 |
Current
Committee (as at 2001): |
President:
Vice-President:
Treasurer:
Secretary:
Newsletter Editor:
Typesetting:
Affiliated Societies Rep.:
Individual Members Rep.: |
Mrs A.R. Locksley
No current nomination
Mr Jim Ranson
Dr Martha Newton
Mrs Patricia Francis
Mr Mike Walton
Mrs Julia Hancell
No current nomination |
[ History ] -[Aims
] -[Joining ] - [Future]
- [Events ] - [Lecturers
]
History:
From the archives: As a result of publicity in "The North Western
Naturalist" a meeting was held on the 23rd February 1929 at Manchester
University (chaired by Mr T.A. Coward), to consider the foundation of
a Union. A small committee was elected and this met on the 2nd March.
It was agreed that the proposed federation should be called "The
North Western Naturalists' Union" and that its objectives should
be -
- to systematise and co-ordinate all the existing records of work
done in the area and to stimulate and extend this for survey work,
- to provide lectures for the various affiliated societies included
within the Union,
- to publish the work of the societies,
- to assist in preserving the amenities of the country.
From then on events moved swiftly. A foundation meeting was held at
Manchester University on the 26th October 1929, and finally, on the
18th January 1930, the new Union held its inaugural meeeting in the
same place. Both of these meetings were chaired by Professor F.E. Weiss.
In 1934 a Year Book was produced for the years 1928-1933 which set
out all of the Officials and the Council made up from the 15 Affiliated
Societies and the 38 Individual Members. In addition to the Constitution
and Rules, the Report contacins a List of Referees, a Panel of Lecturers,
a Lantern Slide Exchange and a review of the Union's work from its foundation
to the end of 1933.
It is interesting to note the names of the original 15 Affiliated Societies
now some 70 years ago. Six societies are still (as at 1999) still extant
- those in Altrincham, Blackburn, Preston and Warrington, together with
the Manchester Microscopical Society and the North Staffordshire Field
Club. Of the nine former affiliated societies, local ones were Manchester
Entomological and Literary/Philosophical Societies, Oldham Microscopical
and Natural History Societies, United Field Naturalists and North East
Lancashire Naturalists' Union. Further afield were those at Burton-on-Trent,
Caradoc, the Severn Valley Field Club and the Offa Field Club.
As the current Treasurer of the Union I was curious to find out the
subscription rates in force in the 1930s. These were:
- Society with an annual subscription of 1/- (05p) - 5/- (25p)
- Society with a membership of 50 or under - 5/- (25p)
- All other societies - 10/- (50p) - for the first 50 members and
1/- (05p) for each 50 or part 50 thereafter to a maximum of £1
Stirling.
- Individual Members - 5/- (25p)
I am reliably informed that £1 Stirling in 1929 would be the
equivalent of £35 today (1999); this means that the subscription
for membership of the NWNU should be approximately £8.75 (i.e.
25p x 35). Since the current subscription (as at 1999) is only £3,
it would seem excellent value, being only 12 times what it was seventy
years ago.
Jim Ranson (Treasurer - 1999)
Aims:
- to systematise and co-ordinate all the existing records of work
done in the area and to stimulate and extend this for survey work,
- to provide lectures for the various affiliated societies included
within the Union,
- to publish the work of the societies,
- to assist in preserving the amenities of the country.
How To Join:
Please contact the Mr Jim Ranson at: 297 Whalley Road, Accrington.
BB5 5AD
The Future
For The NWNU:
There were 41 replies to the 1999 questionnaire concerning the future
of the N.W.N.U. - representing, at that time, some 30% of all members
(individual as well as affiliated societies). In general , the Affiliated
Societies were satisfied with the services received, (i.e. favourable
insurance cover , speakers lists, etc.). However, individual members
were not so impressed and felt that the Union was not living up to its
past record of the "good old days". Three main areas were suggested
for action:-
- Establishment of more "specialist" sections.
- Greater emphasis on biological recording.
- Improvement in the content of the "newsletter".
At a meeting of the Committee immediately prior to the A.G.M., the
following decisions on these three topics were made:-
- It was felt that the N.W.N.U. did not have the facilities or the
expertise to expand the "specialist" sections. Furthermore, we would
only be duplicating what is already done by the Wildlife Trusts and
independent specialist societies. It is proposed, therefore, to cover
this point by advertising meetings (indoor and outdoor) by the above
groups so that the interested N.W.N.U. members can attend and follow
up their specialist interests. However, the N.W.N.U. also remains
committed to fostering the development of specialist sections set
up from time to time by groups of members, who may eventually decide
to form themselves into separate societies affiliated to the N.W.N.U..
