Stanmore Country park at the northern end of the Jubilee line was the venue for our annual blackberry pick on 14th August.  The park is a beautiful open space which is protected and environmentally managed, so the flora and fauna can thrive.
16 of us of all ages made our way courageously through nettles and brambles to pick sun-ripened berries.  The weather was kind to us and the ground, which can be muddy, was firm and dry.  On the way to our chosen foraging area, we passed bird and bat boxes in the woodland, and once there could hear muntjac deer 'barking' to each other nearby.  One of our group also spotted a hawk in flight.  All agreed that viewpoint in the park is as good if not better than Parliament Hill for its panoramic view of London.
 
We were fortunate to have Sandra Whitehouse with us - a horticultural botanist.  She was able to identify the many plant species growing near the blackberries, and was on hand with dock leaves to ease the pain of nettle stings!
 
Thank you to everyone who came and made it a most enjoyable outing.  The blackberries will be used by the pickers, and any excess will be used in jam making workshops and to raise funds for Willesden Fruit Harvesters.
See pictures of our pick here.
Sally Ibbotson

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