Chacombe village and Chacombe Parish, Northamptonshire. B&B , what's on, news, directory, history, conservation, walks, church.

• Chimes •
• Tour • Late news – What's on • Far and wide •
• Footpaths • School page • Young people's page •
• Sports & Social •History • Conservation • Church & Chapel •
• Village Hall • Chacombe timeline • Directory • Contact us •

If you would like more conservation information for Oxfordshire you can receive a weekly email giving details of events and information from the Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum. For details on how to receive this information go to: http://www.oncf.org.uk/

Berry Close Conservation Verge

This verge has been maintained for the benefit of wild flowers for some years by me, Geoff Jones, on behalf of Chacombe Parish Council.

I have been disappointed by the general disappearance of wild flowers from roadside verges and heavily farmed areas of England over my lifetime and felt that this verge could show what our roadside verges could be like and how useful they could be to encourage wildlife.

In 2003, I had to contact Northants County Council because the County verge mowing contractors were mowing too much of this verge and interfering with the conservation management. A new County officer, who has the responsibility to promote biodiversity in the County, decided that the verge should be designated a 'Conservation Verge'. This explains why signs have appeared in the verge.

The verge is still being managed by me and, from time to time, new information about the verge will appear on this page, in the Chacombe Chimes and on the noticeboard at one end of the verge next to the George and Dragon.

Flower of the moment – Hay rattle


Hay rattle – Rhinathus minor

Hay rattle, once so common, is now uncommon and has been planted here. It is important in helping to recreate the now rare, flower-rich meadow habitat that this verge resembles. As a parasite of grass roots it reduces the size of grass plants and this helps other flowers to spread. It is an annual and produces seeds which rattle in the dry fruit. To keep going, it needs to set new seed every year and the seed will only germinate in quite thin grass, which is why it is not common.

Geoff Jones

Photos – Geoff Jones