Magnificent Seven have something in common with Burren
HERE’S an interesting puzzle for readers: What has the Burren World Heritage Site in Southern Ireland’s County Clare got in common with Glossop Rugby Club at Hargate Hill? And no, it’s not that half of the playing members of the club have visited this vast expanse of limestone escarpment during the many rugby tours I have organised to the area, and neither is it that both areas are ‘hilly’. Give up?
Okay, the answer is that both places have the wonderful flowers of the ‘Dactylorhiza fuchsii’ or common-spotted orchid.
And as you can see from this picture taken on the Burren recently, although they are ‘common’ they’re little beauties, and attraction enough to drag me away from the Guinness and oysters for a good half-hour whenever I’m on the West.
Among the limestone, and adorning the roadsides, they probably run into the millions on the Burren, whereas at the rugby club we have seven individuals, two of them white.
But a very important seven, maybe even the Magnificent Seven, and I must point out that I did face some ridicule from certain members for delaying the strimming of the banking by the club house to allow the orchids to flourish.
As president, I’m proud of many things our ‘little’ club has achieved, but these are special, and although they are now on the wane you could still catch a glimpse if you’re quick, as the banking will soon be getting a short-back-and-sides in time for the new season.