Botany Group 70th Anniversary Meeting Kilnsey Park and Kettlewell Churchyard 4th June 2019

Members and visitors assembled at Kilnsey Park for their special Anniversary Meeting,  well dressed for the weather which was forecast to be wet. However, as the morning progressed coats were shed as the sun shone showing the flowers at their best. Walking up the path, before entering the SSSI we were surprised to see Angelica Angelica sylvestris in flower.

A favoured plant on the site is the pink Birdseye Primrose Primula farinosa, which contrasts with the more complex orchids – the salmon pink of the Early Marsh Orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata  and the many variations in colour and markings of the Common Spotted Orchid D. fuchsii.

  In 2006 Kilnsey Park was chosen as a site for the re-introduction of the Lady’s Slipper Orchid Cypripedium calciolus.

It has flourished in several places on the site , some of which are near the roped path so can easily be photographed. A satisfying morning having being spent we went up to Kettlewell

to have lunch in the car park before walking up to the churchyard and being welcomed by Di Williams who has a special interest in the churchyard and is part of a project team to make the churchyard a place for reflection, quiet, and enjoyment of the environment. A survey of the plants will be of use to the project and this provided an interesting afternoon for the group. While at a first glance the dominant species seemed to be the Grasses and Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris, many pairs of eyes found much more and 80 species were recorded including some of the trees. Just as we had finished the drizzle started and we were invited into the church for refreshments.

What an ending to the day!! This was not a cup of tea and a biscuit, but a wonderful spread of home baking provided by friends of the church AND a most beautiful ‘birthday ‘ cake for the Field Society. The leader of the group was privileged to cut the cake!!Christine Bell  Photos Christine and Ian Hughes