Meeting report
Just 4 of us turned out for this additional meeting: Pete Martin, Alan and Marion Rayner and Claire. We spent a pleasant hour in the walled garden (beautiful carpets of Marchantia polymorpha) and then decided to head for the River Severn where we had high hopes of riverine Orthotrichums, Hennediella and dreams of Myrinia 🙂
Sadly, although we found several Orthotrichums, we failed to find either O. rivulare or O. sprucei; our putative Hennediella turned out to be odd-looking Barbula unguiculata, and as for Myrinia, well it was only a dream!
We remain convinced that there is more to be found along the river here, and maybe a repeat visit is called for at some point.
Claire Halpin, May 2023
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Meeting details
Thanks to Des Marshall for organising this additional meeting with the owners of Elmore Court. Please note this is a mid-week meeting because Elmore Court is a popular wedding venue and is booked up most weekends.
Elmore lies on the eastern bank of the River Severn, south of Gloucester and immediately west of Quedgeley. We will park and meet at the main car park at the Court.
The easiest route is to leave the M5 at junction 12 and head north on the A430 towards Gloucester. Then find one of the several roads turning left/west towards Hardwick. Cross the canal at Sellars Bridge, by The Pilot pub, then follow the signs to Elmore. At the ‘green’, bear left slightly uphill and find the main gates on the right, SO 7828 1518. You are unlikely to miss these. Go through them and follow the signs to the car park. Cynneth, from Elmore Court, will meet us.
Several members of Gloucestershire Naturalists’ Society have been impressed by the re-wetting and habitat creation at this formerly rich wildlife site, which is potentially an important link between the Severn Hams around Gloucester. There are floodplain meadows, hedgerows, woodland and a walled garden with an orchard. A member of the Court staff will introduce us to the site and explain the progress of the restoration work.
Please ensure that you download and read the Risk Assessment below before the meeting
Download the Risk Assessment
