Grasses, Sedges and Rushes - Field Studies Council

Grasses, Sedges & RushesFriday 2 nd – Friday 9 th August 2013a course led by Judith Allinsonat Malham Tarn Field CentreOverview of the courseMalham Tarn Field Centre is an excellent place to studygrasses, sedges and rushes. Few other places can boastthat one third of the c.107 British members of the sedgefamily (Cyperaceae) can be seen within walking distance!Grasses and Rushes are very well represented too.This is because of the diversity of habitats: heathermoorland, peat bogs, limestone grassland and limestonepavement, ash and oak woodland, high altitude fens andcalcareous flushes. There are even artic-alpine specieswhich used to thrive when conditions were much colder,and now only survive in a few sites.This course will concentrate on learning how to use keysto help recognise the species, and on seeing the plants intheir habitats and will include: An introduction to the more common grasses,sedges and rushes. An introduction to flowering parts and vegetativecharacters helpful in identification of these plants,and examination of these under a microscope. Use of keys. Expeditions through the beautiful Cravencountryside to many different habitats to find themore unusual grasses, sedges and rushes.Provisional Programme:Fri Eve:Saturday:Sunday:Monday:Tuesday:Walk to Highfolds Scar (near Centre)Introduction to Sedges and Rushes; Walk atGordaleIntroduction to Grasses. Local Walk; Practicewith keysMalham Tarn Fen; revision; Free eveningIngleborough limestone pavements, andpossibly climb IngleboroughWednesday: Leighton Moss and ArnsideThursday: Projects; RevisionA significant amount of time will be spent studyinggrasses, sedges and rushes in their vegetative state.Once you can recognise a plant by its leaves you canrecognise whether it flowers or not. The AIDGAP Key tograsses (by Pankhurst and Allinson) will be introducedand used on the course.According to the interests of the group there will also beopportunity for discussion of grasses, sedges and rushesas indicator species of habitats and grasslandmanagement; of National Vegetation Classificationtypes; and for photography.Malham Tarn NNR is designated a Grade 1 SSSI byNatural England. At least one day will be spent studyingthis internationally famous site with its calcareous mire,fen and willow carr, raised bog, calcareous grassland andlimestone pavement.This course is for environment consultants, amateurbotanists, teachers and anyone wishing to build theirbotanical knowledge.Course Level: IntermediatePale Sedge (Carex pallescens) by Judith AllinsonAbout the TutorJudith Allinson, formerly a full-time tutor at MalhamTarn, is an experienced course leader. She co-wrote theAIDGAP key to grasses, and has carried out botanicalsurvey work for English Nature.The Field Studies Council (FSC) is an environmental education charity committed tohelping people explore, understand and be inspired by the natural world. Each year over100,000 people experience the FSC through visits to our network of 17 Centres

Course fees Resident – sole occupancy £660.00 Resident – shared accommodation £590.00 Non-Resident £443.00What is included within the fee? Up to 9 hours of tuition a day Full board accommodation including a cookedbreakfast, picnic lunch, home-made cakes and anevening meal. Vegetarian and other dietary optionsare available Tea and coffee making facilities availablethroughout the day Use of resources including library, workrooms,studios and the Centre grounds Centre organised transport during the course andmost admission feesNon-resident course fees include all of the above exceptbreakfast and accommodation.Booking procedureProvisional bookings can be made by telephoning thecentre on 01729-830331 or by completing the onlineform on the FSC website: www.field-studies-council.orgYou will then be asked to complete a booking form,located within the brochure or available to print off fromthe FSC website. Return this to the Centre with yourdeposit to confirm your place (or pay deposit on-line).Please note the booking conditions on the booking form,in the FSC Courses Brochure or on the FSC website.Start and finish timesPlease aim to arrive between 4.00pm and 5.30pm onFriday afternoon, allowing time to settle into youraccommodation before the evening meal at 6.00pm.The course will begin formally after dinner with anintroduction to the Centre.Non-resident guests – please arrive by 5.45pm.The course will end on Thursday evening, with mostpeople departing after breakfast on Friday morning.Other Courses This WeekFly Fishing (Fri – Fri)Drawing & Painting Flora (Fri – Mon)Art & the Limestone Landscape (Mon – Fri)Your partner, family or friend could join you for your stayto do their own thing or to fish the Tarn during thefishing season. Please ask for details.ExcursionsExcursions will be by Centre minibuses. On occasion itmay be necessary to use private cars, in which caseanyone who kindly uses their car will be refunded thepetrol costs.Travelling here:The Centre is located 4 miles North of Malham Villageand 7 miles East of Settle.Grid ref: SD 895673. Post code BD24 9PU. By Train The nearest stations are Settle andGiggleswick. We can arrange to collect you fromand return you to the station by Centre minibusdepending upon demand. Please call & let us knowof your arrival time in advance.Taxis from the station should be booked in advance– call 01729-822219 or 01729-824888. By Car Please follow the directions attached.Car Sharing If you would like to be put in touch withother participants who are coming from your area,please let us know.What to Bring A handlens of at least 8x magnification* Camera and binoculars if you wish. A dissecting kit, if you have one * Warm clothes and a torch for evening studies. Waterproof Jacket and Trousers * Walking boots, Wellington boots * Warm clothing, hat, scarf, gloves; thick socks Small rucksack, flask / water bottle, Sandwich box * Sun cream, insect repellent* These items can be borrowed at the CentreMalham Tarn experiences an upland climate - it can bebright and fine, but can also be cold, windy and wet.Please be prepared by bringing warm and waterproofclothing, and strong waterproof footwear.Some surfaces around the buildings are uneven and maybe slippery. Visitors are advised to wear flat shoes.Recommended Reading: Jermy, A C et al Sedges of the British Isles (BSBI)2007 or 1982. Hubbard C E Grasses (Pelican) Cope, T & Gray, A Grasses of the British Isles (BSBI) 2009 Stace, C New Flora of the British Isles (CambridgeUniversity Press) Fitter R, Fitter A & Farrer R Grasses, Sedges, Rushes& Ferns of Britain and Northern Europe (Collins) Rose F Grasses, Sedges, Rushes and Ferns of Britainand North Western Europe (Viking) Poland, J & Clement, E.J The Vegetative Key to theBritish Flora (BSBI) Clapham A R, Tutin T G & Warburg E F The ExcursionFlora (Cambridge University Press)Flowers of the Dales FestivalThis Course is part of theFlowers of the Dales Festival,which features a wide range of events and activities tohelp people discover and celebrate the wonderfulwildflower habitats found in the Yorkshire Dales. TheFestival is co-ordinated by the Yorkshire DalesMillennium Trust. www.ydmt.org

