25
REPORTS OF MEETINGS
Sible Hedingham. 5th June, 1983
Thirteen members and three children met at
H. J. Rawlinson's mill at Sible Hedingham, by
kind permission of the owners. As all the
local footpaths ended in beds of stinging
nettles or crossed featureless fields, the
party was obliged to walk along little-used
lanes for most of the way. Fortunately in the
six days between the leader's preliminary
visit and the outing the weather had improved
considerably, so that the early summer flowers
had come into bloom. At least 83 species
were identified.
Before climbing the first lane, a roadside
corner was thoroughly examined, among its interesting
species were Goat's Beard (Tragopogon pratensis),
Cut-leaved Cranesbill (Geranium dissectum), and
Lesser Trefoil (Trifolium dubium). The lane
was very lush and a good variety of flowering
plants and shrubs was found, including both
Red and White Campion (Silene dioica and S. alba),
Wild Arum (Arum maculatum), Broom (Cystisus
scoparius), Prickly Sow Thistle (Sonchus asper),
Rough Chervil (Chaerophyllum temulentum) and
Herb Robert (Geranium robertian urn).
With normal botanical progress, it was lunchtime
at the top of the lane, which we were able to
take in a field with a view towards Wethersfield.
A short distance from here was a pond with Yellow
Iris (Iris pseudacorus), but these were probably
planted.
The downward lane being more used was not so
botanically interesting. Some of the party
strayed into a semi-derelict farmyard where Wall
and Field Speedwells were growing (Veronica