Foraging

ON THE BLACKBERRY TRAIL

There once was a time when apples were a pomaceous fruit, oranges were a citrus fruit and blackberries were a berried fruit. Nowadays they all seem to be linked to things electronic.

However, here at Chislehurst Village News we're of a different age and so we start an occasional series on foraging in the area with the humble berried fruit.

This time of year blackberries are in abundance and, we are told, are better than ever this particular year with ideal growing conditions for them to then ripen into huge, plump fruit. Yet the secret of finding a good blackberry is knowing where to look, and having taken our fill earlier in the week, we're happy to let you into our little secret.

For quality, head up the tarmac drive into Scadbury Park from the end of Old Perry Street opposite Beaverwood Road. On your right runs the side of a garden belonging to the first house in Old Perry Street. Leave the fig tree alone; although it hangs over the fence, John won't be very happy if you start picking his figs; they're not ready yet anyway.

SCADBURY BLACKBERRIES

Once you get to the end of his garden boundary, still on your right, you are presented with a "field" of the most succulent blackberries to be found in the whole of Kent. Don't dawdle by the edge though, go to the end of the bushes, scramble between the barbs of the barbed wire fence and then launch yourself feet first into the oasis of fruit. (We can't condone trespassing but the land is owned by Bromley Council (i.e. us) and so long as you follow the Country Code we think you'll be okay).

Be sure to wear long everything (sleeves, trousers etc) and a good pair of wellies - and bring a large container.

For quantity, keep going up the tarmac drive, keep tight left to the house in front of you and once you have gone through a gate turn left off the path, across the field and you will find enough blackberries to keep you going (so to speak) all winter.

Another good spot is a lone (and lonely) bush towards the top of the slip road down towards the A20 and B & Q.

A20 SLIP ROAD TOWARDS B&Q

The Chislehurst Village News staff had their fill earlier in the week (so now we're quite happy to let you know our secret little foraging spots) and four of the staff picked 7 kilos in an hour.

7 kilos at Scadbury = £0. 150 grams at Sainsbury's = £2 which equates to a whooping £93 for what we picked - and not a single mobile phone in sight.

Let us know your favourite foraging spots. Next month, plums and damsons.
www.chislehurstvillagenews.co.uk