September 2023

17 Buckden Roundabout September 2023 Village News News from the Knot Garden Here we go round the mulberry bush springs to mind in August when the mul- berries are ripe and the birds are feasting under the bush. The black mulberry (Morus nigra) was imported into Britain in the 17 th Century in the hope that the leaves would be useful in raising silk worms. The trees can reach 9m tall with a stretch to match but can be pruned in the autumn to maintain a smaller bush shape. They enjoy fertile well - drained soil in a bright position and are slow growing, taking around 8 years before fruiting. The fruit look like large blackberries and are very juicy and soft. The juice will stain both skin and fabric a vivid red. The juice is hard to wash out which makes a very good dye. The berries can be eaten raw but are more often used in jams and preserves. As well as human visitors the garden has animal and insect visitors. At this time of year the bees love visiting the flowers on the wall germander in the Lamb bed, the ladybirds are en- joying the box hedging and caterpillars are appearing. This week the team found 4 bright gold and black caterpillars feed- ing. Cinnabar moth caterpillars eating voraciously on a ragwort plant. Ragwort is toxic, the leaves are bitter and unpalatable to most creatures but the Cinnabar caterpillars feast on it so they too become toxic. Their bright stripes act as a warning to other creatures not to eat them. It takes about a month for them to develop fully, at which point they will descend to ground level and pupate, spending the winter in their cocoons ready to emerge as moths the following spring. The Library Presents The library presents is back for a jam - packed autumn season of arts activities in libraries across the county. As always, there are performances and workshops to suit all ages, with music, theatre, dance, magic, puppetry and even some film. The season starts on 1st October 2023 with a reduced ver- sion of Macbeth, ‘ the Scottish Play ’, and runs through to mid - December, with arts and crafts workshops and many more performances. There is a theme of horror, murder and chills, with Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, murder mystery and sinister silent film; but the season also has a lighter side, with fairytales, magic and bal- loons. Altogether there is a glorious mix of uplifting, en- chanting and playful treats for the autumn months ahead. Tickets available from early September For ticket information please follow the online links at: www.library.live/the - library - presents Telephone: 01353 616991 In person at Participating Libraries (cash only) On the door at all activities (subject to availability/cash only) By Exchanging Digital Time Credits