HighwoodsPreservation Society

ONE of the morning's heavy showers did not deter members of the public from responding to the invitation by High Woods Preservation Society to take part in one of the charity's autumn fungi forays.

More than 30 people took part when in the temporary absence of society president Alan Malpass, treasurer Alan Dengate, assisted by committee members Chris Ashford and John Heasman, led a quest last Saturday for the season’s fungi bounty.

This is proving to be a bumper year for fungi and in recent weeks volunteers on the society’s frequent woodland work-parties have found many remarkable examples while working on path clearance, bridge maintenance and the like.

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Saturday’s foray leaders were therefore confident that they would have plenty to show their visitors. They were not mistaken.

A heavy shower struck the group just as Alan Dengate was giving his introductory address. But the party pressed on regardless and were amply rewarded.

Alan said later: “We found a reasonable amount of fungi, including a very nice Beef Steak and a fresh Stinkhorn.”

The visitors clearly enjoyed their exploration. There was £32.63 in the society’s collection tin at the end of the walk to add to the £23 collected at the end of the previous Wednesday’s half-term guided walk through the 87-acre beauty spot which the society has cared for since 1980 as a wildlife habitat with free public access under a management agreement with Rother District Council.