VISITORS can step back in time hundreds of years if they go to the wildflower meadow by St Mary’s Church in Oldberrow this Sunday, July 18.
For the meadow is a treasure trove of precious native flowers and their seeds and is of such significance that its hay is regularly cut and scattered at major natural sites like the Heart of England Forest to enhance biodiversity and rewild areas with native British species.
And while visitors enjoy the spectacle and beauty of the site they can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a cake along with key botanists and ecologists invited along for the day.
“The meadow is what’s termed as ‘agriculturally umimproved’,” said church warden Jane O’Dell.
“This means it hasn’t been sprayed or ploughed and as a result it has retained so many native wildflowers.
“In this country its estimated we have lost 97 per cent of our hay meadows, and that’s why it is of interest.”
The church itself is of interest – founded in Saxon times, it was largely re-built by the Victorians but retains its Norman fount.
It’s is easy to find too – from Redditch it’s on the A4189 road to Henley in Arden and on the right hand side after three miles.
The event runs from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and all are welcome.
