A Special Place

A Special Place by Adrian Leighton

Many of us have what we would call a special place and some of these are in natural surroundings. What makes therm special may, of course vary and is often very personal. It maybe that the place or area has a particular association or significance to our lives. Perhaps we were with or meet someone who is important to us there. Maybe we were just overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the place and of course beauty can be seen in many ways. If that place is easily accessible to us then it can be where we relax, unwind, reflect, think or even meditate.. There is one spot on Turnpike Fields that I find myself going to to reflect and even pray.

Almost by accident twenty eight years ago, I found a place that I have returned to with eager anticipation a number of times. I was engaged, at the time, on a three month travelling project which took me to places throughout the British Isles and Ireland.
One rainy Thursday July afternoon my wife Geraldine and I drove across an unbelievably bleak empty landscape that covered miles. So captivated were we that , the next day, I put my research on hold and we returned.
We discovered we were on the white expanse of a limestone pavement known as the Burren. It is an area situated in the North West of Ireland. What excited us as well as the wildness of this deserted place was the profusion of wild flowers tucked in the crevices which ran all over the surface. Since then it has called us back to discover more and more about the area and its very special wildlife.

On TUESDAY 19th MARCH at 7p.m. in the METHODIST CHURCH HALL as part of an Audlem Wildlife and Ecology Group Meeting, I will be giving an illustrated talk entitled "THE BURREN UNEARTHED".
As well as describing some of the special plants found there, I will also describe how the landscape came to be and look at the questions it raises for the future. This is a journey in time and space which you are invited to share with me. It is a meeting open to all, whether AWEG members or not. All are welcome.

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