff for squirrels of course but can also be ground up to make a coffee of sorts. An oak tree can be a host to a colossal 2,300 other wildlife species, providing vital space to eat, shelter and breed for plants, fungus, animals and birds.

Regarded as the tree of life, the oak has been thought of as a guardian; in some parts of the UK wearing an oak leaf was thought to give protection. It is also believed that knocking on an oak tree will bring good fortune, which may have originated from the tradition of knocking on wood for luck.

A brilliant walk

On the walk back we discussed the other species we noticed along the way, and chatted about how beautiful autumn is with its russets, golden yellows and crispy leaves underfoot. And Carl from Canal & River Trust who pointed out many amazing details about the canal, and showed us how to open and close a lock.

There were some very special moments on our first walk.

Freda, whose mother had been born in a long-gone house beside the first lock we came to, told us about her grandparents. She then read us a story she had written about a trip through the Harecastle Tunnel.

Dee, a regular walker along the canal, told us all about the walks she takes and what the canal means to her. She gifted us with a gem – the word ‘gongoozler’ – which is new to me, and according to Wikipedia means ‘a person who enjoys watching activity on the canals of the United Kingdom.’

Everybody really enjoyed the walk, and there was some lovely feedback. I hope to see you for the next one!

Join us for more!

To make sure you are kept in the loop with updates on the walks including any rescheduling due to the weather, .

Sunday 10 December I 1 – 3pm I Foraging Walk: On this winter foraging walk you will be joined by forager and fermenter Emma Cronin of Wild Pickle. Along the way you will note the surprising number of things that can be foraged in December, and also get an overview of the Forager’s Code of Practice.

Saturday 13 January I 11am – 1pm I Biodiversity Walk: Artist Anna and the group will be joined on this walk by a special guest! Andrea Ku is a beekeeper and biodiversity specialist of B 4 Biodiversity, whose aim is to raise the awareness of urban biodiversity through educational, practical, and creative projects. During this deep winter walk you wil explore what is happening in the landscape at this time of year.

Saturday 3 February January I 11am – 1pm I Group Walk: Anna leads another walk on the theme of the natural environment of the canal as a green asset for Kidsgrove.

Saturday 2 March I 12 – 3.30pm I Foraging & Biodiversity: For the final walk in the series there will be a focus on foraging and biodiversity. PLUS you will walk along the path of the Staffs University Fine Art Student Art Trail, and have the opportunity to get involved with a hands-on activity.

Do you have something you’d like to share with Anna about the canal, the plants or animals that live there? Or have questions about becoming a Human Noticeboard? Get in touch at a.m.francis@staffs.ac.uk

Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery is a partnership project by Appetite and Canal & River Trust. Appetite are supported by Go Kidsgrove to deliver projects in Kidsgrove.

 

Anna Francis is an artist and researcher whose work promotes discussions about the spaces where we live through art. She is co-director of The Portland Inn Project.

Want to know what else is going on?

Visit the What’s On page for events and go to Get Involved for more opportunities. For regular updates, why not subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook @appetite.stoke, Instagram @appetite_stoke, and X @appetitestoke.

Hear more from artist Anna Francis as she prepares for the first of the Nature Recovery Community Walks along the canal at Kidsgrove.

Conversations with the community

The Get Talking Kidsgrove event took place on Thursday October 5^th in Kidsgrove Sports Centre. I was really pleased to be invited along to talk to community members about the Nature Recovery project that I am starting with Appetite. In particular I wanted to talk about how people feel about the canal. I got the train to Kidsgrove train station and had a little walk along the canal before heading to the sports centre. 

Although it is very much autumn already, I was keen to see what might still be growing along the cut. It was surprising how much colour there still is as you walk along the edge of the water, in terms of flowers and leaves. In fact, I was delighted at the strength of orange of the water, which varies in its intensity each time I visit.

