Nature

Fungi need Friends!

Fungi have never been more under threat than they are now. With habitat loss to roads and buildings, agricultural ‘improvement’, and seemingly indiscriminate use of fertilizers and fungicides, and now climate change, fungi, along with other wildlife, have been having a hard time. The current craze for ‘wild’ (that is to say ‘free’) food fuelled by the media could be the last straw for many of our fungi. Indiscriminate picking is not only damaging to the fungi, excessive trampling destroys plants and other wildlife which depends upon them. Fungal habitats need to be protected, but it is hard to protect what cannot be seen for most of the year.

Fungi have always attracted curiosity, and sometimes fear. Their sudden and unexpected appearance, weird shapes and bright colours make them seem magical, and they have often been associated with fairies and witchcraft. They have fascinated storytellers and children for generations, and have played an important part in our folklore. Storybook illustrations of mushrooms are amongst our earliest childhood memories of fungi, and may colour our attitudes to them in later life. Do toads really shelter from the rain under toadstools, or fairies dance in fairy rings? Who has heard the music of Trompettes de Morts the Horn of Plenty.

In fact, fungi are neither plants nor animals, but constitute a separate kingdom, together with mildews, moulds, yeasts, and other, often microscopic organisms. Like animals, they are unable to make their own food, but must obtain organic matter from other living or dead organisms.

Fungi affect all aspects of our lives; without them we would have no bread, beer, wine or antibiotics. Autumn leaves would pile up for ever and never decay. Many of our trees and crop plants would become sickly or even die, since they depend upon a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi to obtain nutrients from the soil. In turn, many fungi are equally dependent on forest trees, so when woods are cleared or replanted with conifers, these fungi disappear.

Fungi are also responsible for a few diseases of humans and other animals, and for many diseases of our crops and other plants, such as the Rust on Meadowsweet pictured.

Anthurus Archeri

The South Cambridgeshire Fungus Recording Group

The Fungus Recording Group grew out of the Melbourn Mushroom Club, which was formed in 1995 by a group of people who had attended an evening class, ‘Fascinating Fungi’ at Melbourn Village College.

Fifteen years on, we are still meeting regularly. Forays are run in conjunction with the Association of British Fungus Groups (ABFG) and the British Mycological Society (BMS).

We aim to raise the profile of fungi and highlight their importance in natural ecosystems by organising forays, occasional lectures, exhibitions, and exchange visits with our French neighbours, La Société Mycologique Lopéenne.

We foray throughout the year, even on Boxing Day, although dry Summer periods are not very fruitful! Forays are normally held on Saturday or Sunday mornings from 10.30 and last for up to 3 hours. We are currently a small group, with usually less than 10 members and friends attending most forays, so new members are welcome, however much or little they know, and whether their interest is in fungi, conservation, recording, photography, or natural history generally. Children are particularly welcome, provided that they are accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult.

Dogs are not always welcomed by landowners – please check. For details of events, visit our website at: http://freespace. virgin.net/frog.end/Myxomagic/ Club_Events.html

John Holden

The Alzheimer’s Society works with those who are confused or forgetful, their carers, family and friends. We are here to provide information, support and help with understanding the difficulties that arise during the journey. We help people develop coping strategies to deal with those difficulties and create opportunities for people to meet others in similar situations.

We are currently running a number of services across Cambridge and Ely. These vary between peer support groups, lunch clubs and drop in sessions. If you would like more information you can contact us on Alzheimer’s Society, Cambridge and Ely Office, 01223 863854 or alternatively you can pop into one of the Cambridge Drop In sessions which are held every Monday and Wednesday at St Columba’s Church Hall, Downing Street, Cambridge.

There are many ways you can support and help us lead the fight against dementia. From making a monthly donation, signing up to one of our fundraising events, volunteering in your local area or getting involved in our campaigning issues.

Call our Helpline number 0845 300 0336 for dementia information and support www.alzheimers.org.uk

Chris Thomas

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