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Welcome to The 49 Club new website - launched in February 2024.
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The 49 Club

Welcome to our new website - launched February 2024

The 49 Club was formed in 1991 as a social forum for those who had worked for the Nature Conservancy and the Nature Conservancy Council, and now welcomes members from those still working for all the statutory conservation agencies. It takes its name from the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949 which established the Nature Conservancy and led to the important conservation work that followed.

Membership is now open to all those still working for any of the bodies which have replaced or evolved from the old Nature Conservancy:

  • Natural Resources Wales / Countryside Council for Wales
  • English Nature / Natural England
  • Scottish Natural Heritage / NatureScot
  • Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  • Institute of Terrestrial Ecology / Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Membership

At present, we have approximately 200 members. The 49 Club membership fee is £8 per annum.

Further details are available from the Treasurer:

Carolyn Taylor, 13 Whitewater, Orton Wistow, Peterborough, PE2 6FB

Click here for instructions for sending messages to the Treasurer



Membership queries to the Membership Secretary:

Neil Hailey, 24 Hare Hill Road Hattersley HYDE SK14 3JX

Click here for instructions for sending messages to the Membership Secretary



Joining The 49 Club

Please email the Membership Secretary, as above, for details on how to join the club.

It is very helpful if people who want to join set up a standing order from their bank. The fee is then sent automatically (until it's cancelled), and the Treasurer doesn't have to remind you if you forget to send your sub.


Membership Standing Order Mandate:
Please download and complete the membership standing order mandate and either post it or take it to your bank. Alternatively, if you use electronic banking, you may be able to set up a regular payment without sending the form to your bank.
Download Standing Order Form


The 49 Club's GDPR Data Protection Policy

Our GDPR Policy can be downloaded using the link below:

Download GDPR Data Protection Policy Statement

About Us

Our main activity is an annual summer meeting at an interesting conservation site - often a National Nature Reserve. We gather at about mid-day on the first day and visit one site in the afternoon. Boots are changed for glad-rags in the evening when we meet for a very sociable dinner. We visit another local site on the following morning and then depart after lunch. We try to move the annual reunion around the UK, so that England, Scotland and Wales take a turn at hosting the event.


The site visits are generally led by conservation staff or experts in the local region, who are able to explain the interest of each site in detail. And, of course, we can share the many expertises of our former colleagues who come along.


We produce an annual newsletter which includes an account of the most recent summer meeting, articles about nature conservation and news of current and former members. We also send out via email Booking Forms for the annual reunion event and occasional news bulletins.


Committee

A small band of members form a Committee which decides where to have the next meeting and how the club should be managed. A team of Event Organisers do all the hard work in exploring the details of venues and making the arrangements for the reunion events. Those currently on the Committee are:

Chair David Goode
Treasurer Carolyn Taylor
Membership Secretary Neil Hailey
Newsletter Editor Steve Berry
Joint Committee Secretaries Steve Berry and Pat Millard
Other members Jenni Tubbs, David Parker

For 2023, several Committee and Non-Committe members have collaborated on editing, designing, checking, publishing and circulating the Newsletter:
Newsletter Team Steve Berry, Gisèle Wall, Neil Hailey, Carolyn & Ken Taylor

The 2024 Reunion Event, in the Somerset Levels, is being organised by:
2024 Reunion Event Main Organisers Phil & Janette Holms
2024 Reunion Event Assistant Organisers Carolyn & Ken Taylor

Latest News from The 49 Club and from the World of Conservation

Latest News, 10th March 2024:

  • A list of The 49 Club Members is now available on the Club's website as a downloadable PDF.
    • visit the Club Hub page to download the list.

Latest News, 24th February 2024:

  • The 49 Club website has been redesigned in a completely new format:
    • the content from the old (legacy) website has been retained, although some sections have been renamed and combined.
    • many new sections have been added, the main ones being:
      • News - major club news stories combined into (this) new section.
      • Club Hub - a central hub for miscellaneous Members' Interests & Articles, including downloadable documents and links to playable Audio Articles.
      • Gallery - collections of slideshows and photo albums.
      • Articles - collections of short articles submitted by Members and contributors.
      • Audio Video - collections of short articles with accompanying playable Audio or Videos submitted by Members and contributors. Some articles have two subsections, with a choice of Audio + Slideshow or Audio + Video.
      • Info - pages of website Settings & Preferences, Info & Help, Legal Matters & Terms.
    • much of the content in the new sections has been produced for demonstration purposes only. I am hoping that anyone who wishes to contribute content for publication on the website will contact an Officer of the Committee who can then assess it and send content to me for publication. Thanks all, Ken Taylor, Webmaster.
  • Some new content has been submitted by Members:
    • to add to their previous audio article on Tom Pritchard, Tom and Gisèle Wall have supplied photos for an accompanying video slideshow and also a new audio video article on Philip Oswald. Photo sets from these two articles are also in the Gallery.
    • Rob Williams has supplied some memorable photos from the distant past which are in the Gallery section.

