As hinted at in entry for 23rd September, I’m planning some new analysis of the 1990s UK mistletoe survey data this winter.  This will need some help from volunteers – to ‘ground-truth’ some of the more questionable records over the winter period (when mistletoe is easy to spot as the leaves are off the host trees).  No hurry yet – I need to work out what needs to be checked first – realistically I won’t […]

Spent a very stimulating day talking about orchards on Thursday (27th) – at a workshop organised by Glasu at a country house (Penpont) near Brecon.  Glasu, for those who don’t know them, are an organisation piloting ‘innovative approaches to rural development to help develop more sustainable communities in rural Wales’.   Thursday’s do was part of their New Harvest Project – which helps to adds value to local food produced in Powys – through innovative […]

I’m getting a lot of media enquiries about mistletoe already, from monthlies and a few TV shows – mostly a mix of questions about mistletoe conservation and about the mistletoe trade and festival in Tenbury Wells. So, for the curious, here are some pointers on conservation (more on Tenbury, trade and the festival later):  The status of UK mistletoe – is it declining or not? – was investigated by the 1990s national mistletoe survey, organised […]

Looking for news on mistletoe for winter 2007/8? Have a look at the blog on the Typepad site – (one day I’ll consolidate all these blogs into one site/thread – but I’m waiting for a few rainy days…) Mistletoe Adventures, beginning with Christmas 2005 but extending well into 2006… Jonathan Briggs is a mistletoe enthusiast – read about his mistletoe activities here… For more mistletoe info go to www.mistletoe.org.uk

Well, here we are again.  Mistletoe season is upon us once more. And please don’t give me that ‘September is far too early’  stuff – I know what I’m talking about.  I’ve just (30 mins ago) been down the Co-op and found a mid-aisle display of ‘Galaxy Mistletoe Kisses’ chocolates.  So it really is Mistletoe Season.  At least according to Mars Confectionery (and others – see below).  My immediate reaction (natch) was to put some […]