- Again, biological recording is carried out both by the Wildlife
Trusts and again the N.W.N.U. would only be duplicating their work.
However, now that the North West Biodiversity Audit has been launched,
there is ample scope for both Affiliated Societies and individual
members to take part in this project. Further details and guidance
will be given on this later.
- This issue is the "new look" newsletter. It was decided to drop
the title of "newsletter" and make the publication more of a magazine
or journal containing articles of interest mainly in the area covered
by N.W.N.U.. It is hoped to maintain a steady flow of interesting
articles for publication. If any Society or Member feels inclined
to write such an article, by all means do so. Articles should be sent
to the Editor whose contact details can be found on the inside cover
of this issue.
The continued existence of the N.W.N.U. does not, of course, rest solely
on the results of one questionnaire. If, at any time, you feel that
you can contribute to a successful future for the Union, the Committee
will be pleased to hear from you. Our progress to improve the Union's
services is an ongoing exercise.
W.L. Johnson - (NWNU Chairman - 1999)
Events 2001/2002:
Please Note: Because of the 2001 Foot and Mouth Epidemic, ALL filed
meetings may be subject to cancellation and/or alteration. PLEASE CHECK
IN ADVANCE WITH THE ORGANISERS OR LEADERS BEFORE SETTING OUT !
North West Naturalists Union (NWNU):
- 10th March 2001 - Saturday - Annual General Meeting (AGM)
-
at Wilmslow Guild, 1 Bourne Street, Wilmslow, Cheshire at 2:00pm -
an illustrated lecture will be provided by Mr Owen McCann, NWNU President,
entitled: "A Postage Stamp View of the Natural History of
Ireland".
Cheshire & Wirral Ornithological Society (CAWOS):
All meetings are held in the Cranford Suite, Knutsford Civic Centre,
Toft Road, Knutsford, Cheshire. The doors are open at 7:30pm for a 7:45pm
start. An entrance fee of £1.00 to members and £2.00 for
non-members will be charged at all meetings, except the AGM which will
be free. A coffee break is usually taken halfway through the evening.
We are pleased to welcome at each meeting "Waxwing Books"
with their comprehensive range of natural history books.
For frther information ring: Sheila Blamire (01565 830168), or check
out our web-site over at: www.cawos.org
- Friday 2nd February 2001 - An Alaskan Journey - Tom
Lawson
- Friday 2nd March 2001 - AGM and Members Slides - Following
the AGM we will see the entries and winners of the Annual CAWOS Photographic
Competition and, time permitting, other members' slides.
Accrington Naturalists' Society:
Indoor meetings are at Cannon Street Baptist Church Hall, Accrington,
on Sunday afternoons commencing at 2:30pm.
- No meetings indicated so far this year (2001).
Lancashire & Cheshire Entomological Society (LCES):
All indoor meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month (unless
otherwise noted) in the Frodsham Community Centre, Frodsham, Cheshire,
commencing at 7:30pm. Outdoor meetings (i.e. field work) are held at
the site noted usually starting at 11:00am (unless otherwise noted)
and usually continue into the evening for moth trapping.
The LCES now has its own web-site at: http://www.consult-eco.ndirect.co.uk/entomol/lces/
- Tuesday 20th March 2001 - Insect Photography In The Field
- an illustrated talk by: Bob Letsche at Frodsham Community Centre,
Fluin Lane, Frodsham at 7:30pm.
- Saturday 24th March 2001 - LCES Exhibition Meeting
- at Frodsham Community Centre, Fluin Lane, Frodsham, Cheshire starting
at: 1:30pm until 4:30pm All welcome.
- Tuesday 17th April 2001 - GM Crops - An Illustrated
talk on genetically modified crops by Greg Sage (ex Monsanto) commencing
at 7:30pm. All welcome.
- Saturday 9th June 2001 - Field Meeting at Nercwys (SJ220578)
- Meet at the forestry gate, 1.5Km east of Eryris. Possibility of
seeing Nightjars. Contact: Rob Whitehead - Tel.: 01824 704507 (E-mail:
robaud@haulfryn99.fsnet.co.uk).
- Saturday 14th July 2001 - Field Meeting at Bickerton Hill,
Cheshire (SJ350528) - Contact: Carl Clee - Tel.: 0151 200 7042
(E-mail: carl.clee@btinternet.com).
- Saturday 11th August 2001 - Field Meeting to be arranged.
Contact: Marion Barlow Tel.: 01928 723871 (E-mail: marionj.barlow@virginnet.co.uk).