Latest News, 28th November 2023:

  • The 49 Club Newsletter for 2023 has now been posted to all members.
    • enclosed with the Newsletter are the details for the 2024 Annual Reunion Event and Booking Forms, which will also be emailed to Members shortly. Please return your completed forms promptly and make a special note of the advice that rooms at the main hotel need to be booked very early for this year's event.
  • check-out also a couple of interesting new items and Members' Interests & Articles on the Club Hub page on this website:
    • Pat Doody's blog written during lockdown between April 2020 and March 2021.This is a natural history diary, with observations of wildlife in and around Pat's home at Brampton, Cambs and illustrated with dozens of stunning photographs - well worth a read.
    • a recording of an interview with Tom Pritchard, recorded by Tom and Gisèle Wall in 2015. The full interview is now available on the Club's website as a playable audio file.

Club Hub - Members' Interests & Articles

List of Books by 49 Club Members - to download PDF click here


Pat Doody's Lockdown Diary - to download PDF click here

Pat Doody's Lockdown Diary - to view in webpage click here

But please note that this embedded PDF may not load correctly on some devices. If you have problems try a larger device, such as a Desktop PC or a Laptop PC. Or try the link above for downloading the PDF.


A recording of an interview with Tom Pritchard, recorded by Tom and Gisèle Wall in 2015. The full interview is now available on the Club's website as a playable audio file.
Use the drop-down menus above to select Playable Audio of Interviews to load-in the Audiofiles content.
A playable audio and video slideshow version of this article is now available in the Audio Video section of this website.


A list of The 49 Club Members is now available on the Club's website as a downloadable PDF.
The list shows forenames, surnames and county and is sorted by county.
We hope that this will provide members with an insight into who is currently a Member and the region in which members reside.

- List of The 49 Club Members by County - to download PDF click here

Tom Pritchard
Tom Pritchard

Interview with Tom Pritchard (1932-2023) on 25 October 2015 at his home in Bangor, by Tom and Gisèle Wall. It lasts 1 hour 14 minutes. At the time of the interview, Tom and Gisèle were working on books about Rostherne Mere which they self-published in 2019: Rostherne Mere. Aspects of a wetland nature reserve and Rostherne Mere. Birds of mere and margin. Tom was Warden of the NNR from 1976 to 1985. Tom Pritchard was Regional Officer for the Midlands when the NNR was acquired and the interview was aimed at securing information relevant to the acquisition and establishment of the NNR which was declared in 1961. Tom Pritchard was Regional Officer for the Midlands from 1957-1966, he then became Deputy Director Wales and later Director. He talks about the acquisition of the NNR, the appointment of Philip Oswald as the first Warden along with Jack Osborne, and the building of the architect-designed Observatory overlooking the Mere.


The interview covers a lot of ground not relevant to Rostherne Mere. Topics include the acquisition of the Nature Conservancy's office for the Midlands (later just West Midlands) at Attingham Park, Shrewsbury. Successes at defending SSSIs at public enquiries, including the diversion of the M6 to avoid Coleshill Bog SSSI. Frustrating the Central Electricity Generating Board through the successful defence of their plans in respect to SSSIs which led to what became a fruitful relationship with Arthur Hawkins who was to become Chairman of the CEGB. Out of this came a field studies facility for local schools at Rugeley Power Station and a gathering of senior staff from the CEGB and senior conservationists at Attingham Park and later, when he was working in Wales, the financing by CEGB of a civic facility at Llanberis in N Wales related to CEGB's major pumped-storage hydroelectric scheme. This part of the interview provides insights into Tom's ability to take advantage of situations and to work productively with others with different agendas.


The interview then reverts to Rostherne Mere and Tom Pritchard's time as Midlands Regional Officer, with reference to NC's connections with universities and the establishment of the Mires Research Group and the Meres Research Group and an international peatland inventory set up by him and David Bellamy, linking to the International Biological Programme and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Also, what Tom refers to as David Bellamy's first TV Programme which was filmed at Chartley Moss NNR, including bog snorkelling.


Parts of the interview relating to Tom's early years with the Nature Conservancy (1957-59), to the appointment of Philip Oswald and to the establishment of the Midlands Region Office at Attingham Park, have been transcribed and were published in The 49 Club Newsletter, 2023.


The full interview is now available here on the Club's website as a playable audio file.


Tom Pritchard Interview
Recorded by Tom and Gisèle Wall.
Click the Play button to listen to the audio.

Articles from Members and Contributors Select sub-sections of articles from DropDown box.

In this section are Articles from Members and Contributors

This page contains some general information regarding the Articles section of this website.

