The Spelthorne Natural History Society celebrates its 40th anniversary on 15th September with a reception at the Walled Garden and Embroidery Gallery in Sunbury.
The Society was founded at the conclusion of a successful three-year Natural History evening course taught by Dr Phillip Cribb for the Workers’ Educational Association at the old Ashford Grammar School. He suggested that the students find another lecturer but, over a pint in a local pub, it was agreed to set up a Natural History Society on the understanding that if the membership ever fell below 40 it would be wound up. Fortunately, it has continued to flourish with several of the original members still active in the group.
The Society runs a varied winter lecture programme, meeting in the Greenhoe Centre in Shepperton at 8 pm on the second Wednesday of the month from September until May with regular outdoor walks throughout the year. Lecturers have included well-known speakers of international repute such as Roy Lankester, Sir Ghillean Prance, Professor William Stearn and Professor Gren Lucas as well as national and local specialists. A number of younger members have gone on to professional careers in biology.
It has an active conservation group that works at the Ash Link Local Nature Reserve, which the Society manages on behalf of the Council, and also on Staines Moor, Shortwood Common and other localities in the borough. It supplies advice to the Council over the conservation of the flora and fauna in areas throughout the borough and how biodiversity might be enhanced elsewhere.
Peter Routley, the Chairman, will welcome members and guests at the Embroidery Gallery and Phil Cribb will give a short talk on Spelthorne’s wildlife and how it has changed over the years.
Further information and membership details can be obtained from Gordon Freeman (gorjoyfreeman@gmail.com).