What I found growing along the canal side was a pleasing number of plants with herbal properties. I collected a good range to take with me as a starting point for conversation with community members. My aim was to talk about a number of things with people in relation to the canal.

First, I wanted to explore if people walk along the canal, and if so, how they feel when they are walking. In particular I wanted to know if people feel safe, and their reasons for visiting. I also asked if people would be interested in walking with me if I were to host a series of Community Walks between now and next March.

I had some really great conversations with people, all telling me that they walk the canal regularly. Some us it because it’s a good route to get from ‘a to b’ quickly. Others walk and run there for health and well-being. Overwhelmingly, people felt safe to walk the canal in the day, but not so much at night (a couple said they didn’t want to fall in, as it is dark).

I had a lovely discussion with a young man who likes to run along the canal, who said:

” You know that feeling when have been away and then you get home? That’s how I feel when I visit the canal. “

People expressed that the canal is a place of calm – with one individual describing the canal as their sanctuary. We talked together about recognising the canal as a nature haven, and I heard a number of times that people visit to look at the trees and plants, and that it can provide a feeling of well-being.

Plants along the canal

I shared the range of plants that I had found along the canal and noted that quite a few have life-giving properties. It struck me as interesting, that the sense of calm and well-being expressed by visitors to the canal is relevant to the plants that are growing there. I found sow thistle, whose medicinal uses traditionally have included as an anti-inflammatory, a painkiller and an antiseptic. Herb Robert which has been used to treat nosebleeds and stomach upsets, and coltsfoot which if made into a tea has been used to treat asthma, sore throat, wheezing, bronchitis and laryngitis.

These are all wayward plants, that have self-seeded along the canal side, and I have begun to wonder if a purpose planted herbal bed could supplement these *self-propagated herbalists. The other thing that struck me, in relation to the plants growing along the canal, was the opportunism of some of the self-seeders that had managed to grow in the tiniest of pockets. ‘Pockets of opportunity’ – something to think a bit more about.

The first community walk

People were really interested in joining a community walk. Many expressed interest in being joined on those walks by specialists in a few areas:

• Herbal plant specialists, who could lead a foraging walk to help us identify further herbal species along the canal
• Heritage specialists that could link the natural ecology to the history of the canal
• An ecologist that could help us understand any endangered species along the canal, and how we can better support them

All brilliant ideas!

The first community walk will be on Saturday November 4th, 11am to 1pm.

We will meet and set off from the lodge on the Kidsgrove side of Harecastle Tunnel. I would like to invite organisations and people already connected to the canal in some way to come along and be ‘Human Noticeboards‘ – local group representatives, organisers, makers, doers and practitioners – to speak for around two minutes about your interests and activities, and signpost to ways that people can get involved. You can share your information in any way you feel, from straight informative delivery, to personal anecdotes.

See you there! Anna.

How to join in

You are free to join the walk on the day, however it would be helpful if you could register via Eventbrite in advance so that Anna knows how many people to expect.

Do you have something you’d like to share with Anna about the canal, the plants or animals that live there? Or have questions about becoming a Human Noticeboard? Get in touch at a.m.francis@staffs.ac.uk

Glossary

Biodiversity – the different types life (plant, animal, fungi) in the location or area. This project aims to map and track different species to gain an understanding of the variety and numbers.

Ecologies – looks at the relations of living organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings. In this project, we are using ecology to describe the relationship between living things, including humans and other species.

Propagation – the breeding of specimens of a plant or animal by natural processes from the parent stock.

Kidsgrove Canal Nature Recovery is a partnership project by Appetite and Canal & River Trust. Appetite are supported by Go Kidsgrove to deliver projects in Kidsgrove.

 

 

 

Anna Francis is an artist and researcher whose work promotes discussions about the spaces where we live through art. She is co-director of The Portland Inn Project.

Want to know what else is going on?

Visit the What’s On page for events and go to Get Involved for more opportunities. For regular updates, why not subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook @appetite.stoke, Instagram @appetite_stoke, and X @appetitestoke.