Valley Views

Spring seems to have well and truly sprung with the valley bursting into life everywhere you look. The early spring flowers are in full bloom carpeting

the valley with a rich tapestry of colours. There are around 1700 species of wild flowers in the British Isles. They have been used for centuries as medicines and food and there are many traditions and stories involving wild flowers. As winter subsides one of the first plants to flower is

the yellow coltsfoot. It is so eager to flower that it does not wait for its leaves to form; they appear later. It is the hoof- like shaped leaves that give the plant its name. This plant was used to “drive away coughs”. The plants parachute-like seeds need only the slightest of breezes to keep them airborne. The Daisy is a very pretty flower whose attractions

often get overlooked because it is so common. Its name comes from “day’s eye” as it opens in the daytime, but it actually needs bright sunshine to open. Its genius for survival is supported by its flat leaves which spread too close to the ground for animals to eat or mowers to cut. The yellow flower carpeting the woodland floor is

Lesser Celandine. The poet William Wordsworth praised the flower as shining “bright as the sun itself”. The roots were traditionally used in an infusion effective for curing haemorrhoids! The white Wood Anemone also carpets the woodland

floor with the drooping flowers responding immediately to the sun and raising their heads, petals wide to take it in, only to close again as soon as a cloud appears or evening comes. Everybody remembers holding a Buttercup under

their chin to see if they liked butter. The flowers rubbed on a cow’s udder were thought to improve the milk; however, this is far from the truth. Buttercups are in fact poisonous and cattle avoid eating them. You will also remember being told you would “wee the bed” if you picked a dandelion. This is closer to the truth as dandelions are used medicinally

to clear up urinary problems. Leaves may be eaten in a salad and the roots can be dried, roasted then ground to make coffee. Its toothed leaves give the plant its name – a corruption of the French dent de lion, lion’s tooth. Although not yet in flower Ramsons (commonly called

Wild Garlic) are covering the woodland floor. Already though if you accidentally step on a plant you will be hit by the strong smell of garlic. Everybody should be able to enjoy the joy of seeing

wild flowers in our countryside and it is important to not be tempted to pick any to take home. By law you must never uproot a wild plant without the landowner’s permission and many plants are protected from any form of disturbance. Remember no picked flower will ever produce seed. Try to disturb wild flower environments as little as possible; many plants are damaged as much by having their leaves trampled as by being picked or uprooted. As well as enjoying the spring flowers if you are down

in the valley a great way to relax is to find a spot in the woodland, sit down and listen to nature’s chorus. This is the best time of year to listen to bird song, with the male birds singing to attract a mate and defend their territories. Combine the bird song with the gentle breeze in the trees and the rushing of the water in the beck and you will soon be feeling totally relaxed. As good as a spa treatment and totally free. Practical task days continue every Friday with

conservation tasks taking place. If you have any spare time and would like to volunteer, call in at the centre or telephone 01287 622408 for more information. The Woodland Centre also has an active ‘Friends of

the Valley’ group; members are involved in many aspects of the centre including fundraising, running events such as the Pageant of Light, and many other activities, If you would like more information about the ‘Friends of the Valley’ group then again feel free to call into the Woodland Centre for more information.

Church seeks £54,000 for new boiler

Saltburn Methodist Church plans to replace the 40-year-old boiler in its Victorian cellar and is appealing to local people to help raise 10 per cent of the £54,000 needed. Property secretary Roger Lobley said funding

trusts needed to see that some donations had been received from townspeople, who use the hall’s facilities in large numbers. He said local Methodists had given a £10,000 grant

and the church had put in two applications for further funding totalling at least half the total needed. “It is vital that the church raises some money for

itself,” he said, indicating that £5,000 should be the target. Mr Lobley said the boiler was situated in a cellar

which was “at least 30 years older than any of us.” If the total needed can be raised, the church hopes to

start work on the project in September. Donations should be sent to the treasurer Alan

Richmond, 23 Hob Hill Crescent, Saltburn. Cheques should be made out to Saltburn Methodist Church.

CELLAR CHECK: Methodist church member Peter Chadwick checks the 40-year-old boiler in a Victorian cellar under the church in Milton Street. An appeal is being launched to help towards the £54,000 cost of replacing it.

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