[starry]

yes aunt sally I think it was !! 

[Paul Plots]

It may have been me that mention straw for strawberries a short while ago.

One of the old boys on our allotment said that it is a good idea to use barley straw as when it begins to rot down, i.e. when damp or wet, it produces peroxide (that's why it's used to clear murky ponds).  The peroxide helps to prevent botrytis on your strawberries.

An interesting idea.... but I'm having enough trouble getting my paws on any straw at all.... daren't attempt to be fussy about which type 

[Loubs]

Saw a really interesting pic on a blog some time ago (My Tiny Plot), that was seen on The Victorian Kitchen programme, a wire  crinoline construction, designed to go round the base of strawberry plants to keep them off the soil. 
http://www.mytinyplot.co.uk/fruit/paxtons-strawberry-crinoline/
Looked fantastic to me. If I can find the right materials for nothing, I'm thinking of making some - it seems like a very logical & recyclable solution to me.
Anyone tried this?