On May 6th 2009 I took a group of boys and staff from Ravens Wood School, (an “Outstanding” school in Bromley) on a seaside forage in the Whitstable area. It was part of an enrichment subject, an addition to the regular curriculum. It is called A.S.C (Adventure Service Challenge). It is similar to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, in the interests and skills it focuses on but is aimed at younger students. As part of it the boys have been learning about Bushcraft, hence the beach forage.

Edible plants were abundant. Of the exclusively coastal species, there was only one specimen of Sea Kale (Crambe maritima). It became scarce through over-collecting in Victorian times so as a precaution we took a few leaves from the middle to cook, and disturbed it little, even though every bit of it is good to eat.

Sea Beet (Beta vulgaris, ssp. maritima) grew all along the shore. We took enough for the pot.

It was agreed that Hoary Cress (Cardaria draba), with its peppery flavour, tasted good raw.

It became another leafy green destined for the Mongolian Hot-pot.

Yellow Rocket (Barbarea vulgaris), it was felt, would be better cooked.

While we waited for the tide to go out the boys learned how to clean and behead a fish.

Foraging on the foreshore brought forth cockles, winkles, mussels and oysters which we had time to cook and sample.

Leaving just enough time to throw atlatls before the boys set off back to Bromley.