Nature

The joy of lichens...

As you walk around towns, villages, woodland, dyeing wool - even today a few people still use small dyeing wool - even today a few people still use small moorland or the seashore, you may have noticed amounts for dyeing. ‘Cudbear’ (Ochrolechia) produced a amounts for dyeing. ‘Cudbear’ (Ochrolechia) produced a small greyish-green or orange-yellow plants growing on crimson or purple dye (extracted by soaking it in urine!), crimson or purple dye (extracted by soaking it in urine!), walls, rocks, roofs, trees, the soil, gravestones, or seashore while ‘crottle’ (or crotal, Parmelia) gave a brown colour. while ‘crottle’ (or crotal, Parmelia) gave a brown colour. rocks; many of these are lichens. Lichens are a close A few lichens are also used to make perfumes with a association or a ‘symbiosis’ between a fungus and an alga musk-like fragrance. The Saami people who inhabit in which both organisms benefi t. There are many diff erent Lapland traditionally have herds of reindeer which they types of lichens, including over 1,900 in Britain, of which live with all year round. In these Arctic areas lichens like around 900 are found in Devon. To fully enjoy them ‘reindeer moss’ (Cladonia) are an important food source you need to use a magnifying glass, or a jeweller’s loupe for reindeer. (available from opticians), or better still a X10 hand lens. Lichens are very slow growing, some growing less than If you look closely, you will see they are truly beautiful. a millimetre per year, others up to 5mm or more per They occur in several forms: crust-like (crustose, tightly year. By studying the growth rate of diff erent lichens, it attached to trees or rocks), leafy (foliose) or shrubby is possible to estimate the age of a lichen and therefore (fruticose); some even produce the age of its ‘host’. For instance, tiny ‘pixie-cups’. They are found growing on almost all types of surface, including metal, PVC “ As the air becomes progressively cleaner the variety of the stone sculptures on Easter Island are estimated to be 400 years old, while the oldest alpine plastic, and glass; some even grow lichens increases, until in very clean lichens may live up to 1,000 on my car! Lichens can grow in very harsh environments such as deserts, mountain tops or the high Arctic. In the Himalayas they have air, such as in Devon, rare species may be found ” years! Lichens known as dog lichens (Peltigera), also sometimes grow in lawns, as do weeds. Gardeners been found growing at 7,400 metres (over 24,000 feet). often worry about ‘weeds’ – but they are basically Lichens are highly sensitive to atmospheric pollution, beautiful wildfl owers which appear, according to some particularly sulphur dioxide (SO2). In industrial gardeners, in the ‘wrong’ place. Many fl owers such city centres, there are very few lichens as a result of as dandelions, daisies, self-heal, speedwell, hawkbits, high concentrations of SO2; but as the air becomes buttercups, primroses, nettles, etc, are foodplants for progressively cleaner the variety of lichens increases, insects such as hoverfl ies, bees, butterfl ies and moths. until in very clean air, such as in Devon, rare species We can take a positive step towards helping maintain may be found – such as the ‘string of sausages’ lichen insect populations by allowing just a part of our lawn to (Usnea articulata) which is fairly common on Dartmoor. become a wildfl ower meadow, simply by not mowing it As well as being indicators of air quality, the presence of for a few weeks until the wildfl owers have fi nished.n certain species is a sign of ancient woodland. Whereas Anthony John on the rocky seashore there are several lichen ‘zones’; the lowest tide-washed zone is black, looking tar-like More information: (this is Verrucaria); above this is an orange zone (with Caloplaca), and higher still is a grey zone with ‘sea ivory’ The Field Studies Council publishes fold-out charts (available from local bookshops) showing many of the common lichens or go to the British Lichen Society website:(Ramalina). www.britishlichen society.org.uk In earlier centuries, lichens were used extensively in

