As the Season Turns January
7 snips
Jan 1, 2026 
Zoe Gilbert, a talented folklorist and author of "Mischief Acts," shares her expert tips on foraging nettles and explores the eerie folklore of Romney Marsh. Cunan Jones, a skilled writer, passionately reads from his updated retelling of the Branwen story, highlighting conflict and rich imagery. As they discuss the starlings' mesmerizing murmurations and the peculiar behaviors of winter canal life, listeners are treated to insights on the season’s natural wonders and folklore, making for a captivating and educational listen.
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Industrial Past Shapes Winter Habitats
- The canal's industrial past still shapes its present landscape and wildlife habitats.
- Lia Leendertz shows how decayed infrastructure and quiet water create pockets for nature to persist.
Bring Gloves And Scissors For Nettle Foraging
- Do carry gloves and scissors when foraging nettles so you can harvest safely and preserve growth.
- Lia Leendertz recommends cutting green tops for soup or drying leaves for tea to neutralise the sting.
Nettles Follow Humans And Survive Far Travel
- Nettle plants follow human disturbance and can disperse seeds widely, even across salt water.
- Zoe Gilbert links this ecological resilience to their long-standing cultural value as food and medicine.
