Great Bardfield Oxlip Project

Numbers of this nationally scarce plant have declined dramatically over the past 30 years, so a new project aims to re-introduce the species to one of its former strongholds, Gt. Bardfield in Uttlesford. The Essex Biodiversity Project is contributing expertise and funding to the project.

Gt. Bardfield has a very special relationship with the Oxlip. In the nineteenth century the parish boasted 'meadows yellow with oxlips'. They were so prolific that Doubleday and Charles Darwin used samples from these sites in their work on the plant. As a result, it was known for many years as the 'Bardfield Oxlip', one of the very few plant names to include the name of an English village.

Essex Wildlife Trust, in collaboration with Essex Biodiversity Project, and an enthusiastic group from the village, is introducing pot-grown oxlips to two sites in Gt. Bardfield. The plants are being grown by experts at Writtle College. There will be interpretation and educational opportunities and enhanced access to the meadow sites where the plants will be re-introduced; Piper's Meadow in the heart of the village and a meadow at Bardfield Great Lodge on the outskirts.

Ray Tabor, chairman of the Essex Wildlife Trust, is leading the project. He commented " Oxlipds have played an important role in Bardfield's village life for many years. They are seen on the village coat of arms and the schoolchildren's sweat shirts. A countywide survey in 2002, however, showed very few plants remained. The loss of this plant here would be a tragedy for both nature conservation and the village's heritage.

The project is funded by the Local Heritage Initiative, Nationwide Building Society, Essex Biodiversity Project and Braintree District Council.