Bradford Botany Group
Members needing further details or transport please contact enquiries@bradfordbotanygroup.co.uk
Participants may wish to use this checklist in order to be prepared for these outings: First aid kit, mobile telephone, water, flask, food, walking boots or wellingtons, waterproof clothing, spare clothing, hat, gloves, maps, books, watch, money, camera, binoculars, hand lens, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Parking at several sites is limited, so it makes sense to share cars wherever possible. Not only does this reduce travel costs, but it also reduces our carbon footprint.
It is essential that all participants take notice of the risk assessment and any health and safety advice offered.
Members are also reminded of the code of conduct regarding the picking of plant material. The golden rule should be “take the book or the expert to the plant” and not the other way round, especially where there are only a few specimens present. It should also be remembered that removal of plant material from nature reserves and SSSIs is illegal without the permission of both the land owner and Natural England. Any pre-planned scientific research into scarcer individual species or hybrids is also best approached through this route. Although a “common sense” approach is also required, removal of material for use as voucher specimens must only be carried out after approval by the leader.
DATE
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DESTINATION | MEETING ARRANGEMENTS |
Sat, 16th April |
GOLDEN ACRE PARK The arboretum contains at least 30 species of conifers amongst its many trees, giving us another chance to brush up on our identification skills. Some spring flowers will be underway, hopefully including purple toothwort. Easy walking, approx. 2km. Leader: Bruce Brown |
10:30 am Meet in the car park (signed) on the A 660 Leeds to Otley road. This is approx. 4km north of the West Park roundabout on the A6120 Leeds outer ring-road.
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Sat, 30th April |
SHIPLEY GLEN AND THE RIVER AIRE Joint meeting with Bradford Urban Wildlife Group An interesting walk along Loadpit Beck and the River Aire as far as Dowley Gap. We shall see flowers typical of Pennine clough woodland in early spring. Approx. 3.5km, mainly on well-surfaced paths, moderately steep in parts. Leader: Dave Mason
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10:30 am Meet in the car park at the junction of Glen Road and West Lane at the top of Shipley Glen in Baildon. |
Sat, 14th May |
CLAP DALE WOODS AND INGLEBOROUGH CAVE followed by ANNUAL MEAL A walk through the Ingleborough estate (small charge), once the home to the famous plant hunter Reginald Farrar. Acidic and alkaline soils are present, resulting in a good range of spring flowers, both native and introduced. Approx. 6km, mainly on gravel paths, with some moderate slopes. Leaders: Joan Dobson and Margaret Rees
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1:00 pm Meet in the National Trust car park in Clapham, approx. 10km NW of Settle, just off the A 65. Parking charge, toilets on site.
We will regroup at the Craven Arms in Giggleswick at 18.00 for our annual meal at 18.30. Details will be circulated separately. |
Sun, 29th May |
GRASS WOOD (YWT, SSSI) An excellent example of a species-rich Dales ash woodland on a series of limestone terraces. If time permits, we shall go into the adjacent Bastow Wood. Approx. 3km, moderately easy, but with some steep, stony and slippery paths. Leader: Anne Tupholme
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10:30 am Meet in the quarry car park approx. 2km NW of Grassington on the minor road to Conistone. Parking is limited; if there is insufficient space, some cars will have to be parked in Grassington.
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Sat 4th , June – Sat,11th June (7nights) |
BBG HOLIDAY TO ARIÈGE, FRANCE
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Details have been made available separately to those who have expressed interest.
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Wed, 15th June |
CRAY GILL Joint meeting with Upper Wharfedale Naturalists An interesting assemblage of lime loving plants. Approx. 3km; walking not too difficult, although the path is fairly steep and stony in parts. Leader: Christine Bell
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10:30 am Meet in Hubberholme, approx. 2km NW of Buckden. Parking for several cars on the north side of the river Wharfe, slightly east of the church. If there is insufficient space, some cars will have to be parked in Buckden. |
Sun, 26th June |
QUARRY MOOR (SSSI) and BURTON LEONARD LIME QUARRIES (YWT) Both sites are old Magnesian limestone workings, with an attendant rich calcicole flora. Walking is mostly easy, although Burton Leonard has some steep slopes. Total distance approx. 3.5 km. Leader: Les Barnett
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10:30 am Meet in the Quarry Moor Reserve car park, off the A61, just south of Ripon. From the south, turn left and the gated entrance to the reserve is immediately on the LHS. Do not go too far and take the road into Ripon!
Café and toilets available at Morrison’s supermarket close to Quarry Moor.
