As you walk through the gates of Raby Castle, the gardening team have planted wildflower seeds in fine, healthy-looking soil. At this moment, all that can be seen are tiny green shoots emerging from the soil, but judging by the number of seeds which have germinated, at flowering time this area will be a cascade of outdoor colour attracting pollinators. The grass on lawns will be allowed to grow longer adding to this natural touch.
Wildflowers and meadows
As well as becoming resplendent, these anticipated future displays reminded me that wildflower meadows are such a vital habitat to the ecosystem and environment as well as being crucial in decreasing the effect of climate change. Insects need wildflowers to survive as well as being essential pollinators. Many small mammals and insects feed on insects. This reminder highlights the fact that since the 1930s, 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost. It is no surprise that since 1976, more than half of British butterflies have been lost. It is encouraging to think that Raby Castle is drawing attention to wildflowers and meadows.
Taller grass is also not only beneficial to insects and small mammals, but it has longer root systems which encourage healthier soil and helps minimize soil erosion. Dandelions, moss and clover are banned from our neatly cut lawns. They are weeds, plants in the wrong place so definitely not welcome in lawns.
A world of flowers and plants
On entering the castle, one is drawn into a world of flowers and plants befitting an ancient building that tells stories over time. A representation of the moon made from dried grasses is suspended from the ceiling, reminding us of darkness, as Selene glides through the night sky on her silver chariot. The moon in the Old Farmer’s Almanac serves as a guide of when to plant crops and flowers.
Beyond that dried grass and moss on what appears to cover stones, lead one’s eyes up the stairs. Moss appeared 450 million years ago on this planet. It can grow on bare surfaces and is the creator of soil in our prehistoric earth. Without the groundwork of the moss this Earth would still be a rocky landscape with no forests and no flowers. Dried grasses next to the mossy ‘stones’ add to this illusion of the past.
Passing through the medieval passage there are four arches covered in dried flowers with brightly coloured everlasting flowers at the bottom merging into darker brown and shadows on the wall adding to the effect of light and dark.
The library plants have been recreated from an old photograph. These consist of large green foliage plants including ferns and of course an aspidistra. On the wall of the library is a painting of the 10th Baron, Christopher William Vane in military uniform. The 10th Baron was wounded twice and was honoured with the military cross.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His company was the last of the battalion to evacuate the trenches. He remained behind until all his men were clear and assisted in giving covering fire with the last platoon although badly wounded. He set a fine example and cheered his men on, quite regardless of his own safety.” (London Gazette 1918.)
However, the brave Chrisopher William Vane became the 10th Baron and only inherited because his elder brother Henry Cecil Vane was killed in the war. He was wounded and died shortly afterwards in hospital in France in October 1917. Estimates suggest that he was one of the 880,000 who died.
Flowers can signify various things like a red rose for love. In the case of WW1, poppies growing on Flanders Fields led to the remembrance of those like Henry Cecil Vane who gave their lives.
There are Dutch Flower paintings in the ante library. To accompany these there is a glorious display made from silk flowers echoing the Dutch paintings. Tulips play a part in this display, reminding of how tulips were a symbol of wealth, status and power during the tulip mania beginning in the 17th Century.
Entering the dining room, one is immediately captured by the majestic floral displays in flower containers of silk flowers on the dining table. Both Disraeli and Gladstone dined here at separate times whilst two of the flower containers graced the table.
The meaning of flowers
In this strict Victorian era, flowers conveyed messages. There is a meaning to flowers, floriography. These messages would have been familiar to those around the dining table. Forget-me-nots, conveyed, ‘I will not forget you’, honeysuckle meant ‘sweetness and bonds of love’, whilst pansies conveyed ‘I will miss you’. There were so many other flowers which could convey a coded message. Kate Middleton followed this tradition when she married Prince William. Her bouquet was lily of the valley, ‘trustworthiness and return of happiness’, ‘Sweet William’, William and gallantry’, hyacinth ‘constant love’ and myrtle, a tradition since Queen Victoria meaning ‘love and marriage’.
Proceeding upstairs to the Baron’s Hall, the symbol of the sun leads to a fantastic display of contrasting colours of everlasting flowers appearing to rise from the floor, some cascading along the floor itself. A piano seemingly playing adds to the ambience, one tune appropriately being ‘Moon River,’ -the moon to ascertain when to plant the flowers and the river, water needed to make them grow.
In the Chapel there is a single arrangement of white flowers, the White Rose of the House of York, a reminder of the Wars of the Roses and the allegiance to Yorkshire. The kitchen reminds one of food and drink with sheaves of corn, bay leaves and hops displayed in various places.
Throughout the exhibition little touches add to the experience; a cupboard containing flower bedecked porcelain objects like small teapots and an Italian violin. There was evidence of people with teacups and biscuits on a small table and bottles of champagne. These objects emphasised the fact that this exhibition of flower displays had always been a part of life in Raby Castle. Like many others I am sure I am looking forward to returning in the summer to see the wildflowers, long grass and walled garden.
An initiative by Raby Castle is that school children can take part in a creative art project and at this time over fifteen schools have been encouraged to design and create a canvas based on their experiences of this exhibition. These will be wonderful, I am sure.
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