STUART FAWKES NATURE RESERVE
The meadows at the eastern end of our village, known locally as Box Farm Meadows, are precious limestone grassland - worthy of protection for that reason alone. However even more significantly they are one of the few remaining British sites of the beautiful "Meadow Clary", illustrated in the pictures below.
The beautiful Meadow Clary, Salvia Pratensis, is a rare and declining member of the dead nettle family that grows naturally in the chalk and limestone areas of southern Britain.
Meadow Clary grew in traditional hay meadows, flowering and setting before the hay was cut in July. Sadly in recent centuries many hay meadows have been "improved" by ploughing and the use of chemicals, destroying the habitat. Thankfully Box Farm Meadows have survived and it is now one of only 20 Meadow Clary sites in Britain and is one of a nationwide network of Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves.
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For more information about the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust visit