Nigel Stringer

Sad news indeed. – Very sudden I understand.

Nigel was the fount of all knowledge with regards to Rusts, Smuts, Moulds, and Powdery Mildews, his contributions to mycological knowledge are vast.

I never met Nigel, but have come across his work time and time again when trying to identify species. – If I recall correctly, it was a “Field Mycology Journal” article on Puccinia sessilis infecting Arum maculatum that first brought Nigel’s name to my attention.

The Welsh Microfungi Group, and the whole of the UK mycological community in general have lost someone who will be impossible to replace.

Heartfelt condolences to Nigel’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Regards,

Mike.

Oh gosh, what sad news for Christmas Day.

I met Nigel, just the once, at a joint BSBI/BPGS meeting at Aberbargoed Fields, long before I was aware of the depth of his knowledge.

He was generous enough to give me a lift towards my destination near Carmarthen, and found our conversation interesting enough to take a slightly longer route home to Kidwelly. Circumstances (my sister had to rent out her home in South Wales) meant I never was able to renew our contact. Much to my disappointment.

We touched on many topics on that drive: Japanese Knotweed in the Vale of Neath, the Phase 1 habitat survey of Wales & how it was updated, the National Botanical Gardens of Wales (IIRC Nigel volunteered there), and one rust topic: whether the rust on Alder leaves was a distinct species from Melampsoridium betulinum. There is a paper reporting this on his profile on Research Gate (Hantula, Stringer et Al. (2012). Forest Pathology 42(4)).

Thereafter, I only followed from afar as the impressive series of publications on groups of Welsh microfungi appeared. A superb legacy he leaves for us all.