Doncaster Naturalists AGM – 4th September 2021
Webmaster’s Report
The 2021-22 Winter Programme has been added to the website. Due to the pandemic, it was decided that the 2021 Summer programme would not be advertised on the website, nor would advance notices be displayed, until the restrictions were lifted. However, reports of meetings that were completed were added to the website.
Twelve members projects for 2020 were archived and new pages were created for those members wishing to display their interests for 2021. Seven members have now contributed in 2021. I would remind the membership that this facility is available to all members.
The section on Articles is also available to all members wishing to add anything that may be of interest to other members.
I would remind members to continue with contributions for the Phenology Project, sending their observations to Mick Townsend. This can be an invaluable resource for indication of the effects of local global warming. A historical review of findings from 2002 can be found on the website under the Home tab on the menu.
As you are aware, the society started life as the Doncaster Scientific Society back in 1880. I have collated a number of exerts from old newspapers that refer to this early society that members might find to be of interest. These can be found under the Home tab on the menu.
I have continued adding members photographs into the Insects, Vertebrates, Plants and Galls sections as and when they are submitted, The Fungi section is still under development and awaiting photographs from members. Please continue sending in your photographs for inclusion.
The section for Doncaster Naturalist publications has links to Volumes Nos 1 & 2, and is awaiting PDF copies to be created for volume 3 so that these links can be added.
I am always open to requests from members where they feel that the website does not include their sphere of interest.
If any member who is familiar with running a website and would like to be involved with the running of the societies website, mainly as a back up to myself, then please get in touch.
Les Coe
Website update (March 2021)
You will have noticed that I have been active of late adding various sections to the website.
As well as isolation issues, from September I was unable to drive for 5 months so had time on my hands. This enabled me to consider how I could improve the website to cover many of the diverse subjects that might be of interest to members, providing them with an outlet for their nature photographs.
The insect section (Oct 2020) had proved very popular with the mothing fraternity, with a considerable number of moth photos being submitted, with generous contributions by Samantha Batty and Dave Williamson in particular.
Next, was introduced a section on Orchids (Jan 2021) which again attracted a good number of members submitting photos.
This was then expanded into a full Plant section by Feb 2021 with members were asked to submit their photos. This is still ongoing.
I next planned to include sections on Vertebrates, Fungi and Galls and to see if I could develop these before lockdown ended and spring was upon us. The Vertebrates section is well on its way to completion, while the Fungi section is hoped to be complete before next autumn when the fungi season gets started.
The Gall section requires a very different approach with regards to setting it out. I have asked for advice from Nora and Tom who are members of BPGS as to the best approach to take in setting out this section, and they are still pondering on this.
I anticipate that the Denaby Ings Section will grow as surveys are progressed, but beyond that I would seek recommendations from the Committee or members as to how they would like the website to develop.
For your information, the following list shows the photographic contributions made by members so far. (6 March 2021)
Samantha Batty 1184
Les Coe 479
Dave Williamson 334
Nora Boyle 300
Catherine Palmer 102
Martin Warne (guest) 77
Ian McDonald (guest) 78
Joyce Simmons 46
Tom Higginbottom 30
Louise Hill 9
Geoff Carreck 7
Caroline Barras 6
Tony French 5 (not including his ‘La Femme Fatale’ Photos)
Carol Benson 3
Margaret Prior 2
Mick Townsend 2
Ruth Brompton-Charlesworth 1