About the centreup a woodland track, where there is also a large parkingarea. Visitors to the Centre can expect to find a relaxedand friendly atmosphere.Warm and comfortable sleeping accommodation isdistributed across all three buildings. Many rooms haveen-suite facilities, beds are prepared, towels providedand tea and coffee making facilities are available in yourroom.Malham Tarn Field Centre is one of 17 Centres in the UKrun by the Field Studies Council, an independenteducational charity that helps people discover, explore,understand and be inspired by the natural environment.It is located high up (altitude 381m) in the heart of theYorkshire Dales National Park in a peaceful woodlandsetting beneath dramatic cliffs, overlooking MalhamTarn. The Tarn is the focus of an internationallyimportant National Nature Reserve and the area isknown for its magnificent limestone scenery, with thefamous features of Malham Cove and Gordale Scarwithin walking distance.Tarn House was built during the eighteenth century andextended by Walter Morrison, who inherited theproperty in 1857. Many eminent guests stayed at thehouse during his time, including John Ruskin, CharlesKingsley and Judge Hughes. The estate was given to TheNational Trust in 1946, who leased the House to the FSCfor educational purposes in 1947. The Field Centreopened early the following year with Paul Foster Holmesas the Warden.The Centre is an ideal place to study a variety of topicsand we offer courses at all levels for schools, collegesand universities, for vocational training and a wide rangeof special interest courses for adults and families. At anytime we may have a variety of groups at the Centre. TheHead of Centre leads a well-qualified and experiencedteaching team with a full complement of staff on thedomestic and administrative side. Courses are also runby carefully chosen guest tutors.Accommodation & Facilities The Centre comprisesthree buildings - Tarn House, North Wing and HighStables. North Wing is close to Tarn House separated bya cobbled courtyard. High Stables is a few minutes’ walkThere are four well equipped study rooms, a dryingroom, library, TV lounge, common room and tea room inTarn House and North Wing. A second common roomand bar are located at High Stables.The tuck-shop sells a range of confectionery, drinks,toiletry items, stationery, postcards and souvenirs. Thepublications shop sells maps, books, FSC fold-out chartsand keys. Note that the nearest shops and cashmachines are 7 miles away in Settle.Mobile reception is variable – public telephones areavailable if yours does not work! Computers haveinternet access, with wireless broadband accessible fromyour laptop, in some areas.High StablesCatering The dining room is located in Tarn House. Inaddition to a cooked breakfast and wholesome homecookedevening meal, materials are provided for you tomake a picnic lunch to enjoy wherever your course maytake you. Special diets can be catered for by priorarrangement. Drink making facilities are available at alltimes in the tea room.Important It is in your own interests to inform theCentre of any medical problems, disabilities, allergies ordietary requirements you may have. All information willbe treated in confidence.Malham Tarn, by Rod & Margaret Smith