Events in  2006 and 2007

Our last meeting was on Thursday, November 22nd at                                                                         Whitebrook Villaage Hall  when  Teona Dorrien-Smith gave a fascinating talk on                                   'Upper Redhouse Farm -  the triumphs and pitfalls of its conservation' followed by a very sociable supper.

Our Annual General Meeting was held on Friday, March 9th in the Millennium Hall, Llandogo at 7.00pm.  Julian Branscombe of Gwent Wildlife Trust gave an illustrated talk about insects and their importance in meadows. This was followed by a very enjoyable supper giving members an opportunity to meet other members. 

Saturday, 16^th June - Flora Locale arranged a Grasslands  Day organised by GWT at Springdale.

Saturday 7th July - GWT Landowners Day  - 10am-1pm

Plant Identification Days

Saturday, 19^th May & Saturday, 30^th June  - Caroline Howard – ‘What’s in Your Meadow’

Wednesday, 20^th June & Thursday, 28^th June. Dave Green   - ‘Introduction to Meadow Plants’.

Open Day 2007  
This was a two day event because of its success of last year and was held on Saturday, June 9th and Sunday, June 10th at four sites, as follows: 
 

PENTWYN FARM AND ADJACENT LAND

The farm owned by the Gwent Wildlife Trust comprises ten fields.  Four are species-rich hay meadows, one of the largest areas of unimproved grassland in the county; six are semi-improved pastures but are gradually becoming more flower-rich.  Thick hedgerows divide up the fields and there is a medieval barn restored in 2003.  Adjacent to the farm are some important flower and butterfly-rich pastures in private ownership; two of these pastures are now being managed by the Trust.  Among the many species in the hay meadows and pastures are Spotted Orchids and Greater Butterfly Orchids, Birds-foot Trefoil, Knapweed, Ox-eye Daisies and Hay Rattle.

From Monmouth take the B4293 signed Mitchel Troy and Trelleck.  Once over the Trothy River bridge bear right up hill towards Trellech.  After 2 miles bear left at the Penallt sign. Continue along the road until the village crossroads.  Turn left here and then right before the war memorial to the Bush Inn. Park to the west of the inn by a modern barn and walk up the track to Pentwyn Farm.  Some parking is available here at the medieval barn.

 Site 2
TY MAWR CONVENT MEADOW, NR TRELLECH 

In the grounds of Ty Mawr Convent is an apple orchard and hay meadow with a wonderful diversity of flowers, as well as seats where you can sit and enjoy the spectacle.  Flowers include Spotted, Pyramidal and Twayblade Orchids, Red Clover, Birds-foot Trefoil and Ox-eye Daisies and many more.

Ty Mawr Convent can be found from the Monmouth to Trellech road where it is signposted from the junction towards the Whitebrook valley but take the left fork.  Continue along the lane for ½ mile and the convent is signposted on the right.  Park in the Convent grounds. Alternatively from Penallt, go back towards the Trellech to Monmouth road but take the first turn from the village crossroads to the left.  Where this minor road is joined by another road, continue for a few yards and bear right. The Convent is about ½ mile along on the left.

Site 3
MARYLAND FLOWER MEADOW

The meadows surround the house known as Four Acres, with small areas in front of, and behind, the house kept as lawns. The grassland is very species-rich with abundant Spotted and Greater Butterfly Orchids and delicate flowers of Lousewort, Tormentil and Milkwort.

 From the centre of Trellech follow the signpost to the Narth. After the turning to Bacon Hill there is a second turn to the right signed to MARYLAND.  Four Acres is on the left hand side with a driveway with drystone walls on either side.

Site 4
LOWER GLYN FARM, FAR END, LLANISHEN

The pastures that lie on either side of the Penarth Brook include two north-facing fields, one to the west of the house with a spring and wet flush running down to the brook, and a series of south-facing steep pastures. These are interspersed with areas of woodland and there is Alder woodland along the brook.  Below the house is a lake in the valley bottom in a fenced area of grassland.   The grasslands, grazed by sheep and alpacas, support a wide diversity of meadow grasses and other plants (70 species recorded in July 2003).  Harebells grow in abundance on the eastern north-facing field and elsewhere there is abundant Birds-foot Trefoil, Yarrow, Rough Hawkbit, Knapweed.  Look out for Common Blues and perhaps even a Dingy Skipper among the Small Skippers, Ringlets, Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns. Small Meadow Ant mounds occur on the south-facing slopes.

As you come into Llanishen from Trellech, take either of the first two right turns.  These join near the Village Hall; continue along the road (to the northwest) - the church is on your left - for about 1 mile.  At a sharp left hand bend, turn right on a track to Lower Glyn Farm.  Parking is signposted.  

Tuesday, October 10th 2006 at the Pelham Hall, Penallt at 7.00pm, when Roger Evans gave a wonderful talk on Grassland Fungi. This was followed by supper and wine and everyone seemed to enjoy the evening!

Our 2005 AGM was held on Thursday, March 23rd 2006 at the Babington Centre in Trellech and began with a short 2005 AGM and was followed by a lively and interesting debate on grazing led by Charles Morgan (PONT), Jim Swanson (GAP) and Chris Stubbs (Woolhope Dome Project). A delicious supper of locally produced food with lots of wine finished off the evening well!