The Dales Slipper: Past – Present

The Dales-slipper is an original, enlightening, investigative account of how an orchid, (The Lady’s-slipper) having thought to have disappeared from the English countryside forever, was re-found and protected in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, before pioneering conservation efforts, fraught with difficulties, saved it from the brink of extinction. Up, until my research, this remarkable story had been kept secret for over ninety years; by per chance, I happened to be living in the township of where this secret was kept and by another coincidence I had a family connection!The Dales-slipper relates in detail the full-bodied tale, finally revealing where and by whom the re-discovery of the Lady’s-slipper was made, and exposing at last the names of all the plant guardians and the feuds that plagued their dealings as they protected the orchid colony for almost 40 years.Illustrated with dozens of previously unseen images, it brings together a vast diversity of evidence, including previously untapped archives and personal testimony from contemporary witnesses to events. From its re-finding in 1930 to the conservation efforts of today you will be fascinated by the ‘behind the scenes’ perseverance and endeavours of naturalists, scientists and specialists to save what is probably the most unique and most beautiful member of the British flora we fortunately still have. With an exceptional amount of primary evidence The Dales-slipper is also fully referenced.It is the first complete account of this fascinating true story – given the breadth of information it also will probably be the only one! In its current form it has been edited by three renowned editors – one a senior editor working for the Royal Horticultural Society, another a highly educated botanist, nature advisor to King Charles, fellow of the Linnean Society and editor of various journals and publications. The third being, the Chief Scientific officer for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. It has two written forewords, again, by two highly esteemed and relevant individuals, one based in the UK and the other in Estonia. The book will appeal to many; plant lovers, historians, gardeners, orchidophiles, scientists, ecologists, conservationists and naturalists.Read Paul Redshaw’s blog