NEWSLETTER JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH 2012

Outdoor Meetings: Strong footwear and waterproof clothing is essential on all walks. Please notify the leaders if you intend to go. (This is important as very occasionally outdoor meetings have to be cancelled or meeting places changed).

Indoor Meetings are held at Wolverhampton Cricket Club, Danescourt Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, WV6 9BJ, on alternate Mondays from January to March and September to November, at 7.30 pm. A small charge of £1 is made on entry towards the Society’s funds, including the cost of speaker. (Following a recent committee meeting of the Society, it was agreed unanimously that from September 2011, guests would be charged £2 per meeting for admission to Indoor Meetings. The charge to members would remain the same at £1).

Tuesday 27 December – Worfield – Leader: Geoff Lambert (Tel No 01902 342819)

Start time: 10 am. Meeting place: The car park almost opposite The Dog Public House. Directions: Wolverhampton-Bridgnorth Road to Wheel Public House, turn right sign-posted Worfield. Follow directions to village. Car park on right-hand side. Distance of walk: 6 miles approx. Terrain: Interesting and scenic, via Rindleford Mill and stopping at High Rock for lunch with good views of the River Severn and Bridgnorth. This is the traditional combined post-Christmas walk with Wulfrun Walkers. Rum and chocolates may be available!! Refreshments: Bring a packed lunch. Finishing time: 2.30 pm ish.

Saturday, 7 January - Trysull - Leader: Andrew Milligan (Tel No 01902 763657)

Start time: 10 am. Meeting Place: Wombourn Station. Directions: From Wolverhampton take A449 to Wombourn Island, third exit, follow signs for Wombourn Station. Distance of walk: 4 miles. Terrain: Easy, mainly flat walk around local villages. Refeshments: Bring a snack if required. Wombourn Station Cafe and local pubs available if required after walk.

Monday 9 January - Antarctic Adventure – Speakers: Gareth Phillips and Andrew Milligan

Gareth and Andrew will be recalling their visit to the Antarctic recently and the combination of Gareth’s excellent photographs and Andrew’s graphic commentary should make it an evening not to be missed.

Monday 23 January - The Flowers of Birmingham and the Black Country – Speaker: Prof Ian Trueman

Ian was a lecturer at Wolverhampton Polytechnic (and later the University) from 1970 – 2005 and is an active member of the Staffordshire, Shropshire and Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trusts, and co-author of the Ecological Flora of the Shropshire region and the Flora of Montgomeryshire. His talk will be about the nearly completed project for a first Flora of the Birmingham and Black Country area and he will present some of the more interesting plants and habitats of the conurbation.

NOTE: THREE WEEKS BETWEEN THESE TWO TALKS

Monday 13 February - Ingonyame, Ingwe, Mapingpengs – Speaker: John Langley

John, and his wife Tracy, share an interest in both wildlife and photography that stretches back over more than 30 years. The talk they will be presenting will be about the wildlife of the Kruger National Park, South Africa, following a journey through the Kruger in search of birds and mammals with a special emphasis on big cats.

NOTE: ONLY ONE WEEK BETWEEN THESE TWO TALKS

Monday 20 February - From Coral Reefs to Charcoal – Speaker: Tim Coleshaw

Tim is an old friend of the Society and manager of the National Nature Reserves West Team of Natural England. He will be talking to us about the History and Natural History of Wenlock Edge – an area most of us will know well and this should prove to be an interesting and informative evening.

Saturday 3 March – The Wom Brook to Heathmill – Leaders: Harold and Margaret Carr (Tel No 324330)

Start time: 10.30 am prompt. Meeting Place: Wombourne Civic Centre car park. Directions: From Wolverhampton follow the A449 to Wombourne Island and follow the signs to Wombourne. The car park is the one with the clock on top. Terrain: Very flat, no stiles. Distance: 4 miles. Refreshments: If desired bacon and egg etc available at Heathmill cafe. Finishing time: 1.30 pm approx.

Monday 5 March - Birding the Wild West: Alan Heath

Alan is a new speaker to the Society and is a wildlife photographer. His presentation follows a three week trip to the bird-rich state of Arizona during July/August 2010 which is the peak period for hummingbirds and many other special breeding birds.

