April is the month when you can discover the beautiful, delicate drooping bell-shaped purple or white flowers of the exquisite snake’s head fritillary which put on a show in traditional flood meadows such as those at Iffley Meadows, managed by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).
The Latin name for these delightful lilies is Fritillaria meleagris, but these fritillary are more widely known by their common name of snake’s head fritillary or chequered lily due to the chequered markings on the petals of their pale to mid purple flower heads, although occasionally a white flower appears amongst the purple blooms.
The fritillaria genus in general is a large one with around 130 different species growing worldwide, all belonging to the lily family Liliaceae. In Oxfordshire, we are fortunate to have three places where these delightful flowering perennials can be seen from late February to late May: Magdalen College Water Meadow, Iffley Meadows and the meadow close to St Bartholomew’s Church in Ducklington near Witney.
St Bartholomew’s Church in Ducklington celebrates the snake’s head fritillary every year when they hold their Fritillary Sunday which this year will be on 14 April from 12pm. They open the meadow near the Church inviting visitors to walk amongst the beautiful flowers. The Church is open and there are a number of activities including Morris dancing and musical interludes. Visitors can also indulge in a delicious cream tea or ploughman’s lunch in the village hall before stocking up at the plant stall.
The Ducklington meadow is owned by the Peel family who – although they no longer live in the village – have allowed the Church to continue running this fundraiser which began in the 1980’s when the Church was faced with major expenses for repairs and conservation work. Over the years, Fritillary Sunday has grown in size with additional activities added to encourage more visitors.
Ducklington is the only place where visitors are permitted to walk among the flowers which makes Fritillary Sunday so special. There are some 72 different plant species recorded growing in this meadow. Donations for this event are very much appreciated to help contribute towards the cost of maintaining this ancient building which dates back to the 12th century.
For further information please visit ducklingtonchurch.org.uk
