If you live in Norfolk, or are just passing through this winter, have a look out for mistletoe.  The Norfolk Wildlife Trust are appealing for sightings, to help them understand the current status and distribution of the plant in their county.  You can find a pdf survey form here, and read more about the survey here.  Printed forms are available by writing (with an SAE) to Mistletoe Survey, NWT, 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY. […]

The big day is finally here – the first ever Tenbury Mistletoe Auction that’s not in Tenbury…. I’m there first, almost.  At 0730 hours the place is dark, drizzly and cold.  Remarkably similar to yesterday afternoon in fact (see last but one blog entry).  Only Eric (one of Nick Champion’s staff) and a lone holly wreath seller in sight.    I’m here early to meet the ITV This Morning film-crew, here with their gardening reporter […]

Warming up at Alec Wall’s house in Tenbury Wells and discussing the arrangements for this Saturday’s Mistletoe Ball.  (Tickets available from Alec on 01584 810479). We wonder whether Stan’s coming – so I ring him up.  It’s exactly 17:20.  He answers immediately, and when he realises it’s me says he’s expecting an urgent call, at 17:20 and would I ring off.  But Stan I say, I only want to know whether you’re coming to the […]

Off to Tenbury to make preparations for tomorrow’s auctions, particualrly for the media visits.  I’m hoping to promote the Mistletoe Festival (which is on Saturday 1st) but I know very well that most of the media are only interested in the auctions, particularly this year’s changes – the auction has finally moved out of town from the old cattle market site.  This is not a good thing for Tenbury – but has been expected for […]

The weekend of the 24th/25th November – and the start of the mistletoe trading season.  Newspaper coverage already in a small way – the Saturday editions of both the Telegraph and the Guardian carry pictures of Stan Yapp, Tenbury Wells’ Mistletoe Man, doing his harvesting for delivery to the Tuesday auctions. The Guardian pic is nicely enigmatic – a close-up of Stan’s jacket lapels and a top pocket full of mistletoe.  No evidence that it […]

It’s been so busy on the mistletoe front over the last week or so I’ve not had time to blog, but here’s a brief, but important, announcement (other updates on what’s been going on will follow soon…). Mistletoe Orchards Wanted!!  As part of my work to promote sustainable management of mistletoe I’ve just launched a modest initiative to find apple orchards which can be used to experiment with/demonstrate best practice.  What’s the problem??  Well, good […]