- Saturday 11th August 2001 - Field Meeting - National Moth Night
- Mothing at Cotterill Clough (SJ805839) - Contact: Steve McWilliam
- Tel.: 01928 573697 (E-mail: steve.mcwilliam@btinternet.com).
- Tuesday 16th October 2001 - Review of the 2001 Season
- at Frodsham Community Centre, Fluin Lane, Frodsham, Cheshire at
7:30pm.
- Tuesday 20th November 2001 - Members Slides Evening
- at Frodsham Community Centre, Fluin Lane, Frodsham, Cheshire at
7:30pm.
- Tuesday 18th December 2001 - Members Videos and Xmas Social
Evening - at Frodsham Community Centre, Fluin Lane, Frodsham,
Cheshire at 7:30pm.
Cheshire Moth Group:
- Saturday 31st March - Little Budworth Country Park
- daylight session to look for Orange Underwing. We'll also do some
larval work. This will be followed by an evening light trapping session
for things like Lunar Marbled Brown, Yellow Horned, and Oak Beauty.
Meet in the main car park (by the toilet block) at 2:00pm for the
daylight session, 6:00pm for the evening session. Organiser: Adrian
Wander
- Saturday 7th April - Marbury Country Park/Anderton Nature
Park - Organiser Paul Hill
- Sunday 8th April - Leasowe, The Wirral: - Daylight session to survey
the Belted Beauty (BAP specie). Meet in the main car park, on the
right just past the lighthouse at 10:00am. We will take a look at
the insect at its known haunt. There will be an opportunity to search
other local areas for the insect in the afternoon - Organiser: Adrian
Wander
- Friday 4th May - Moore Nature Reserve, Nr Warrington
- Organizer: Jeff Clarke
- Saturday 12th May - Marbury Country Park/Anderton Nature
Park - Organiser Paul Hill
- Saturday 9th June - Marbury Country Park/Anderton Nature
Park - Organiser Paul Hill
- Saturday 23rd June - Caldy Hill (mixed woodland-heathland)
Wirral, Nr West Kirby - Organiser: Jeff Clarke
- Saturday 7th July - Moore Nature Reserve - Organiser:
Jeff Clarke
Marbury Country Park/Anderton Nature Park - Organiser Paul
Hill
- Saturday 4th August - Caldy Hill. Wirral (evening only).
Organiser: Jeff Clarke, Marbury Country Park/Anderton Nature Park
Organiser Paul Hill
- Weekend of 4th/5th August - Paul Waring will be visiting
the region. An event is planned in Lancs for the 4th August and hopefully
an event will be organised in Cheshire for the 5th August. Details
next time.
- Saturday 1st September - Moore Nature Reserve - Organiser:
Jeff Clarke
Marbury Country Park/Anderton Nature Park - Organiser Paul
Hill
The sessions at Caldy Hills and Moore Nature Reserves organised by
Jeff Clarke and the sessions at Marbury Country Park/Anderton Nature
Park organised by Paul Hill are parts of on going survey work at the
sites.
Manchester Field Club:
Rambles Organiser: Mr P.D. White, 10 Charter Road, Altrincham,
WA15 9RJ - Tel.: 0161 928 3614
Visitors are welcome on all rambles but attend at their own risk. Important:
please check current bus and train times before travelling. Lifts are
gladly arranged. Contact the Leader or the Rambles Organiser in advance.
BM1 = Bring a packed lunch.
Saturday evening meetings are held in Committee Room 1, Manchester Town
Hall, commencing at: 7:00pm. Committee meetings start at: 6:30pm (18th
March 2000).
- 6 January 2001 - Saturday - Chorlton and Sale Water Park
- Meet at 11:00am at the Wardens' office, bottom of Maitland Avenue,
off Barlow Moor Road. Leaders: P. and D. White (0161 928 3614).
- 13 January 2001 - Saturday - Anglesey - 7:00pm - by:
Mr Jack Smith.
Saddleworth Naturalists:
All events listed for Saddleworth Naturalists are held in the Brownhill
Visitors Centre, Uppermill, Saddleworth and commence at: 7:30pm.
- 10 January 2001 - Wednesday - Norway - by: Andy Collinson.
- 14 February 2001 - Wednesday - Butterflies and other Insects
- by: Nick Martin.
- 14 March 2001 - Wednesday - The Great Migration (Serengeti
Plain, Tanzania) - by: Janet Lancaster.
- 11 April 2001 - Wednesday - Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- Plus members slides and light refreshments (subscriptions £5.00
now due).
