The Art of the Fire

The Risedale Rangers have been learning how to start fires today up in the conifer woodland. Newspaper, dry wood, a few matches (we'll try flint and steel next time) and plenty of hands who wanted to try and light the (slightly damp) fire. 

It took a little persuading, however once it was going and had some heat, it was off! Thank you to the Risedale Rangers who have been helping us tidy up the woodland.

With such damp weather in recent weeks, it's been a good Autumn and Winter for fungi, here are three which were found today even in mid-December. The Purple Jellydisc (right) is most often found on fallen and rotting wood and can form brain-like clusters, whereas the Hairy Curtain Crust (bottom) can be found on living and dead wood and as the name suggests, has a hairy coating on it.