The Swift - the newsletter of the South Cheshire Group

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The Winter Season (so far)

So far this year, we have had 2 winter meetings, and both have been most enjoyable and informative evenings.

In October our old friend Jack Smith gave a talk on “A beginners look at fungi “, illustrated by his own superb photographs. Jack is a very good speaker and photographer, who really knows his subject, including an abundance of Latin names without any notes whatsoever. I thought that fungi would be a boring subject, but Jack, with his knowledge, wit, and pictures, really brought the subject to life. The range of fungi was startling, some edible, some really poisonous, (despite my new-found knowledge, I will not be going out to pick my breakfast though), and the array of shapes and colours was mind-blowing. Thanks Jack for another interesting evening.

In November, we had an illustrated lecture on the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire. The Arboretum was the brainchild, (no pun intended), of Commander David Childs, CBE, and the first plantings were started in 1997. It is a memorial to all the men and women who have lost their lives, in conflicts, during the 20th century. However, the Arboretum is also a place for quiet contemplation, and a haven for wildlife.

Our first Summer meet of 2008 is to the Arboretum, details in the Chairman’s letter, and the Summer programme, elsewhere in this issue.

As Keith has noted elsewhere in this issue, out of the 800 plus members of South Group, we only see about 30 at our Winter meetings. I can say without hesitation that he rest of the membership are missing out on a great series of enjoyable and informative evenings.

If you haven’t been before, check out the rest of this Winter’s programme on the back page, and come along. You will not be disappointed.

John

Winter approaches

What a strange year weatherwise! A warm April, a wet May, a warm June and a wet July: is that how it went? And now the Spring bulbs are almost flowering, and it's still November (2007).

We went to a presentation the other evening which was encouraging us to invest in all sorts of home insulation, draught proofing, and low energy light bulbs, and we decided at least we could afford extra loft insulation, and that we really ought to finally replace all our old inefficient light bulbs.

“OF course”, I remarked to the young woman co-ordinating the event, “if the Gulf Stream stops due to desalination of the North Atlantic because of melting of the polar ice-caps, there will be a scramble for extra insulation and Double glazing, so we had better get what we can, whilst we can”.

She looked at me without comprehension and mumbled something about these things being a matter of opinion, and that was why she didn't express a point of view.

I gave a presentation about 5 years ago claiming that global warming was now a fact of life, and a certain gentleman pooh-poohed the idea as alarmist propaganda. Need I enlarge upon that point? Are the rest of you getting ready for our forthcoming Newfoundland winter?

Contacts

If you have read the Grebe recently, you will be aware that I have been noted as the contact for the South Group. I don't know why this has happened, and neither does Keith, who was the contact, but it has happened.

I have recently received several correspondence, and am more than happy to help any of our members who may have a query, or question about any of our activities

However, correspondence concerning membership, change of address, etc., must always be addressed to the Cheshire Wildlife Trust headquarters at Bickley Hall Farm, as all I can do is pass it on to them for processing.

I hope this clears up any confusion with regard to contacts

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