As part of the Hay Time Festival we asked Dales Volunteer Debbie Heslop to make a month-by-month photographic record of the hay meadows at Grassington Park Estate. In 1919 these fields were incorporated into the grounds of Grassington Hospital. From then on the hay crop was still cut every year but animals no longer grazed and fertilized them. The result is a very special area crammed with wild flowers.
The hospital was eventually demolished and houses built in its place. The site is now protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and looked after by the residents. As the months went by Debbie’s photos showed how the field came to life. A public footpath runs through the field but if you visit please take care not to wander off the path in case you trample the flowers.
The thumbnails are arranged by month - select from the links to view different months.
January ~ February ~ March ~ April ~ May ~ June
July ~ August ~ September ~ October ~ November ~ December
