Badgers
As we go to press there is a flurry of news on the badger culling issue. Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser, has published a report which outlines his recommendations, which to be honest, fly in the face of all the evidence so far put forward. He suggests that culling could be effective in areas that are contained, for example, by the sea or motorways (not too much of a worry for Herefordshire!), though in the Republic of Ireland despite setting over 6,000 snares a night, and virtually exterminating the badgers, the incidence of bovine Tb is now twice that of Great Britain.
Sir David Kings report has been submitted to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee who, as I understand it, will use it, along with the Independent Scientific Groups report, and the results of the public consultation (with 95% of 47,000 opposed to the cull), to come to the final decision about what will happen regarding badgers and bovine Tb in England.
This may still take a number of months. Personally I cannot believe that the select committee will cowtow to the farming lobby and misjudged opinions of the Chief Scientific Adviser, they have to follow at the reality of the science.
Fran Griffith
Conservation Manager
» Click here to visit the DEFRA web site.
» Click here to view the ISG's final report pdf (2.5MB).
Will For Wildlife week
Thank you to all the solicitors who kindly offered discounts to our supporters during Will For Wildlife week in October. Once again it has given those of you who had been contemplating writing a will the confidence to do so and at a reduced cost. It is never too early or too late to write your will and if any of you did miss the opportunity to take part do not despair as one local solicitor Gardiner Dallimore of 52 Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9AB has generously offered a 25% discount to our supporters throughout the year.
Please ring Douglas Gardiner on Tel: 01432 263535 for advice and an appointment.
» Click here for more information about legacies.
Black poplars needing good homes
The Trust still has a number of black poplar saplings, taken as cuttings from mature trees in the county, in the Bulmers tree nursery. If you would like to give a suitable home to one or more of these handsome trees please get in touch. Both male and female cuttings have been taken, and it would be really nice to have some paired together, but remember they grow into large trees so will need a lot of space.
The saplings will have to be collected from the Bulmers nursery at Kinnersley (GR SO 343 502) on Thursday 24th or 31st January. To order your trees please email or post your:
- Name, address/email and phone number
- Number of trees (male/female) required
- Your preferred date for collection
Please send or email to Francesca Griffith either at Lower House Farm.
Publicity and Marketing panel
Volunteers are indispensable to the Trust.
One of the groups of volunteers within the Trust that may not be known to many members is that of the Publicity and Marketing panel. The panel has had a very busy year in 2007, making sure that all the events that the Trust has been involved with have been organised as well as possible.
But a very important change came about this year, as Wally Bowles, the Trust’s Sales Officer, decided that he wished to retire, after 15 years in that difficult job. Fortunately, however, he stayed on the panel, which now deals as a group with the sales and ordering of goods for events and in reception. The Trust is very grateful to Wally for all he did for many years. The Trust also thanks Iris Bowles who represents the Trust in All Saints Church for Cards for Good Causes coming up to Christmas.
The panel was further depleted this year by the death of Anthea Brian, who will be greatly missed.
Questionnaire
We have now completed the analysis of the returned membership questionnaires and are happy to send a copy to anyone who wishes to see the entire set of results.
» Click here to download Membership Questionnaire Analysis pdf (128KB).
Sell on eBay and support HNT
Are you looking for a new and unique way to support Herefordshire Nature Trust?
Now you can sell an item on eBay and donate from 10% to 100% of the final sale price to help us ensure future generations can continue to enjoy local wildlife.
Clean out that closet or loft – you can sell practically anything on eBay and donate a percentage of your proceeds to Herefordshire Nature Trust.
How Does it work?
eBay has partnered with MissionFish, a not for profit service provider, to create the eBay For Charity fundraising programme which makes it easy for charities to benefit from trading on eBay. While listing an item on eBay you can choose to donate a percentage, or all, of your item’s final selling price to Herefordshire Nature Trust. Your item will feature a charity ribbon, our name and logo and the percentage you are donating so that buyers know that they are supporting a worthy cause.
To Start:
- Visit www.ebay.co.uk/ebay-for-charity
- Register for your eBay and MissionFish seller accounts.
- Choose an item to sell.
- Write an item title and description.
- List your item on eBay and indicate that it will benefit Herefordshire Nature Trust.
- Complete your transaction – MissionFish will collect your donation, claim Gift Aid (if declared) and pass both on to us.
We appreciate your continued support and wish you happy selling.
Tasteless find....a rarity
In March Ross Wild Connections volunteers found the rubbish they pulled out of Wilton Pond pretty tasteless - bikes, bins and trolleys. However, their work to improve this area and encourage people to value its wildlife potential is well founded.
A recent survey found tasteless water pepper Persicaria mitis growing on the pond margin. The sample has been determined by John Poland of the BSBI. The plant is rare in Herefordshire, this find is one of only four records. Wilton pond is the only site where it has been positively confirmed. As its name implies tasteless water pepper does not have the distinctive peppery taste of water pepper P. hydropiper, which can also be seen at Wilton pond.
To all our volunteers
We would like to say a very big thank you to every volunteer who has helped us this year. We hope you have enjoyed volunteering as much as we have enjoyed working with you – you really do make a difference to us, and contribute to helping to make Herefordshire a place rich in wildlife.
Volunteers Wanted
We urgently need more volunteer newsletter deliverers for Weobley and the surrounding villages, Much Dewchurch and parts of Hereford City. If you think you could help us in this way three times a year please contact Sarah Cole for further details.
» Click here for more information about volunteering.
Two very successful events
Many thanks to all those who helped to make the celebrity lecture and the AGM event successful. Staff and volunteers made members and speakers welcome, and both events were very enjoyable and informative.
Nancy Preece of the Wednesday group
Nancy Preece, a stalwart member of the Work Party, has done 25 years hard labour, and loved every minute – nearly! Come rain or shine Nancy remains beavering away, joining in the laughter and enjoying the company of the current group.
Jim Watkins was the leader when Nancy joined, he quickly discovered he had gained a gem, as Nancy did, and still does, take on everything with energy and enthusiasm. Large controlled fires with John Holland have always been a speciality, and there are quite a few hedges she has worked on planting and maintaining, while the steps at Nupend were done one summer by John, Jean, Nancy and Charles. Among names from the past she remembers with affection, as do all the long standing workers, are Basil, Joe, Jean, Steve and Ted. Colourful characters who had “their little ways”.
Her favourite reserves are those with water, and she has fond memories of clearing the stream around Upper Welson, and just seeing the yellow globe flowers blossoming there. But she doesn’t like snakes!!
Nancy can and does quote poetry, finding apt lines for different happenings. On one occasion she managed all eighteen verses of “The Highwayman”, losing some but not all of her audience along the way.