Folklore & Uses of Native Plants, a talk by Roy Vickery to the Leigh-on-Sea Horticultural Society, Essex,  on Saturday 5 January, 2.00 for 2.30 p.m.  For details see the Events page on this website.

Report:  About 45 people turned up to a talk which focussed on the folklore and uses of  seven common plants:  ash (Fraxinus excelsior), bramble (Rubus fruticosus), burdock (Arctium spp.), elder (Sambucus nigra), groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), ivy (Hedera helix) and nettle (Urtica dioica).  During the following discussion people recalled, amongst other things, collecting rose (Rosa canina) hips for making rosehip syrup, and using nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) to prevent cramp.