A note from the Chairman

Taking over as Chairman of any society is never easy, particularly when one has not lived in the area for very long, and also when one’s predecessor has occupied the chair for 12 years. Donald Campbell has done a remarkable job of building up the Society and in raising its local profile, and you showed your appreciation most generously when we appealed for contributions towards a leaving present. We were able to give him a watercolour of the Lower Axe Estuary by a local artist, some wine, and a cheque representing the balance of your contributions. He has used this to buy the new two-volume ‘Birds of Scotland’, a new pair of boots, and a selection of autumn raspberries for his fruit cage. He was also able to add to the sum collected for the Galapagos Conservation Trust at David Allen’s lecture, and to give something to the Esme Kirby Snowdonia Trust. A collection that gives a good idea of the breadth of Donald’s interests! He has asked me to give his grateful thanks to all those who contributed. He is, of course, not giving up his connections with the Society – he was elected President at the Annual General Meeting – and he continues to organise, and participate in the work parties that are such an important part of the Society’s activities.

Perhaps I should say a little about myself. Before moving to Devon I worked for 12 years at Kew Gardens, as an editor and as a taxonomic botanist, dealing with the classification and identification of plant families including the gingers (Zingiberaceae), the peas and beans (Leguminosae) and the yellow-eyed grasses (Xyridaceae), especially the African species. I was also marginally involved in Richmond Park, writing articles on park management and on various botanical matters for the Richmond Park Magazine. Before joining Kew I worked as a botanical consultant, a precarious occupation which took me to many parts of the World, but especially the southern Sudan, Venezuela, Tanzania and Uganda. I was also the secretary to the National Trust’s Local Management Committee for Wicken Fen – so I have some experience in site management! Before my consulting days I lectured at universities in Uganda and Ghana.

I have inherited a supportive and multi-skilled committee from Donald, and we shall continue along much the same paths that the Society has followed for the past ten years. Two newsletters a year (your contributions are always welcome); plenty of work parties; some lectures; bird watching trips; and walks of varying length and vigour, from gentle strolls with lots of attention to plants and other living things along the way, to quite long walks in the more challenging environment of Dartmoor or Exmoor.

But we do need more participation. Some of the walks that we organise attract very few people and more would be welcome. Work parties are usually attended by no more than five to ten people; many hands make light work!  Think of a work party as healthy exercise in the fresh air, and bear in mind that all sorts of animals and plants show themselves when we are working. In the Undercliffs we often see peregrines flying over, checking us out, and last week at Spring Head we found the old nests of harvest mice, like little grass-woven tennis balls, hiding in the base of the reeds. Nobody was at home, but we left some patches of reeds uncut to give them shelter when they reappear.

We also need more members. We attend various fairs and events, but recruitment at these is usually disappointing. Lots of interest, but few new members. This year we shall have our own stand at the Axminster Festival of Garden and Craft (21st and 22nd of June – mark it in your diary), and we hope to recruit there. But the best way of getting new members is through you, the membership. If you think your membership is worthwhile, tell your friends, and sign them up. There is a flier with an application form with this copy of the newsletter! Many thanks in advance!