Caring for animals for more than a century

Gables Dogs & Cats Home is a non-euthanasia rescue and rehoming centre that has been helping the region’s unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats since 1907. They take in and care for up to 1,000 dogs and cats every year and they either re-home them or reunite them with their owners if they are lost. On a daily basis they care for around 80 dogs and over 100 cats. The majority of the animals they help are unwanted pets, given up by their owners for numerous reasons. They take in stray and lost cats reasons. They take in stray and lost cats that are found wandering the streets, that are found wandering the streets, some in a very poor condition and some in a very poor condition and in desperate need of help, and in desperate need of help, and unclaimed stray dogs from local unclaimed stray dogs from local councils. They also take animals councils. They also take animals from the RSPCA that have sadly from the RSPCA that have sadly been neglected and abused by been neglected and abused by their owners or injured in road their owners or injured in road traffi c accidents. traffi c accidents. Gables provide a Gables provide a temporary boarding temporary boarding service for local service for local councils, taking councils, taking care of dogs care of dogs and cats for and cats for people in people in diffi cult situations, until their owners are in a position to reclaim them. Sometimes they are signed over to the charity’s care once it is established that the owner is unable to provide for them anymore. Most of the animals in their care are re-homed within a few weeks, but some dogs and cats stay in their care much longer than others. This can just be a case of them being overlooked, having a disability that requires specialist care or due to their appearance, but more commonly it is because they have specialised behavioural needs that many people don’t have the time for, or experience to cope with. Some dogs and cats have not been socialised when they are young, so they develop defensive and inappropriate behaviours towards strangers and other animals. Others have experienced trauma, neglect or abuse in their past, which has knocked their confi dence with people. It can take a long time to gain the trust of these animals to be able to rehabilitate them so they can start to enjoy life and look for a new home. Gables believes that there is a special someone out there for every dog and cat, it is just a case of fi nding them. Gables never put a healthy animal to sleep and never give up hope of fi nding them a new loving home, no matter how long it takes or how much it costs! All of their animals are health checked by a vet, neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and treated for fl eas and worms before going to a new home. Dogs are also assessed by a qualifi ed dog behaviourist to establish what type of home they need. Gables re-home animals all over Devon, Somerset,

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. They totally rely on the generosity and support of the public through donations and legacies, as they don’t receive any Government or other funding. 2020 was a strange and difficult year for everyone and Gables have certainly faced some challenges. The Coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns have limited their ability to offer vital boarding services and their usual fundraising activities have ceased, leaving them with a massive £50,000 deficit. Despite the difficulties of 2020, Gables were able to hold several successful virtual events last year and they would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who got involved and supported them. Whether you took part in one dog show or every single one, bought five slices or a whole ginger cake, tried your luck in a raffle or simply spread the word, they appreciate your support and hope you had as much fun as they did! There are many ways you can show your support and help the dogs and cats that Gables care for each year. These include taking part in their online pet shows, buying their homemade cakes, taking part in their raffles, ordering from their Amazon Wish List, sponsoring a dog or cat, setting up a regular standing order, organising your own fundraising events and much more...

Gypsy

Gables are always grateful for any donations from their supporters, they wouldn’t survive without them. They have supermarket collections bins in stores around Plymouth and welcome any animal food donations (not bedding) in them or any of the following items that they are regularly in need of: • Laundry washing powder • Heavy duty, large puppy pads • Cardboard cat scratchers • Cat scratching posts • Wet cat food - particularly Felix or Whiskers (adult and kitten) • Wet dog food - particularly Chappie or

Pedigree Chum • Cat nip toys & balls • Dog toys - the stronger the better • Olbas oil There are many other ways that you can help and support them during this difficult so please visit their website and follow their social media channels to find out more and for further updates and for any information on when they will be opening again. Gables understand that this is a difficult time for everyone and they really appreciate everything that their amazing supporters do for them.n

Vauxhall Victor looking in washing machine

More Information:

Visit www.gablesfarm.org.uk