Christmas and New Year 2014-2015

After a lovely group holiday in Sedbergh over Christmas, strenuously eating and walking and playing bridge, we saw the New Year in at home in Preston, so it wasn't until Jan 2nd that we set out on the BSBI New Year Plant Hunt 2015
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The fine large church of Dent,
bringing the Wool churches of Suffolk {Lavenham, Long Melford] to mind

The Lune Viaduct

Walking down to the Lune Viaduct, which used to carry the Ingleton to Sedbergh railway across the river

We parked at Brock Mill near Garstang and walked for two hours, clocking up about eight species - the most surprising, perhaps was Cow Parsley, looking quite ornamental on a roadside verge.  A fine bush of Ulex europaeus, Gorse, reminded us that "kissing's out of season, when gorse is out of bloom".

Ulex europaeus

I say 'about' eight spp, - some decisions were borderline such as the Broad-leaved Dock, Rumex obtusifolius, whose tepals were still green, but it was really fruiting! 






Now to plan the various meetings for 2015.  The Welsh AGM will be held  this year in Merioneth, from 10th to 12th July at Plas Tan y Bwlch near Maentwrog: the theme of the meeting will be Peatlands..  Details are on the BSBI website and will also be in the Yearbook, due out shortly.


The fourth annual residential field meeting at Caerdeon, near Barmouth, will be from July 21st to 24th.  Again, details will be in the Yearbook and it will be possible to book on-line via the BSBI website.  There will also be the usual series of field meetings throughout the year, normally on the fourth Thursday of each month, and if you are interested we would be delighted to welcome you and more new members.