Messing about with Mags in Minsterley

The next field outing will be to Minsterley Meadows SSSI, Callow Lane, Minsterley, at 1pm on Sunday 7^th July. 

Park and meet at Minsterley Parish Hall, SY50EH; 
Grid Ref SJ37520483; What3words:marketing.eggshell.opposites.

The two fields (approx 13.5 acres) are old semi-natural hay meadows, floristically rich and supporting Shropshire's largest population of Green-winged Orchids Anacamptis (Orchis) morio, which number in their thousands.

The Middle Marches Community Land Trust have made an offer on these meadows and are currently fund raising: https://middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk/minsterley-meadows-appeal/

The Shropshire Botanical Society has made a pledge of £500 and on Sunday 7th will make a species list, to create an up-to-date record of what the site supports. 

There is a fund raiser event in the morning which is why we are starting the survey after lunch at 1pm to enable anyone to attend the fundraiser talk at the Hall first: Minsterley Meadows Fundraiser Event: The Natural Garden Sunday 7th July, Minsterley Parish Hall

10.00  – 12 noon: Nancy Lowe, The Natural Gardener (thenaturalgardener.org.uk) (donations to the Appeal), picnic lunch if required. To attend you must book your place through: conference@middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk

For attendance on the Shropshire Botanical Society survey, contact leader Mags Cousins for further details; mags@bagbatch.co.uk, 07873 532681.

We look forward to seeing you next week.

Limestone Lovelies!

 We will be meeting at Blackbridge Quarry in Llynclys, SJ 2781 2417 on Saturday 15^th June at 11:00 AM. https://w3w.co/like.clearcut.watch.

This is another site managed by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The site of an old limestone quarry, there are many lovely plants to see here including Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid, Arabis hirsuta Hairy Rock-cress and Platanthera chlorantha Greater Butterfly-orchid.

Platanthera chlorantha Greater Butterfly-orchid 

For further information about the meeting please contact John Handley, 07507 054695, johnhandley11@gmail.com.

Minsterley Meadows Update

The Middle Marches Community Land Trust are fundraising in order to buy and manage two flower-rich Meadows at Minsterley. Amongst many other species, the meadows support the largest population of green-winged orchids, Anacamptis (Orchis) morio, (below) in Shropshire. This has led to their designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England.

The appeal to buy the meadows is now live and will be officially launched on Sunday 9^th June at 10:30 am at Minsterley Parish Hall, all are welcome to this event:

https://middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk/minsterley-meadows-appeal/

The Shropshire Botanical Society is supporting the campaign by pledging £500 and raising awareness through blog articles and writing to Minsterley Parish Council.  Mags Cousins, one of our Vice County Recorders, will be attending the launch which comprises talks and slide show, followed by a walk around the meadows.

You can make personal pledges by email to: info@middlemarchescommunitylandtrust.org.uk 

or by post to:

Middle Marches Community Land Trust
Enterprise House
Bishops Castle
SY9 5AQ