The spinney is around an old marl pit.  Marl is a lime-rich mudstone, that in times past was widely used to spread on fields to improve the soil.  As a result, in areas with marl, you find pits where the deposits were dug out and these often filled up with water afterwards.  There are two pools in our spinney and it is rich in wildlife.  There are lots of bluebells in the spring and there are wild service trees growing on the fringes.  Like the dog’s mercury, which is also present, it indicates a pocket of ancient woodland.

Ramson’s or Wild onion  (Allium ursinum).  Grows in the spinney and gives a smell of onion when you crush its leaves