- Wednesday 13th June 2001 - Ogden Reservoir - Meet
at 7:00pm at the car-park by the Ranger's Office, Waterwork's Road,
Newhey, off Huddersfield Road (A640) - Leader: Miss Anne Symonds.
- Wednesday 11th July 2001 - Slackcote Valley - Meet
at 7:00pm at the Methodist Church car-park, off High Street, Delph.
Leader: Mr Nick Martin.
- Saturday 14th July 2001 - Scammonden Reservoir - Meet
at 10:00am at Buckstones car-park, junction of A640 & B6114, for
convoy to car-park at the southern end of the reservoir (bring a packed
lunch) - Leader: Mrs Barbara Smith.
- Wednesday 8th August 2001 - Broadbottom Circular -
Meet at 7:00pm at Broadbottom Station - Leaders: Mrs Barabara Smith
and Mrs A. McKeever.
- Wednesday 12th September 2001 - Herbs - A talk - 7:30pm
at Brownhill Visitor Centre, Dobcross - by: Mr John Steedman.
- Wednesday 10th October 2001 - Birds of Islay - A talk
- 7:30pm at Brownhill Visitor Centre, Dobcross - by: Mr Gordon Yates.
Manchester Microscopical and Natural History Society:
The Manchester Microscopical and Natural History Society now has its
own web-site at: http://www.biomed.man.ac.uk/ns/mm/mms/
Meetings are held in the Stopford Building (Medical School), University
of Manchester, corner of Oxford Road and Aker Street (next to the Holy
Name Church), commencing at 7:00pm until 9:00pm.
All are welcome at meetings - feel free to bring a friend or two. Non-members
and members of other societies are welcome. The Society Library will
be available at all meeetings and includes copies of the MMS Newsletters.
- 18 January 2001 - Thursday - Bacteria and Dental Plaque
under the Microscope - by: Dr Pauline Handley - A microbiologist's
view of oral biofilms alias dental plaque.
- 15 February 2001 - Thursday - Microtechnique Discussed
- Several contributors - Tissue processing, wax embedding, section
cutting, histological staining, and slide mounts - what everyone needs
to know !
- 15 March 2001 - Thursday - Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- The AGM is a short business type meeeting followed by Members Exhibits
and Gossip. All exhibits, large or small, will be of interest, especially
from beginners.
- 19 April 2001 - Thursday - A Pest in Need of Control
- by: Dr Roger Wood. Illustrated talk on a lifetime of researches
into the Mediterranean Fruit Fly or medfly.
Wigan and District Field Club:
Indoor meetings are held in Appley Bridge Village Hall and commence
promptly at 7:30pm. Suitable clothing and stout footwear are advised
for all field trips.
- No meetings indicated so far this year (2001).
North Western Naturalists' Union: Bryophyte and Lichen Section:
It is advisable to check with the section secretary or foray leader
to ensure that the meeting will take place. Please let us know if you
expect to be late. Some sites have restrictive parking and it would
be beneficial to share cars wherever practical. Please bring a packed
lunch.
Contact: Owen McCann, Section Secretary, 0161 962 1226; John Lowell:
0161 485 6892, or: Tony Smith: 01663 744499 - Thank you.
- 24th February 2001 - Rivington - Meet car park SD638148
(OS 109) - Leader: John Lowell.
- 17th March - Deep Dale - New Plant Life Reserve -
Meet car park SK171702 (OS 119) at the bottom of Taddington hill.
Leaders: Tom Blockeel and J. Costley.
- 28th April 2001 - Brushes Clough Reservoir - South
West of Denshaw - Meet SD968095 (OS 109) - Leader: Dr Martha Newton.
- 26th May 2001 - Lumb Spout - Trawden - Meet SD916380
(OS 103) - Leaders: Alan and Norman Bamforth.
- 16th June 2001 - Bickerton Hill - Meet N.T. car park
SJ494525 (OS 117) - Leader: Mike Walton.
- 21st July 2001 - The Quinta and Swettenham Meadows
- Meeet Swettenham Arms SJ800672 (OS 118) - Leader: Tony Smith.
- 18th August 2001 - Thurstaston Common - Meet car park
at the west side of teh Cottage Loaf Restaurant on A540. SJ247845
(OS 108) - Leader: Len Johnson.
- 15th September 2001 - Bonsal Mines, Bonsal Woods -
Meet SK265572 (OS 119) - Leader: Dr Martha Newton.
- 13th October 2001 - Padley Gorge - Meet Grindleford
Station SK250788 (OS 119) - Leader: Joan Egan.