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Wed, 29th June |
TRENCH MEADOWS SSSI, BAILDON Joint meeting with Bradford Urban Wildlife Group. The site consists mainly of species-rich neutral grassland, with some acidic areas and rush pasture. This diverse habitat results in a varied flora. Easy walking, over a short distance. Leader: Dave Mason
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6:45 pm Park near the end of the Coach Road in Lower Baildon. From Saltaire roundabout, take the A657 for 1km, then left at the major junction, along the A6038. The Coach Road is the first left after crossing both the canal and river. |
Fri, 8th July – Sun, 10th July (2 nights) |
INFORMAL WEEKEND, CUMBRIA We will visit a range of different sites, including moorland, limestone grassland, neutral grassland, woodland, and wetland. Leader: Neil Barrett
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Further details will be made available by the end of March. |
Fri, 15th July |
AINSDALE and HIGHTOWN SAND DUNES, MERSEYSIDE Extremely diverse dune, dune-slack, salt-marsh and shingle habitats with many rarities. We hope to see over 200 vascular taxa. Awaiting info on length of walk etc. Leader: Phil Smith
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10:30 am Meet in Sands Lake car park, opposite Pontin's, Ainsdale-on-Sea. There may be a parking charge. Please contact Neil a few days beforehand if you intend going, since it might be possible to secure free parking nearby. Do not simply turn up! |
Wed, 20th July |
NAILOR ROUGH (SSI) An interesting area of relict moorland, close to housing, and having both native species and naturalised aliens. Aliens we may find are Siberian iris, garlic, garden speedwell and red bistort. Also, some interesting hybrid willows. There are some paths, but also rough grassland and steep banks. Leader: Jesse Tregale |
6:45 pm Park by the roadside on Stoney Ridge Road. This is easily accessed from the B6144 or the B6269.
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Sat, 30th July |
UPPER TEESDALE There is plenty of excellent botany in the area. One or two additional sites will also be visited, and we hope to find a good number of Teesdale specialities. There are some wet/boggy areas, and we expect to cover a maximum of 5km. A fairly strenuous walk of 800m up a grassy slope with a gradient of 20% (1 in 5) is required. Leader: Jeremy Roberts
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10:30 am Will depend on the weather!
A. Park in layby immediately on the right (east) at start of lane leading NW off the B6277 towards Ettersgill. or B. Some 17 km beyond the Ettersgill turning. Continue on the B6277 up and across the moor until you start to drop down towards Alston. Look for a layby on the right (east) of the road, some 2.2 km after crossing into Cumbria.
We will decide where to meet a couple of days before. Telephone Neil for confirmation after 6:00pm on Thursday 28th July.
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Sat, 13th August |
WATERS’ EDGE COUNTRY PARK, LINCS. The site is in a spectacular location, overlooked by the Humber bridge. It comprises several different habitats including lagoons, grassland, woodland and estuarine banks. Many interesting plants are present. Easy walking, 3 - 4km, mostly on the flat. Leader: Joan Dobson
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10:30 am Located just off the A15 on the south side of the Humber bridge (toll charge). Take the A1077 into Barton-upon-Humber, head towards the railway station and then take Maltkiln Road - the (free) car park is at the end. Café and toilets on site. Waters' Edge is signposted from the approaches to Barton. |
Sun, 4th Sept. |
AN AUTUMN SAUNTER IN SILVERDALE A circular walk of approx. 4.5km, including The Lots NT reserve and Lambert’s Meadow. Walking is mainly on the flat, but with one or two steepish paths. Leader: Neil Barrett
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10:30 am Go past Leighton Moss reserve and turn left at the junction for Silverdale. Alternatively, approach from Arnside and take the minor road past Arnside Tower. Go through Silverdale village and park in the shore car park. |
Sun, 18th Sept. |
GEOFF APPLEYARD MEMORIAL TREE WALK: ROUNDHAY PARK AND TEMPLE NEWSAM A morning visit to the arboretum at Roundhay Park where we will see a range of interesting trees including black mulberry, Antarctic beech and grand fir. Approx. 1km, on good level paths and some gently sloping lawns. In the afternoon we will visit Temple Newsam to look at a different range of beautiful species planted in the lawns including some lovely maples, tulip trees and sweet gums. The lawns are on a moderate slope, but the distance covered will be no more than 1km. Leader: Steve Joul
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10:30 am Meet at the visitor centre at the end of Mansion Lane. Those who wish to join us in the afternoon only are advised to speak to Steve a couple of hours beforehand to check that we are running on time.
1:30 pm Meet in the Home Farm car park to the east of the estate. From Colton Road, turn left just past the lodges and go down the hill into the car park. From Temple Newsam Road, turn left at the small roundabout and turn right at the lodges.
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