Individual articles are available in other subsections via the DropDown box.

The articles have been submitted by Club Members and other contributors. The club is always pleased to assess any articles which Members may like to offer for publication here.

If you would like to contribute an article please follow these guidelines:

  • initially please contact one of the Club Organisers to assess the subject of your proposed article, their contact details are shown elsewhere on the website:
    • the Newsletter Editor
    • the Membership Secretary
    • the Treasurer

If the initial assessment of your propsed article is acceptable you will receive further details on how to produce it. These are the main aspects:

  • a large article can be produced as a fully-formed DTP-type document using Word or other DTP software but this format can cause complications for publishing on a webpage:
    • the embedded formatting may clash with HTML on our website
    • producing it as a PDF is 'safe' for the website HTML but PDFs are not always ideal for viewing on webpages
    • we can convert DTP articles to HTML manually but this can be time-consuming
  • a small article with images can be produced as simple blocks of text with accompanying separate images. Formatting and layout are more-limited but our website system can quickly generate the HTML for the webpage. These are the main points of how this works:
    • blocks or sections of paragraphs of text can be produced in Word
    • each section that has an accompanying image should be limited to around 1500 characters or 200 words - this is so that the image can be shown alongside relevant text
    • each section that does not have an accompanying image is not limited on length
    • total length of text in all sections should be no more than 2000 words
    • each section is saved in a separate document
    • each image is saved as a JPEG file and labelled to go with its accompanying text
  • a small article without images can be produced as a single text file. This is easier to work with but usually less-attractive to the viewer on a website:
    • the text document can be produced in Word
    • total length of text in all paragraphs should be no more than 2000 words
    • it is saved in a single document
Article Number 112. This sub-section contains an article contributed by Ken Taylor.

Memories of Woodwalton Fen. Click on a photo for a popup window showing larger photo.

OLD FEN, NEW FRIENDS, NEW JOB

Abuzz with Excitement
From Chapel Road, I cross the bridge with the trepidation of foreknowledge. It is June, 2012 and a fen, however great or small, in such a season can bring fear to any adventurer. Barely 50 yards on, a hum grows and grows. Around me, in the air, in the ear... The hum becomes insistent.
Welcome to Woodwalton Fen. And for me, welcome to The 49 Club.

Though used to 25 years of creatures persistent in this amazing man-made fen, I find the hum of 49ers pleasant to the ear. And, better yet, they do not bite or sting!

It is my first 49 Club Event and I am meeting many Club Members for the first time. Many I knew well, and many more within NE, EN and NCC, due to my wife, Carolyn's career with the bods beginning in 1985. But, for those I knew not well, I knew the ground.

Flashback, 25 years, to evenings spent, with friends, in this modern landscape faux, watching birdlife, but mainly immersed in nature past. Twice bitten and thrice shy of mosquitoes but determined to experience this amazing nature at peak season.
And what a season spring is in this magical bed of reeds, from the eerie drumming of the courting snipe to the booming bittern and the darting hobby. Such treats of nature.
A nature, though passed, conserved today as remembrance of an earlier work of man.

Flash, more distantly, back a century. Rothschild's vision encompassed no less than 284 sites he deemed "worthy of preservation". A taunt that taught generations of thought.

But no. Go earlier still, to sporting eras when elite yachts competed on England's largest lake, a mere 3 miles north.

So began the demise of the last deep area of our greatest fen, as eels slithered way to poplar stands and fishermen cuckolded mermaids for peat. Their souls they sold for celery.

But Sirens called, across dark time, for nature to restore a precious waterlife. And, somehow, inspired by rich naturalists, poor naturalists, a pond, a bee, a dream. You, and me. And those to come.

We will re-make the great fen.
First Day of a New Job
My first day's work with the Club was very easy - a lovely stroll around Woodwalton Fen, guided by experts. Then on to a nice dinner and then another day of walking around Holme Fen and other areas of the Great Fen Project.

As the years went by, I kept a low-profile, mainly taking photos and chatting to new friends. But Carolyn had already "volunteered" to be club Treasurer and I then later "volunteered" to take-on an embryonic website.

Flash forward a decade and we now both spend much time working to help the Committee and other Organisers to keep this great Club going.

And no, it's not a job, it's a labour of love. Thank you to all who have kept the club going for years, we are now trying to do our bit. At least for a few years.
And then.... we will be working hard to find the next unsuspecting "volunteers"!

A Little History of Woodwalton Fen from the Great Fen Project webste:

During the late 1960's - mid 1980's, the Middle level Commissioners implemented proposals for an improved farmland drainage system locally, designating Woodwalton Fen as a flood storage reservoir.  As part of the agreement with the Middle level Commissioners, the Nature Conservancy Council allowed MLC to construct clay cored banks on the reserve boundary, an act that significantly improved water retention on the reserve with huge benefits for the wetland habitats and species.

