For The Love Of Lichens

Val looks at the importance of lichens and how these composite organisms benefit the environment.

- Val Bourne

MY garden lies close to 700ft (213m) above sea level in a very cold area of the Cotswolds. It’s often bright in winter and garden visitors tend to shiver because spring arrives late here. I once had a garden gathering in March, when hardly anything had struggled from the ground, and shortly afterwards I had a card from one witty attendee. It was addressed “Almost Spring Cottage, Cold Cold Aston!”

The bracing air is reputed to be extremely healthy and has been “credited with the longevity of its inhabitants, including several vicars”, according to British History online (british-history.ac.uk). Here’s hoping it works for me, as I don’t intend to move.