02/06/2026
Rotarian and Manager of the Eskrigg Nature Reserve, Jim Rae was speaker at last Mondays meeting. His subject was the “Fascinating World of Fungi”, and having identified over 303 species in the Reserve, he was ideally placed to talk about the role fungi play in the natural world.
In his usual fact-filled power-point presentation, Jim outlined the relationships between fungi and their host. Fungi are among nature`s main decomposers. These are the saprophytes. Those fungi which feed off living organisms, are classed as parasites. Then there are fungi with a very positive relationship with living plants and trees in particular, an association known as mycorrhiza. They get energy from the plant and in return, the tree obtains nitrogen and phosphorus generated by the fungal action in the soil. Fungi can also spoil food, damage crops, and cause disease in plants and animals, including humans.
We recognise fungi as mushrooms, but the parts above ground represent only the reproductive part, the fruiting body, which produces millions of spores. The major structure is underground or under tree bark, a fine network of hyphae, forming a tangled mat called a mycelium which can be extensive.
Jim went on to discuss the enormous variety and classes of fungi, the two main ones being Pore fungi and Gill fungi. Many fungi are edible, but it is essential that anyone foraging and eating fungi knows what species they are dealing with.
Boletes, one of the most common Pore fungi in the Eskrigg Reserve were almost wiped out by a Bolete eating fungus in 2021 and 2022. The clear out of woodland devastated by storm Arwen in 2021, resulted in much of the fungal underground mycelia being destroyed and Jim has seen much fewer mushrooms in the reserve. But his talk did stimulate a much better understanding of the place of fungi in the natural world. After an interesting Q & A session, a comprehensive vote of thanks was given by Ian Sloan.
Meanwhile, June is a busy month for Rotarians with the Rotary KidsOut National Fun day, taking place next week, a major event hosted at SRUC Barony Campus at Parkgate and organized collectively by local Rotary Clubs - Lockerbie & District Rotary Club, Dumfries RC, Dumfries Devorgilla RC, Annan & District RC and Thornhill & District RC - the event provides a memorable day of “fun and adventure” and a positive experience for children in supported learning from local schools.
The Lockerbie Club is also supporting the local Gala events next week with prizes for the shop window displays and support for the Monday night Gala football tournament.
