10 November 2008 - Just been made aware of some comments on Trip Advisor regarding the recent 3 day mushroom weekend at Nunsmere Hall - these are as below and thanks to the providers of these much appreciated remarks. It does indeed make it all worthwhile.

MAGICAL MUSHROOMS

"I've just got back from a fabulous weekend fungi foray at the Nunsmere Hall Hotel. As a beginners guide to the huge variety of fungi that can be found if you know where to look, it was superb. From the moment we arrived to the moment we (reluctantly) left, my friend and I had a fantastic time.

The standards of care and attention to detail were excellent. The hotel staff were without exception friendly and helpful, the food was fantastic, the rooms comfortable and the actual fungi experience was perfectly pitched, enough information to be interesting, but not too academically oriented. The inimitable Fungalpunk Dave and his very knowledgeable wife Gill and daughter Katie provided us with a real experience.

I would heartily recommend this weekend event to anyone who wants to have a wander round some lovely grounds, be entertained and educated and eat wonderful food in beautiful surroundings with some very good company!"

Laprinceshazzy (2 Nov 08)

MUSHROOM HUNTING A MUST

Just wanted to share our fantastic weekend at Nunsmere Hall mushroom hunting last weekend.

We initially were attracted to the hotel from the pictures on the website as it looked like the ideal venue for a romantic getaway for the weekend but when we discovered that there was a mushroom hunting package available we jumped at the chance and I can say it was one of the best experiences we've had in a long time!
-Firstly the hotel is as beautiful as the pictures suggest, long winding drive, scenic grounds to walk in, well appointed rooms and huge comfortable beds.
-The staff are fantastic, attentive and friendly, nothing seems to be too much trouble and you feel well cared for
-The food is superb and being a chef always researching I should know!
I just wanted to thank everyone involved from the staff to the other guests on our hunt especially Mark the general manager and his family for making the weekend such a great experience and our mushroom guide Fungalpunk Dave and his family for giving me a new love of fungus!
If you get the chance to visit the area I strongly recommend a stay at Nunsmere - expensive but worth every penny!!!

Cate A (7 Nov 08)

3 November 2008 - Just completed a lovely fungus weekend at Nunsmere Hall with some cracking company. Cheers to Mark for asking me to lead the walks and for the excellent hospitality. Here's a picture:-

11 October 2008 - CLIP from recent copy of the Northwich Guardian

FIND OUT MORE FUNGAL FACTS ON A WOODLAND TOUR

Fungal fans can get up close and personal in Marbury Park this Saturday, October 11. Friends of Anderton and Marbury (FoAM) are inviting members of the public to join a fungal expert, from Fungal Friends, to explore the woodlands wide range of fungi.

The fungal expert, who goes by the name of Fungalpunk Dave, will be leading two sessions through the woodlands and will be introducing people to the various fungi.

The free event is especially suitable for people without prior knowledge of identifying fungi and families are welcome.

The first session is from 10am till noon followed by a second session from 1pm till 3pm and visitors should meet at the rangers cabin.

For further details call Frances Findlay on 01606 44727 or the rangers on 01606 77741.

8 October 2008 - CLIP - a photo of myself appeared in the Stockport Times whilst leading a foray at Chadkirk Chapel - not a bad photo but who the bloody hell is Fungal Pete. I am trying to get a copy of the pic to post here hopefully with my correct name on - honestly!

24 August 2008 - The microscopy is indeed driving me to despair - aaaaggghhhh - looks like I've bitten off a lot to chew on and my gnashers ache already.

The walks are nearly upon us so I hope you can all do your bit and spread the word and bring some other wildlifing experience to these great days out.

15 August 2008 - Thanks to Micheal Jordan of the ABFG the group now has a microscope to help identify any species that we can't ID in the field. This is a vital asset and hopefully we can set up some workshops during the winter months to get to grips with a few trickier species.

15 June 2008 - Having just sifted through a few photos from mooching about in the Kent area this one stood out for the way in which it shows the impressive size Dryads Saddle can attain.

My daughter Katie adds perspective to the shot.

25 Oct 2007 - Just recieved this photo from the recent Fungi walk at Etherow CP. Thought I had best bung it up as it turned out a real good day.

25 Oct 2007 - A recent visit down to Dorset and Hampshire resulted in some excellent finds. The day out with the Hampshire Fungus Group was very memorable - great people and very welcoming with a veritable mountain of knowledge to share and some great species seen. What more could one ask for? Endless thanks to every member who made us welcome and passed on their ID hints and tips. Check here for the overall sightings.

16 Oct 2007 - Extra walk added at Tatton Park on the 3rd November for members only. Details here.

30 May 2007 - WAXCAP WATCH - For a long time the National Trust has been aware that many of their historic gardens, parklands and countryside properties are important waxcap sites. However, with 300 gardens (or, 'old grasslands', as the conservation unit sees them) in the Trust's care and being the largest private landowner in Britain, we lack the internal resources to survey each potential waxcap site.

So, this autumn we are asking fungi enthusiasts, the general public as well as mycologists to record the waxcaps they see in NT gardens parks and countryside and submit their findings on a special webpage (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/waxcaps). This data will then be used to gain a better understanding of where the waxcap 'hotspots' are which will facilitate more detailed surveys in 2008 by the Trust's
Conservation department.

'Waxcap Watch' will be launched this autumn and we hope to involve a large number of fungi enthusiasts, mycologists, schools, NT members and individuals. It is a fantastic project and has the potential to achieve a lot in terms of raising the profile of the importance of ancient grassland, encouraging an interest in the amazing world of
fungi and helping us gain a better picture of waxcap hotspots around the country.

In order for this project to succeed it is essential that we have the support of local fungus groups around the country. In return, we would like to help promote these groups on our website (as the largest conservation organisation in Europe with 3.6 million members, the NT gets an enormous amount of people visiting the website) as an important part of this project is to promote a wider public interest in fungi, beyond the National Trust.

Fungal Friends are visiting Dunham Massey on 6th October 2007. Check the Days Out list. Hopefully we can fit Tatton Park in too - watch this space.

24 Apr 2007 - Membership is now growing and new dates have been added to the diary. The first day out of next year has been added and is to be held at Marbury CP.

9 January 2007 - Well work is underway with advertising literature and general group organisation. 5 walks are currently arranged with Dunham Massey and Tatton Park hopefully to be added.