Poison warning as fungi vanish
Friday 19th October 2007, 12:00PM BST.
A colourful crop of mushrooms which pack a potentially deadly hallucinogenic kick has disappeared overnight from a Shropshire churchyard.
Police say it is not a criminal offence to pick or possess the red and white toadstools but warn that anyone who uses them for an LSD-style “trip” will be risking their lives.
Dozens of the fly agaric fungi had sprouted up around the graves at Rodington Church, near Telford. Officially listed as poisonous, the fly agaric is known for its hallucinogenic properties.
Shropshire Star chief photographer Bob Greaves captured the colourful scene at Rodington and his pictures were published yesterday – you can see them here.
Telford police spokesman Chris Ammonds said today: “We’ve had a call to say every single mushroom has been picked overnight from the churchyard.
“We urge anyone thinking of eating them not to take the risk.”
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Hardly surprising considering The Shropshire star reported it Yesterday.
Did you honestly think that it would still be there now?.
MAybe if YOU didn’t report it yesterday YOU wouldn’t be putting a warning up today.
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Hardly suprising that they went after the Shropshire Star said where they were and mentioned the words ” hallucinogenic kick “
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the elfs have had them, im telling you i saw them take’em
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I was mildly amused yesterday when the shropshire star irresponsibly advertised to all, that these mushrooms were hallucinogenic! I had visions that the church was going to have late night visitors. Well done Shropshire Star!
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If I was to publish a mailshot advertising that drugs were obtainable for free and clearly stating the adress they could be picked up, would i not be arrested for intent to supply?
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free drugs growing in Telford what next?
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Great story, that. Well done.
Hope a reader doesn’t try them and die as a result.
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see advertising does work!!
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This has got to be one of the worst reports i have seen in the Shropshire Star, i have 2 kids and they read the paper so i was really annoyed to find the Pictures and even the address to go and get them, did anyone even think it might have been a kid or just a high flying adult who would go and have a munch!! Well done Shropshire Star for letting all responsible partents down… whats next a list of cannabis farms.
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The editor and reporter responsible for the irresponsible original article ought to think about their positions and get jobs more suited to their lack of intelligence.
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behave if the morons are stupid and eat them, tough one less would be druggy to drain the tax payer well done shropshire star.
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“Symptoms of intoxication appeared in about 30 minutes and were later followed by pleasant visual hallucinations and daydreaming, lasting about an hour.
This is a direct lift from the Shropshire Star original report. No wonder there was an overnight picking session.
Mr Editor pray these words do not come back to haunt you
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I agree
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just look for the locals looking totaly spaced out.
so it’s not an offence to pick and possess them, is it an offence to sell them?
maybe the reporter nicked them in the night and tonight will be around town sellng them
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To Barry Crook: nope, this doesn’t work, fly agaric is legal. As usually the case with more dangerous “natural highs”, the lawmakers seem to think that either no one would dare try them or – if one still dares – will be “punished” by the “drug” itself…
To make it clear: I believe in individual responsibility and I believe a citizen’s state of mind is NOT the state’s business. But on the other hand, since responsible drug education hardly exists, such a mushroom advertisement was very irresponsible.
I hope that people who picked them up at least knew how much to eat and weren’t alone.
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damn u moderation
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