What's on for members - August update

Dick Budden, our Treasurer, has sent this update to all our members - but if you're not already a member, please join!  It's only £10 a year. Dick wrote: 

'So - July did indeed turn out to be an eventful month for the society and we managed to start making things happen again.

'The moth survey, went down really well. This was our first meeting aimed specifically at engaging young people with the natural world. Over thirty people turned up, roughly a third of them youngsters, and we gained a number of new members for the society and for the mailing list.

'Ines has put together a whole programme of further events aimed at children and young adults: next up is a butterfly walk on Saturday 22nd August. Please encourage any young people you know to read about it here or via our Facebook page, and sign up for emailing at [email protected]. 

'Also on Facebook you’ll find a picture of jubilant volunteers celebrating the last ragwort being pulled from the community field. It took two sessions, but it was worth it: ragwort is poisonous to animals so it was vital to remove it to permit the annual hay cut without which the wildflowers we sowed a year ago will not flourish.

'And the members guided walk around Home Farm Teffont Evias also went really well (though sadly a few were forced to drop out when it was deferred by a day to avoid heavy rain). The 23 who came walked in socially distanced groups of five or six with our excellent guides, Jasper Bacon, Peter and Martin Shallcross (and the last two made the journey twice) and came away knowing far more about the geology, topography, history and natural history of the village and its surrounding countryside.

'Earlier the committee had been thinking about what we can do in the absence of indoor meetings to revive the society’s events programme, and this trip to Teffont seems to provide a template for the foreseeable future. So, in the first instance we are aiming to revive the Field Trip to Oysters Coppice and Gutch Common, starting at Semley that was postponed from earlier in the year, in a fortnight’s time.

'If you are interested and would like to join, please email [email protected] and tell me which date and time you would be able to come:
​
Field Trip to Oysters Coppice and Gutch Common, starting from Semley:
Saturday 15th August, a.m./p.m./either
and/or
Sunday 16th August , a.m./ p.m./either                      

'I hasten to add that it is unclear at present how many guides we have available to lead groups of 5 or 6 on this walk. And there’s a chicken and egg riddle here; the number we need depends entirely on the response. If you think you could take this on (with advice from Peter, Ines, Debbie etc.) do please let me know.

'I should also mention that Lizzy Paylan has left the committee, and we thank her for all her help, but that we’re delighted to welcome three new members; Laura Downer, Steve Flowerday and Ines López-Dóriga.

'Keep well.'