Monday 19 March - On Wings to the Falklands: Speaker: Jean Summers

Jean is another new speaker to the Society and is a former Chairperson of The South Birmingham Group of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. Until recently she was a Reserve Warden at one of their Nature Reserves. She has also worked as a voluntary warden for the RSPB on Ramsey Island. The title for this talk partly comes from the fact that she flew to the Falklands with the RAF from Brize Norton.

Saturday 31 March – Cannock Chase – Leaders: Barbara and Bob Pucknell (Tel No 01902 850533)

Start time: 10.30 am. Meeting Place: Cannock Chase Visitor Centre Marquis Drive.(SK 004153) Directions: A449 to Penkridge. Right at first roundabout along B5012. Ahead at first roundabout, then right at end of road (another roundabout), pass school on right. First left (Pottal Pool Road) and straight ahead at next roundabout. Ahead at crossroads, then first right. Ahead at crossroads, first left, then first right (one-way system in operation). Visitor Centre is on left. Terrain: Good paths across Chase, some undulations. Distance: 4.5 miles. Refreshments: Available at Birches Valley Forest Centre. Finishing time: 2.30 pm approx.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 28 NOVEMBER 2011

The following nominations were made, voted on and confirmed:

President: Andrew Milligan elected for 3 year term AGM 2010
Honorary Secretary: Brenda Jones elected for 3 year term AGM 2009
Honorary Treasurer: Ken Horton elected for 3 year term AGM 2009
Achivist: Sheila Moore elected for 3 year term AGM 2010
Outdoor Meetings’ Secretaries: Brian Jones and Margaret Harper elected for one year (Proposed Brenda Jones, Seconded Andrew Milligan)
Committee: Olly Cadman resigned. Terry Taylor elected for 2 years AGM 2009 (now extended to 3 years), Barbara Pucknell retired by rotation, Anthony Cain elected for 3 years AGM 2010. NOTE – NO NEW NOMINATIONS WERE RECEIVED FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS. However, Iris Linn volunteered to be co-opted on to the Committee at a short meeting held between herself, Andrew Milligan, Ken Horton and Brenda Jones after the meeting. She has duly been co-opted.
Social Committee: Andrew Milligan, Lindy Beere, Brenda Jones, Brian Jones, Dr Peter Sullivan elected for one year (Proposed Marj Horton, Seconded Bob Pucknell)
Auditor: Mr J Griffiths elected for one year (Proposed Ken Horton, Seconded Eric Gregory)

POST OF TREASURER OF THE SOCIETY

Ken Horton announced that he would like to resign from the post of Treasurer (after some 17 years in the post) at the AGM in 2009 – thereby giving the Society three years’ notice of his intention. At a recent meeting of the committee it was agreed that as this was such a vital post in the Society, soundings should be taken now in an attempt to obtain a nomination for the post of Treasurer before the AGM of 2012. To this end Ken has kindly supplied a “Job Description” detailing the duties of the role, which is given below.

MAIN DUTIES OF THE TREASURER

1. To ensure that the Society works within its financial resources so that within reason expenditure compares with income.
2. To maintain in an orderly and professional manner the financial records of the Society.
3. To bank all cash and cheques for subscriptions, coffee morning and meetings etc as soon as possible.
4. To pay all bills and speakers promptly
5. To prepare the Annual Accounts and present them to the Committee and Members at the AGM and liaise with the Auditor.
6. To liaise with the Secretary so that membership records etc are up-to-date.

FORWARD PLANNING – dates for your diary

Saturday 14 April – Shatterford – Leaders: Ken and Marj Horton

Saturday 21 April 2012 – Perton Spring Festival
This Society will again be represented at the Perton Spring Festival. Last year the event was well organised and enjoyed by all. We are looking for members to assist with our stand to promote the Society. If you can spare an hour, between 10:30 am and 3:30 pm to help, please contact Anthony Cain, Tel: 01902 765258 or email: anthonycain@live.co.uk

Saturday 5 May – Coffee morning – Louise and John Henly

Tuesday, 12 June 2012 – Coach Trip

This is being organized by Pat Newill of Wulfrun Walkers, and she has invited members of the South Staffs Naturalists’ Society, together with members of other organisations, to join members of Wulfrun Walkers on the trip. Booking form attached to this newsletter. Here are some details from Pat to whet your appetites.

