Things to do in Wales this week

This week (16, 17. 18 Feb) we have "drop in " activities in the Aqualab (aka Discovery Centre). These will include painting, close up looks at plants, and possibly chats about plants and medicine depending on which of our volunteers is present. We are in the grey buildings across the lake just after the Gatehouse - pop in and chat!

The weather looks OK for the week, so should be some good photo opportunities.

birthday presents

We all enjoy receiving presents on our birthday so we, the volunteers and members, are going to give the Garden a 10th. birthday present by collecting our small change and bringing the pennies, or hopefully pounds to Linda by the end of March.
We are also going to raise funds by holding a plant fair in May where volunteers and members will have stalls selling their own homegrown plants. Local gardening groups will be selling their plants.There will be other stalls, books and a raffle.
Volunteers form the largest department in the Garden so let's get saving pennies, sowing seeds and taking cuttings so that we play our part in the birthday celebrations.

Fungus on decayed beech twig

Our resident scientist, Natasha de Vere, examines a tiny fungus discovered on a decayed beech twig. This was on one of the Waxcap Discovery walks in the fields opposite the lakes. We discovered over 18 species of waxcaps and associated fungi, which makes the site nationally, if not internationally, important.

The main field is on a steep slope and partly because of this has been ignored for regular grazing, and never ploughed/fertilized as it is useless for growing cash crops. This is why it is such a species rich area of undeveloped pasture - wild plants/fungi have developed to thrive in such conditions.

Apothecaries Hall

Education Department had a useful "inset day" with Gareth Evans in the Apothecaries Hall. The history of medicines was discussed, with many anecdotes. One of the intentions is to increase the use of the Hall for talks, as it is a great venue to discuss plant medicines. The film show can be changed by replacing the digicard in the player - this has opened up a lot of possibilities.

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