News
Disaster has struck 19 May - overnight the Royal British Legion Hall has burned down, so we are homeless once more, and have lost all our equipment. The June and July meeting will be held in the Church Rooms of St Mary's Church, Church Street, Chesham, HP5 1HY. For information for September onwards WATCH THIS SPACE.
Fundraising event: 15 May. Tea Party and Plant Sale held at 125 Sunnyside Road, Chesham. This raised £60 for funds - not as good as last year, but the weather didn't help!
Very sad news: Alan Morris, who used to be Chairman of the Society, and who has for years organised our longer field trips and train trips, died on Wednesday, 6 May, after a debilitating illness. An appreciation of Alan's life took place at the Methodist chapel, Earl Howe Road, Holmer Green, High Wycombe, HP15 6PX at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 20 May, following an earlier family service at the Crematorium.
HELP REQUIRED
I expect most people are familiar with Richard Mabey's book "Flora Britannica" and the subsequent volume "Birds Britannica", which he wrote with Mark Cocker. Now Peter Marren has joined him to take the lead in compiling a similar work for all invertebrates, entitled, naturally, "Bugs Britannica". It will include insects, spiders, crustaceans, worms, and on down the visual scale to microscopic beasts, including freshwater and shorelife as well as land species. In all, including naturalised as well as native creatures, the total is estimated at upwards of 40,000 species.
Not unnaturally, with such a vast undertaking, they need help to build a portrait of how wild 'bugs' fit into our lives. For example, they would like to know local or regional names for these creatures - 'thunderflies' for thrips, and many different names for mayflies. Are there British equivalents of "The Ugly Bug Ball", or "The Flight of the Bumblebee"? Do you know of works of art inspired by bugs? There may be paintings in exhibitions, stained glass windows, commercial designs, or pub signs. What methods of fieldcraft have replaced the traditional butterfly net? Do any of you record insects you see in your garden on a regular basis? Are insects used to sell goods, such as the old bees on the Golden Syrup tin? Are there any contemporary equivalents of old nursery rhymes, such as "Little Miss Muffet" or "Ladybird, Ladybird, Fly Away Home"?
If you have any information, anecdotes, or even jokes to share, please contact Peter Marren at:
Bugs Britannica,
BBC Wildlife Magazine,
14th Floor, Tower House,
Fairfax Street,
BRISTOL,
BS1 3BN
or visit http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/bugsbritannica/ where you can leave a message or story.
POSTAGE STAMPS
In 2007 Royal Mail started an annual series of Action for Species, in which each year they issue a set of 10 first class postage stamps illustrating endangered species. Postcards, First Day Covers, presentation packs and other items are also published.
The first series was of Birds, and the second of Insects. Now the third set is to be issued on Tuesday 19 May, this time celebrating Plant species, which, although still endangered, are now showing signs of recovery. They include Round-headed Leek, Floating Water-plantain, Lady’s Slipper Orchid, Dwarf Milkwort, Marsh Saxifrage, Downy Woundwort, Upright Spurge, Plymouth Pear, Sea Knotgrass, and Deptford Pink.
An additional feature this year is a link to Kew Gardens, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary. A miniature sheet will also be issued including four further stamps (two at first class and two at 90p) with four views of Kew Gardens. A 50p coin has been issued by the Royal Mint to commemorate the anniversary of Kew’s foundation, and a special Commemorative Coin Cover will be available containing the miniature sheet and the coin (price £15.45).
Royal Mail’s usual policy in issuing special stamps is to make them available for sale for one year only. Unusually, both the Birds set and the Insect set are still available, although it is unlikely that they can be found at any local post office. Anyone interested in these items should contact:
Royal Mail
FREEPOST EH3647,
EDINBURGH
EH12 9PE
Telephone: 08457 641 641, or go to
Every year the "British Philatelic Bulletin" runs a poll of their readers to find their favourite stamp of the year and the most popular set. Three points are awarded for the first choice, two for second and one for third. For 2007 the Birds set came an easy first, over 750 points more than the second favourite. Individual stamps from the set peaked at third and fourth positions (the Avocet and Osprey, respectively). The Red Kite was not far behind.
This year, for the first time, the poll was opened to Internet users, with slightly different results, but the Birds set still came third in popularity. Perhaps, since voters were international, it was not surprising that the first and second places went to The Beatles and Harry Potter sets!
In the past the natural history sets have also been very popular, winners being Flowers in 1987, The Linnean Society in 1988, Birds in 1989, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in 1996, Tree and Leaf in 2000, and the delightful Woodland Animals in 2004.
