DNS Occasional Newsletter No. 6
Dear Member,
As I write, the sun is shining and some early butterflies are on the wing. We had a most enjoyable trip to Roche Abbey last weekend to see the Yellow-star -of -Bethlehem and the Town Hall Clock Flower. I hope the enclosed programme of events will inspire you to join us on at least some of our outings this spring and summer.
Forthcoming Trips
We have been contacted by Sir Jack Whittaker, the owner of Bawtry Forest, who wishes to manage a 25 metre wayleave underneath powerlines, for the benefit of wildlife and he has asked us to survey the area. We are including an evening visit and hope to run at least one moth trap and listen out for bats with our new bat detector.
We had a talk from Phil Cunningham about bee-keeping a few weeks ago and, on behalf of the Doncaster Bee-keepers, he has invited us to join them at one of their sites, Marr Grange.
Member Darren Buxton has asked us to look at Stables Wood on Barnburgh Cliffs and Tony French, whom longer-standing members may remember from the 1970s and 80s, has invited us to survey his large garden in Conisbrough. He is providing home made refreshments, so I do need to know numbers beforehand for those trips.
Extra Activities
This is the time of year to observe amphibian activity as Frogs, Newts and Toads come to water to breed. Colin Howes is always glad to receive records, particularly from people with garden ponds. For anyone who would like to take it a stage further, Richard Sunter the amphibian recorder for the YNU, is organising some evening visits to ponds in our area. If you would like to be included please give me a ring. We have already been to Hexthorpe Ings, Potteric Carr and Moss Fish Farm.
Publication
Our most recent publication ‘A Year at Manor Farm’ by Deena Robinson has been well reviewed and enjoyed by all kinds of readers. We did a print run of 400 and still have plenty left. It will be on sale at Doncaster Museum later this month to coincide with an exhibition on the Humberhead Levels. It really is good value at £2.50.
Winter Activities
We have had some excellent speakers during the winter but attendances have been embarrassingly low. We are considering having a monthly indoor meeting during the winter plus a monthly field trip. Another suggestion is to include an occasional daytime meeting somewhere in the town centre, the library maybe, with a speaker. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
YNU Conference
This year’s theme at the YNU Spring Conference in Harrogate was The Humberhead Levels, and once again Doncaster was well represented. Inspiring speakers included Peter Skidmore, Paul Buckland and Brian Eversham, all contributing to an excellent occasion. Some of the displays will be included in the Humberhead Levels exhibition at the Museum referred to earlier. Next year’s theme is Parks and Gardens.
News
The Nats are not really a campaigning organization, although our constitution does include in its aims, the protection of habitats. I am sometimes contacted by members of the public wanting advice about what to do to when confronted by what they see as damaging development or neglect of wildlife sites.
The latest planning application for a large, modern agricultural building in a small field at Owston, adjacent to the Sutton Common archaeological site, was recommended to be granted by the local planning officers. Earlier this week I attended the Planning Committee and was allowed 5 minutes to speak. I am delighted to report that the elected members refused the application. It is now up to DMBC to ensure that the enforcement notice to take the building down, is acted upon.
The Rossington Bridge story continues – very slowly. So far the Ombudsman’s decision doesn’t appear to have made much difference but we are talking to the 3 landowners involved and the Local Authority now has an obligation to assist in reaching a suitable outcome. So maybe one day…… just watch this space!
I am sad to report the deaths of previous members Maurice Clayton from Stainton, John Keywood (known affectionately as Little John) and Doris Hanson (widow of Maurice). You will probably have heard that Stephen Warburton, Conservation Manager of the Yorks Wildlife Trust, died in January at the tragically early age of 53, after a short illness. There will be a service of Tribute and Celebration on Sunday June 20th at the Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Micklegate, York at 2.00pm.
Martin Greenland continues to find the over-wintering eggs of the White-letter Hairstreak. Last weekend, after visiting Roche Abbey, we moved on to Fordoles Head Lane between Braithwell and Maltby where Martin found an empty egg shell on Wych Elm. This is a site we will be returning to in May.
Society Business
We were delighted that, at the Annual General Meeting, Martin agreed to join the committee.
It was also decided at the AGM to offer those of you who may have moved away, or can no longer get to meetings regularly, the opportunity to receive the twice yearly mailings, by paying £2 annually to cover the administration costs. Please let me know if you would like to take that option and do spread the word to those with whom we are no longer in contact.
Despite the pleas in the last newsletter, no-one has volunteered to take on the organization of the programme, or to act as publicity officer. We are increasingly becoming aware of opportunities to promote the society and our activities and it would be wonderful if there was someone out there who would be prepared to take on the task of following up these openings. We had a stall at the first Local History Fair last September. The event was such a success that this year it will be a 2 day affair on September 18th and 19th. We would appreciate offers to man our stall for a couple of hours on either of the 2 days.
We have now spent all the Local Agenda 21 money. We decided not to go ahead with the purchase of computer software, and were given permission to spend the money on some laminated Field Guides instead. We can take these out into the field so we felt they would be of more use and interest to a greater number of people.
Finally
I hope you will be able to join us on at least some of our summer activities but even if that isn’t possible, we are always pleased to have any natural history records or observations you may have to pass on.
Pip Seccombe April 2004