Plantlife events, walks & workdays
We simply could not keep tabs on so many of Britain’s rare wildflowers and maintain their habitats without your help. Events are open to all and are free of charge. You do not need to be an experienced botanist or conservationist to take part in surveys and workdays as full guidance is given on the day.
Booking information and procedure
When booking, always leave your telephone number in the unlikely event of meeting changes. If you have any special needs please mention them at this stage. If you intend to travel by public transport but need a pick-up, please discuss possible arrangements with the contact given.
We ask that children under the age of 16 are accompanied by an adult and that dogs are left at home. Events marked TBC have yet to be finalised – please ring nearer the time for full joining details.
What to bring
In general we recommend the following:
Any special items that you should bring are stated in the event details; tools and gloves are supplied by us when needed.
To book, contact Plantlife on 01722 342730, or email enquiries@plantlife.org.uk, stating “events” in the subject line. Or write to Events, Plantlife, 14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury, SP1 1DX. Include your cheque if applicable and a SAE.
PLEASE NOTE: For All Ranscombe Farm bookings or for a copy of the Ranscombe Farm events diary listing events taking place throughout the year, contact our Ranscombe Farm warden direct on 07983 578201 or by email helen.morley@plantlife.org.uk
Spring - Summer 2008 Programme
Saturday 26th April, 11am - 4pm, Mugdock Country Park, Milngavie. Training day for the Common Plants Survey For new participants or old-hands to find out more about the survey and meet fellow surveyors.
Sunday 18th May, Arthur’s Seat, Midlothian. BSBI Scotland Field Meeting The emphasis will be on learning and welcoming those new to BSBI meetings. For further information please see www.bsbiscotland.org.uk/Excursions.htm or contact Dot Dahl, Easter Ballindalloch, Glen Lednock, Comrie, Perthshire PH6 2LY, e-mail dotdahl@talk21.com.
Friday 30th May – Sunday 1st June, Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh. Gardening Scotland Plantlife will again have a stand at the biggest gardening show in Scotland and we are looking for help to run the stand and/or take photographs.
Saturday 7th June, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm, Foveran Links SSSI, near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. Guided walk Led by Scottish Natural Heritage, the walk will explore this valuable coastal dune site and its wild plants.
Saturday 14th June, Pass of Killiecrankie, Perthshire. BSBI Scotland Field Meeting Contact details as for the Field Meeting in May above.
Saturday 21st June, 11am - 4pm, Nethy Bridge, Highland. Training day for the Common Plants Survey For new or more experienced participants to find out more about the survey and meet fellow surveyors.
Sunday 29th June, 11am-1pm, Kittochside, National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride. Guided walk See the stunning spring meadows and visit the museum. Free to NTS members. £5.00/£4.00 concession, group discount may apply.
Sunday 25th May, 11am – 4pm, Lower Winskill Farm, near Settle, North Yorkshire. Meadow grasses identification training day A beginners’ guide to identifying meadow grasses led by local botanist Dr Judith Allinson. This is a Plantlife event and part of the Yorkshire Dales Hay Time Festival.
Sunday 8th June, 1pm – 4pm, Lower Winskill Farm, near Settle, North Yorkshire. Walk and talk: Hay meadows of the Yorkshire Dales - past, present and future Tom Lord will lead a walk around his farm and talk about the origins of meadows and the farming practices shaping their development. Local botanist Dr Judith Allinson will focus on the farm’s flora and on identifying typical meadow species. This is a Plantlife event and part of the Yorkshire Dales Hay Time Festival.
Sunday 22nd June, 12pm – 4.30pm, Deep Dale Nature Reserve, near Sheldon, Derbyshire. Walk and talk A gentle ramble looking at the fabulous limestone flora of this dramatic dales landscape. The event will start with a picnic lunch (please bring your own) and a talk from Peter Ryder, a member of the Youlgreave Well Dressing Committee, who will talk about this local custom. Please contact us for directions.
Saturday 7th June, 10.30am – 4pm, Martin Down and Pentridge Down, near Salisbury, Wiltshire. Early Gentian survey To assess the plant’s current status, we will re-survey some classic chalk grassland sites. Join local flora groups from Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire to search for this beautiful wildflower. Bring a packed lunch and, if you have one, a GPS unit. We will walk up to 8km although you will be able to ‘sit out’ part of the route. Please contact us for directions.
Saturday 21st June, 11am-3pm, Caeau Tan y Bwlch, Clynnog Fawr, Gwynedd. Survey day This is the fourth annual vegetation survey of this very special Plantlife reserve. We’ll be recording vegetation with quadrats and counting the large population of butterfly orchids. Meet at Caeau Tan y Bwlch reserve, grid ref SH431488. Directions in the Members Reserves guide.
Friday 27th June, 11.30am start, National Botanic Gardens of Wales, near Carmarthen. PLANTLIFE ANNUAL MEMBERS' DAY - EVERYONE WELCOME! Come and hear about Plantlife’s latest activities and enjoy a tour of the National Botanic Gardens. Contribution to costs is £22 to include a buffet lunch, teas/coffees and entry to the gardens.
Saturday 28th June, 11am - 3pm, Cae Blaen Dyffryn, Lampeter, Carmarthenshire. Survey day Join in the annual survey of this wonderful Plantlife reserve the day after the Annual Members Meeting nearby. As well as recording changes in the vegetation, let’s see if we can beat the total of 5000 butterfly orchids in this one meadow. Directions in the Members Reserves Guide.
The Welsh Lichen Group meets monthly in and around Wales. For further details, contact Ray Woods, email ray.woods@plantlife.org.uk or call 01597 824661.
Events at Ranscombe Farm Reserve in Kent
For further information and timings for events at Ranscombe Farm or to reserve a place, please contact Helen Morley, Reserve Warden, on 07983 578201 or email Helen.morley@plantlife.org.uk
Fri 27th June Wildflowers of the chalk A study day focusing on the rare wildflowers in the fields with a tutor from Field Studies Council and Kent Wildlife Trust, Ros Bennet. Bring a packed lunch.
Sun 13 July Elenor Hospice Walk This annual event will include Ranscombe as part of its short, medium or long sponsored walking routes.
Sun 27 July Guided walk to Darnley Mausoleum This 4 mile walk will go through Ranscombe reserve and into the area managed by Cobham Ashenbank Management Scheme, with the opportunity to find out more about restoration work at the mausoleum.
Sun 3 August Walk and talk on the history and local lore of Ranscombe Led by local resident and volunteer warden, Ken Law, who has fascinating stories about the farm and village collected over the last 50 years.
Sun 24 August Archaeology and heritage of Ranscombe A look at the recently excavated well (or is it a dene hole?), 4th century pottery finds, Saxon wood lynchets and ancient boundary trees with volunteer wardens Paul Harrison and Dave May.
Alternate Wednesdays during 2008. A team workdays We will be completing the glade work at Mill Hill and tackling the annual management of grassland areas in Great Wood, together with a litter pick and survey work.
Summer 08 events (printable version)