Do you know your Collared Parachute from some King Alfred Cakes? Or maybe you are more familiar with Honey Fungus or a Giant Puffball? These are all from the intriguing world of fungi, brought to life by Tim Kaye from Cultivating Learning and Nature (CLaN) when he visited Peterstow WI in October.

Tim started by saying he aimed to bring the world of fungi alive and the slides that he showed really illustrated the different forms that these important parts of nature can take. There was the familiar Honey fungus which can be quite destructive if it appears in your garden and the Inkcap which, in its common form can cause you serious problems if you eat it alongside drinking alcohol. In fact the main message that some took from this talk was that fungi can be varied, attractive, tasty but also deadly so it is important to “know your stuff”.

CLaN is working in Herefordshire to help people get involved with recording wildlife in the county. Having heard this presentation has made the ladies of Peterstow WI more aware of the nature that is all around us and its complexity as well as its beauty.