Absolutely fantastic week! I can’t believe that I am going to be on BBC1’s Countryfile.

It all started a week ago when a friend of mine was contacted to see if he could do a piece about herbal medicine as part of a feature on the Pendle Witches. As this isn’t his area of expertise he immediately thought of me. Thanks John!

This led me, on Tuesday, to be stood under an Elder tree half way up Pendle Hill talking about the medicinal properties of Elderberries with Julia Bradbury. What an extraordinary experience. What with the odd random chicken and the driving rain, I am amazed that they managed to get any usable footage, but of course they are professionals.

After introducing the Elder I then make her an Elderberry Syrup on my little camping stove, all very Keith Floyd! After a quick tasting we were off; all a bit of a whirlwind but lots of fun. Really looking forward to seeing it, hopefully they got my best side!

So check it out this Sunday, 7pm on BBC1.

Well what a turn out! Thank you to everyone who attended the herb walks this weekend.

Especially the 20 on Saturday who braved the force 9 gales that seemed to arrive half way through the walk! I am always amazed at how many medicinal plans we can find growing in such an urban environment. We saw herbs that can treat the heart and circulation, skin problems, menstrual irregularities as well as lung conditions and help with insomnia all in an hour and a half. These were actually only about a half of what I had planned but the weather defeated us in the end. I think we were all grateful for the cup of hot Elderflower, Peppermint and Yarrow tea waiting back at the garden centre!

Sunday was a more sedate event. Although the weather started out very similar to the previous day however by the end we were sitting in beautiful sunshine. Again it’s incredible how many herbs are growing out of the cracks in the pavement and in people’s gardens. This time we saw mainly digestive herbs as well as some intersting ones for the sinuses and liver.

If you missed these walks or would like to come back and learn more, keep an eye on my events page for more in the near future.