Three years on from the lockdowns and societal change caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are reflecting by listening to Rupert Waites story of creating and distributing a syrup that offered more than a foraged taste of hedgerow. 

In covid we saw it as the best time to get out and to re-establish a place in the world through foraging, joining in the wider community, giving and receiving and stopping and seeing the beauty in the world. 

What Rupert, and Buck & Birch did

We donated elderberry and rosehip syrup to care homes for two reasons. Firstly, to offer some immune support to the people that are likely to need it most. But also just to give them something to brighten their day. 

Why 

When people have dementia it can be a taste or a smell that triggers memories, often transporting folks to happier times. Rosehip in particular was something that always went down well, it raised a smile and brought back happier times.

I used to work in a care home cooking and we always worked hard to try to get the residents outdoors, but it was difficult. We were often more successful in bringing the outdoors in. If you are 95 and suffering a bit, you especially deserve a little joy in any way possible.

The feedback we got mostly came from carers and medical staff. It was a real pick me up for many isolated individuals; something that just said someone cares. 

How it was made and distributed

The idea to sell some and give some away is in its infancy but one which we are committed to. Working with Napiers we both have charities that we would like to benefit from the goodness as well as offer it to those who can afford it. 

We found it difficult in the pandemic though to find receptive homes for all of it. Some went in via care staff but other homes were reluctant to accept anything at all that wasn't on their books. It was understandable as they were under fire and criticism from all sides. We managed though to get three (care homes) on board and also gave plenty away to day centres, hospital workers, nurseries, scout groups and just everyone that came through our door. It was really time consuming but so great to see everyone come in the door with joy on their face and a story to tell. 

Our oldest picker was 83, and she had memories of childhood picking and the commercial rosehip syrup – delrosa.  Many of the younger pickers were discovering the joy of foraging for the first time and I loved seeing that generational knowledge gap being bridged. 

Nurturing partnerships 

The work with local landowners is as yet also in its infancy. We have a really successful partnership with Gifford community Woodland and operate on a Birch sap for cash and help with events type arrangement. They allow us access to tap the sap and in turn we donate time , money and some nice plants to help them enhance their offering. It's a win win situation and shows off how you can commercialise a resource, make friends and make the forest a better place for all. 

We have a nice relationship with a Highland Croft, and a local regenerative woodland project too. In the past we worked with a local care home ,to plant up things that were both edible and attractive. It’s now a space of joy and wonder for the residents. It attracts people, volunteers, wildlife and gasps of amazement! On top of that it also gave us wild foods to use in our pop up restaurant. We pay for them and put money back into the garden for more plants. 

We are currently expanding our horizons, are looking into alternative uses for the Highland Croft, as well as looking into regenerating a run-down farming estate. We’re hoping to make it a more useful resource for us and for the wildlife and people in the surrounding area. It's our belief that only by properly integrating plants people and places will we see things truly thrive. It is of course a work in progress, I hope in time it'll enable us to make great use of everyone's skills to help build toward a much better present. Ever the optimists I see a much brighter future than most and its in these little spaces that we can prove and demonstrate the good ideas. 

Rosehip Revolution

I feel that as simple a thing as collecting rosehips has so much to offer as a community exercise where all are welcome to share their stories and joy of the landscape. Everyone felt like their efforts were meaningful. We didn't have nearly as much time this year but its something we really want to cement into our calendar and be ready for. Or would hope someone with more time might take it up and run with it. I could see it becoming a national not for profit thing, involving schools, nurseries, and people of all ages regardless. That's my kind of revolution. All starting with rosehips. A Rosehip Revolution. I think the answers to many of life’s problems present themselves in those calm moments in the hedgerows and afterwards round a table in the kitchen. And one of the answers is to ask for less and to give more whilst rejoicing together in the beauty and bounty that surrounds us. 

Rupert’s tips on making rosehip syrup

Making your own rosehip syrup is so easy.

• Make sure your bottles are sterilised, boil the mixture and decant straight into the hot bottles

• Ensure that the sugar content is high

• Always use glass bottles with a securely fastening and air tight lid

• Bottles can be sterilised by popping them in a moderate oven for 10 minutes or by sealing them full and immersing them in simmering water for 30 minutes to pasteurise

• Unpasteurised, it keeps in the freezer

• Once opened I keep it in the fridge.