Small, inexpensive plantlore / folklore book

[Jodie]

Discovering The Folklore of Plants by Margaret Baker is £5.99, pocket
sized (assuming your pockets are 18x11.5cm or 7"x4.5" in old money)
and packed full of little windows into the minds of people who believed
all manner of interesting, useful, charming and, occasionally, frankly daft
things about their local plants. I bought it yesterday at the Horniman
museum gift shop and am carrying it everywhere with me - I'd highly
recommend it.

It is a Shire book and these books are gems of a slightly other-worldly
loveliness. I have a few of their books, including a volume on brass
rubbing, old kitchen scales and one on street furniture.

Their website lists some possibly interesting titles under 'rural crafts'
including charcoal and charcoal burning, and country winemaking.
http://www.shirebooks.co.uk/Rural/rural-bl.htm

They also have some books on Algonquin Birchbark canoe, Eskimo
carving and Textiles of the Kuna Indians in Panama under their
ethnography section:
http://www.shirebooks.co.uk/Ethnography/ethnography-bl.htm

I can't help thinking that some of you might write future editions of
books for them

Their subject index is at: http://www.shirebooks.co.uk/aboutus.htm
and remove the last /aboutus.htm to go to the main homepage.

Jo

 

[Gailainne]

I can't help thinking that some of you might write future editions

I must admit I had a good laugh when I read this, (and a few names floated about)

However on a more "stable" note its nice to see a site catering to subjects, although mostly fallen into disuse still have merit.

Jodie I've seen a few of your posts, and I would like to say, "good for you" please dont think this is condesending I have the utmost respect that someone is pushing themselves to learn more, but also finding the time to share.

Best regards

Stephen

PS hows the archery going ?

 

[Risclean]

I like Shire Books publications as well. Their natural history series is very good, it covers a range including parasitic worms through plants, insects, birds and mammals.

 

[Jodie]

I am loving the archery and (thanks for the timely reminder) will be signing
up this week for the advanced course. I'll also be hoping that Transport
for London will do the decent thing and run a bus between Bromley and
Blackheath. Two places which are that close should have better transport
than three buses to get you between them!

Last week I got a couple of bullseyes - but given that I sent arrows above,
below, left and right as well, I suspect it was more accidental. Definitely
becoming less scared about thwacking my arm and I think I'm actually
able to pull the bow to its full draw without going 'ohmigodohmigodohmigod'
under my breath.

I don't mind terribly that I'm not awfully good at it (apart from sporadic 'goals')
I just enjoy it - and we are quite a chatty bunch now; it's very friendly.

I've lent Dave the tutor the Ray Mears DVD with Aboriginal Britain on it as I
thought he might like to see the bit where they recreate that bow - this week
I'm taking the bushcraft magazines along as I think there might be a couple
of people who'd enjoy them.

Thanks for your nice words

 

[Justin Time]

aha, the umbillifers of the British Isles could come in handy since I'm shy of even trying to ID them. Ta much. I'd give you some rep but....