A Victorian Botanical Adventure: The Vale of York Field Naturalists Club at Rivaulx Abbey

On This Day
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:

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July 1, 1871

On this day, dear readers, a most extraordinary gathering took place in the verdant landscapes of Yorkshire.

The Yorkshire Herald, that venerable chronicle of local affairs, reported the inaugural meeting of the Vale of York Field Naturalists Club.

One can scarcely contain one's excitement at the prospect of such an assemblage!

Picture, if you will, a scene of bustling anticipation as forty-seven intrepid souls - both ladies and gentlemen, members and friends of the club - congregated at the Society's Rooms in Micklegate.

Despite the weather's petulant insistence on being "very unfavorable," our stalwart naturalists were not to be deterred. They boarded three four-horsed conveyances, no doubt with hearts aflutter at the promise of botanical wonders awaiting them.

Their destination? The majestic ruins of Rivaulx Abbey (pronounced "ree-VOH," for those unacquainted with local parlance).

Upon arrival, our merry band dispersed into smaller parties - geologists, botanists, and entomologists - each set to explore the valley's treasures according to their particular fascinations.

The geologists were interested with the sections laid bare in the quarries, and many interesting and beautiful fossils were found.

One can only imagine the thrill of unearthing these ancient remnants, each a whisper from Earth's distant past!

But it is the botanists' findings that truly set my gardener's heart aflutter. Allow me to share their delightful discoveries:

The botanists collected, amongst other plants, Saxiraga tridaclylitet (nailwort), Helianthemum vulqare (rock rose), Cuscuta Epithymum (clover dodder), Aquilegia vulgaris (columbine), Atropa Belladonna (belladonna or deadly nightshade), Polypodium Phegopterit (northern beech fern), P. Dryoplerit (oak fern), besides the common Scolopendrium vuigare (hart's-tongue fern).

What a cornucopia of botanical delights!

From the delicate nailwort to the bewitching belladonna, each specimen a testament to the rich diversity of our Yorkshire flora. I daresay many a gardener among us would be tempted to cultivate such treasures in their own plots - though perhaps we shall exercise caution with the deadly nightshade, lest we inadvertently poison the vicar at next week's tea party!

As the sun began its descent, our intrepid explorers reconvened at the Crown Hotel in Helmsley. There, they partook in a repast that was, by all accounts, a triumph of culinary artistry:

At six o'clock the party sat down to dinner at the Crown Hotel, Helmsley, which was served in Mr. and Mrs. Cowen's usual substantial style.

After doing justice to which the Rev. Vice-President Rowe addressed those assembled on the advantages of natural history and the beauties and history of the Abbey, and also stated he would shortly bring a very interesting piece of information concerning it before the public, he being hon. secretary of the Architectural Society.

It was arranged that the next monthly field day should be held at Bolton Abbey and Woods.

One can scarcely contain one's curiosity regarding the Reverend's promised revelation about the Abbey. What secrets might those ancient stones yet hold?

As the day drew to a close, our naturalists embarked on their journey home, their spirits buoyed by the day's adventures:

They then left for home, after a most agreeable day, which left every one with the feeling that this the first excursion of the club was a great success.

And thus, dear readers, concluded a day of discovery, camaraderie, and botanical wonder.

One can only hope that this auspicious beginning portends a long and fruitful future for the Vale of York Field Naturalists Club.

Perhaps it shall inspire you to don your own walking boots and venture forth into the glorious wilderness that surrounds us.

Until our next horticultural adventure, I bid you adieu and happy gardening!

View looking south-southeast through the nave of the church at Rievaulx Abbey., in Yorkshire, England
View looking south-southeast through the nave of the church at Rievaulx Abbey., in Yorkshire, England
A view of Rievaulx Abbey from Rievaulx Terrace
Rievaulx Abbey
Rievaulx Abbey
Rievaulx Abbey with Chapter House ruins in foreground
Rievaulx Abbey with Chapter House ruins in foreground

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