Our coach trip next year will be ‘A day full of Contrasts.’ You won’t want to miss it. Something a bit different.

A morning visit to the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker just south of Nantwich followed by lunch and a garden visit at Wollerton Old Hall Garden near Market Drayton. A great day out with something for everyone.

Saturday 21 July - “Class of 42”

As many of you will know the “Class of 42” host a tea party at Trysull Village Hall every five years to mark the anniversary of their significant birthdays. In 2012 it will be held on Saturday afternoon, 21 July. All members of South Staffs Naturalists’ Society and Wulfrun Walkers are invited together with family and friends of the hosts. In the past it has been a very enjoyable social occasion with everyone bringing a plate of food to share and the hosts providing the alcoholic and other beverages. Do put this date in your diary.
More information will be provided nearer the time. The “Class of 42” (Lindy Beere, Brenda Jones, Brian Jones, Andrew Milligan) are looking forward to welcoming you to their next “Birthday Tea”.

Saturday, 8 September – Annual Luncheon

Saturday 8 December – Coffee morning – Angela and Anthony Cain

SUBSCRIPTIONS

These are due on 1 JANUARY 2012. PLEASE SEND TO THE TREASURER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT REMINDER LETTERS DO NOT HAVE TO BE SENT. Anyone who has not paid by 31 March 2011 will be deemed to have resigned and will not longer receive the newsletter. The Jan – March 2012 Newsletter will either be distributed by post or email as usual. (If you wish to receive your newsletter by email, please ensure you can receive attachments and give your email address on the form below.)

Many societies are now contacting their members by email to save on the escalating postage, paper and printing costs. Members who receive their newsletters by email will get them about a fortnight earlier than those who have them sent by post. This is because they can be emailed as soon as they are word-processed and we do not have to wait for them to come back from the printers and be sent out by post or to be distributed at indoor or outdoor meetings. Many thanks for your co-operation.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ANNUAL PROGRAMME CARDS WILL BE SUPPLIED WHEN THE 2012 SUBSCRIPTION HAS BEEN RECEIVED. THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE AT INDOOR AND OUTDOOR MEETINGS.

(Detach here)

MEMBER’S SUBSCRIPTION 2012
Single £11 Family £15 Student £5 I enclose subscription of £ ______________

NAME Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms __________________________________________________

ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________

POST CODE _________ TELEPHONE NO ___________ MOBILE NO ____________

EMAIL ADDRESS (the Secretary is up-dating her email list and would be pleased to have any changes etc. However, please only supply if you access your email on a regular basis, and can receive attachments, and are happy to receive your newsletter by email).
_______________________________________________________________________

Please make cheques payable to SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY and return to the Hon Treasurer, Ken Horton, “Rossmore”, 2 Kingswood Close, Much Wenlock, Shropshire, TF13 6BY

Coach Trip Tuesday 12th June 2012

Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker & Wollerton Old Hall Garden.
9 am. Depart from Tettenhall Green. Parking in Tettenhall College.
10.30 am. Arrive at Hack Green Nuclear Bunker. Coffee/tea etc. available in the canteen (not included) and the rest of the morning should give us plenty of time to see everything there is to see.
1 pm. Depart for Wollerton Old Hall Garden.
Approximate arrival at 1.30pm when lunch will be ready for us.
Lunch includes Prime Ham served with a selection of salads & bread roll, a choice of puddings plus coffee or tea. We then have all afternoon to visit the garden.
5 pm. Depart for Wolverhampton.

Cost. £42 pp. (Based on 30. Hopefully if we fill the coach a small refund will be possible)

PLEASE DETACH HERE AND RETAIN THE TOP COPY FOR REFERENCE
................................................................................................................................................

Coach Trip Tuesday 12th June 2012.
Hack Green & Wollerton Old Hall Garden.

Please reserve…………..places Total enclosed: £ ......................................................

Name…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Address .............................................................................................................................

Tel No ................................................................Email address .......................................

Cheques payable to: P. Newill by 1st. May 2012 please and send to: 18 Finchdene Grove, Finchfield, Wolverhampton, WV3 8BG. (Tel No 01902 76332)