Fairfield Outing – Hidden Corners of Lancaster May 28th
by Ruth Pollock
On a warm, sunny evening in May, a group of nine gathered in Sunnyside Lane in Lancaster to enjoy a walk led by Chris Workman. He began by introducing us to the history of the area, pointing out the lanes, which in medieval times were the main roads leading from the centre of Lancaster to Aldciffe and the Marsh. These are now quiet and peaceful, away from the city crowds and traffic and used only by walkers and their dogs.
Leaving Sunnyside Lane we entered the Fairfield Millenium Orchard, which was created in 2000 by the local community with the help of various organisations and several benefactors. The site consists of a linear strip of land planted with a wide variety of fruit trees and bushes. Some of the older trees have been retained, including a large Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, to which bat boxes have been attached
As we explored the orchard, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Sparrow, Dunnock and Chaffinch were sighted or heard singing. On damaged Dock leaves, we found the black larvae and groups of yellow eggs thought to be those of the Dock Beetle Gastrophysa viridula, but there were no sightings of the adult beetles. There were young Medlar trees Mespilus germanica with attractive flowers, but with leaves suffering from leaf curl, probably due to a virus brought by aphids. We also discovered White Banded Snails Cepaea hortensis, Garden Snails Helix aspersa and an impressive Dusky Slug Arium subfuscus, which produces orange mucus. In a damp area of the orchard, Yellow Flag Iris pseudocorus, Meadow Sweet Filipendula ulmaria and Greater Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum were growing and Jennifer found a Redheaded Cardinal Beetle Pyrochroa serraticornis.
Leaving the orchard and rejoining the medieval way, heading towards Aldcliffe between ancient hedgerows, we noted a black Jelly Ear Fungus Auricularia auricula-judae on a dead Elder Sambucus nigra, in the hedge. In the field to the east we could see linchets, which indicated the medieval ploughing system used to create terraces and the fact that no more recent arable farming or building had been done there. Crossing a stream, we continued along the narrow footpath between hedge banks full of flowers - Red Campion Silene dioica, Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata, Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris, Herb Bennet Geum urbanum and Herb Robert Geranium robertianum,
Finally, the group completed a circular route, via a short, tranquil stretch of the Lancaster Canal and a pathway alongside school playing fields, back to the Fairfield Allotments and Sunnyside Lane.
Our thanks go to Chris for introducing us to this interesting, little known area of Lancaster and for leading us on a very enjoyable, evening walk.
Ruth Pollock
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