- 10th November 2001 - Birkdale - Meet car park Ainsdale
Boating Lake SD301128 (OS 108) - Leader: Daniel Wrench.
- 1st December 2001 - Trent and Mersey Canal, Middlewich
- Meet 702668 (OS 118) in front of the Big Lock public house. - Leader:
Mike Walton.
- 5th January 2002 - Programming Meeting - Slide show
at 2 Mayfield Avenue, Sale, Cheshire, M33 2GNat 13:30 hrs.
Fylde Naturlaists' Society:
The Fylde Naturalists' Society Programme Secretary is: Carole Thaw
who can be contacted on:
Tel.: Blackpool 316713
All mid-week outings are by members' own cars.
- Saturday 19th May 2001 - Visit to the Claughton Heronry (SD520428)
- Meet at 10:30am. Afterwards a walk through Brock Valley.
- Wednesday 23rd May 2001 - Round the Mere - Meet at the Lawsons
Road Gateway at 6:30pm - Leader: Mel Lander.
- Saturday 26th May 2001 - Cark, Holker, Levens Estuary Coach Outing
- Liz Harling - £5.50.
- Saturday 9th June 2001 - Roundthwaite Common & Borrowdale
Coach Outing - Barry Dyson - £6.00.
- Wednesday 13th June 2001 - Heysham Nature Reserve (SD407601)
- Meet at 1:00pm - Leaders: Geoff & Joyce Manger.
- Saturday 23rd June 2001 - Wray Castle Circular Coach Outing
- Harry Fisher - £6.00.
- Wednesday 27th June 2001 - Haybridge Nature Reserve - Meet
at Haverthwaite Station (SD349843) Car-park - 10:30am.
- Wednesday 4th July 2001 - Lytham St.Annes Nature Reserve
- Meet at the Visitor Centre at 1:30pm - Maurice Jones.
- Saturday 7th July 2001 - Kettlewell to Grassington Coach Outing
- John Lambert - £6.00.
- Wednesday 11th July 2001 - Delph Lane / Bleasdale (SD546455)
- Meet at 1:30pm - Joan & Alan Stringer.
- Saturday 21st July 2001 - Nether Barrow Circular, Kirby Lonsdale
Coach Outing - Carole Thaw - £5.50.
- Wednesday 25th July 2001 - Knott End Circular - Meet at Ferry
car-park at 1:30pm - Sue & Graham Rotherham.
- Saturday 4th August 2001 - Chipping Circular Coach Outing
- Sheila Fleming & Joan Watson - £5.00.
- Wednesday 8th August 2001 - Fairhaven Lake - Meet at the
RSPB Visitor Centre at 1:30pm - Grizel Badman.
- Saturday 18th August 2001 - Thornton in Craven to Gargrave Coach
Outing - Geoff & Joyce Manger - £5.50.
- Wednesday 22nd August 2001 - Freckleton Butterfly Walk -
Meet at the car-park to the rear of the Carravella Restaurant at 1:30pm
- Geoff & Hazel West.
- Saturday 1st September 2001 - Slaidburn Circular Coach Outing
- Carole Thaw - £5.50.
- Wednesday 12th September 2001 - Lecture - The Wonderful World
of Ferns - 7:30pm at Methodist Church Hall, Raikes Parade, Blackpool
- Dr Trevor Piearce.
- Saturday 15th September 2001 - Haverthwaite Circular Coach Outing
- Val Rushton & Jim Sheldon.
- Wednesday 26th September 2001 - Lecture - Limstone Flora of France
- 7:30pm at Methodist Church Hall, Raikes Parade, Blackpool - Gerry
Stephen.
- Saturday 29th September 2001 - Yealand Berry Walk Coach Outing
- In Memory of Arthur Watson and Norman Woods - Gerry Stephen - £5.50.
- Wednesday 10th Ocotber 2001 - Lecture - Newfoundland National
Parks - 7:30pm at Methodist Church Hall, Raikes Parade, Blackpool
- Annie Hardman.
- Saturday 13th October 2001 - Parbold Circular Coach Outing
- Geoff & Joyce Manger - £3.50.
- Wednesday 24th Ocober 2001 - Lecture - Badgers In Lancashire
- 7:30pm at Methodist Church Hall, Raikes Parade, Blackpool - Martin
Hey.
- Saturday 27th Ocotber 2001 - Garstang Circular Coach Outing
- Geoff & Joyce Manger - £3.50.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust Events and Training:
The events and training opportunities provided by Cheshire Wildlife
Trust can be viewed over at:
Cheshire
Wildlfie Trust Events and Training.
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