 

The Rothschild Bungalow

On the site of an old farmstead and at the heart of the new nature reserve, Charles Rothschild built a bungalow on stilts and used it as a base for his field trips out on the fen. His activities included moth trapping at night and local people were not quite sure what to make of the visitors from London who went out into the fen at night with lanterns. You can still visit the bungalow today.

Woodwalton Fen History

The ancient wild fens once stretched for miles across a huge part of East Anglia, but more than 99% of the habitat disappeared when the land was drained for agriculture. Now one of only four remaining fragments of the ancient fens, Woodwalton Fen would not exist today if it were not for Charles Rothschild, a successful banker, wildlife enthusiast and "father of modern conservation"

Becoming very concerned with the rapid disappearance of British wildlife and habitats as a result of industrialisation, he saw that in order to protect wildlife species and their habitats, nature reserves would need to be established. Rothschild bought Woodwalton Fen in 1910 to ensure that at least one part of the ancient fens would not disappear forever. 

Building on the work done by Rothschild and his colleagues, Natural England, the government's adviser on nature conservation (previously the Nature Conservancy Council, then English Nature) designated the first National Nature Reserves in 1953, and in 1954 Woodwalton Fen was designated as a National Nature Reserve. These are some of the best sites in the country for wildlife and geology.

Wildlife

It was the incredible array of invertebrate life that attracted Charles Rothschild. More than 1000 beetle species of terrestrial and aquatic have been recorded in the reserve, of which nearly 200 are rare in Britain. More than 900 species of moths and butterflies have been recorded, including the Elephant Hawk Moth and Marsh Carpet Moth.      

There are more than 400 species of wildflowers that can be found on the nature reserve, particular importance is the Fen Violet, found in only two other places the UK and the Fen Woodrush, found nowhere else in the country. 

Kingfishers breed and can be seen along the dykes and around the meres at any time of year. A highlight of Woodwalton Fen is the aerial display of Marsh Harriers over the northern reed bed. The Marsh Harrier almost died out as a UK breeding species just a few decades ago due to persecution, however since the 1960's the population has recovered to an estimated 400 breeding pairs.

 

Audio & Video Articles from Members and Contributors Select sub-sections of articles from DropDown box.

In this section are Video and Audio Articles from Members and Contributors

This page contains some general information regarding the Natube section of this website.

Individual video and audio articles are available in other subsections via the DropDown box.

The articles have been submitted by Club Members and other contributors. The club is always pleased to assess any articles which Members may like to offer for publication here.

If you would like to contribute an article please follow these guidelines:

  • initially please contact one of the Club Organisers to assess the subject of your proposed article, their contact details are shown elsewhere on the website:
    • the Newsletter Editor
    • the Membership Secretary
    • the Treasurer

If the initial assessment of your propsed article is acceptable you will receive further details on how to produce it.

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Tom Pritchard Interview
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00:00:00 / 01:14:15

Tom Pritchard Interview


List of Audio or Video Files available to accompany this Article: Click on a filename or thumbnail image to load the Audio or Video into the Player.

01:14:15
Audio/Video Article Number 112. This sub-section contains an article contributed by Tom & Gisèle Wall.
  • Select from the tabs above to choose 'Audio + Slideshow' or 'Audio + Video'.
    • The Slideshow versions are medium-sized files which are better for low-bandwidth internet connections.
    • The Video versions are very large files, so best avoided on low-bandwidth internet connections.

Tom Pritchard Interview. Click on a photo for a popup window showing larger photo.

Interview with Tom Pritchard (1932-2023)


The interview was recorded on 25th October 2015 at his home in Bangor, by Tom and Gisèle Wall. It lasts 1 hour 14 minutes. At the time of the interview, Tom and Gisèle were working on books about Rostherne Mere which they self-published in 2019: Rostherne Mere. Aspects of a wetland nature reserve and Rostherne Mere. Birds of mere and margin. Tom was Warden of the NNR from 1976 to 1985.

Tom Pritchard was Regional Officer for the Midlands when the NNR was acquired and the interview was aimed at securing information relevant to the acquisition and establishment of the NNR which was declared in 1961. Tom Pritchard was Regional Officer for the Midlands from 1957-1966, he then became Deputy Director Wales and later Director.

He talks about the acquisition of the NNR, the appointment of Philip Oswald as the first Warden along with Jack Osborne, and the building of the architect-designed Observatory overlooking the Mere.


The interview covers a lot of ground not relevant to Rostherne Mere. Topics include the acquisition of the Nature Conservancy's office for the Midlands (later just West Midlands) at Attingham Park, Shrewsbury. Successes at defending SSSIs at public enquiries, including the diversion of the M6 to avoid Coleshill Bog SSSI. Frustrating the Central Electricity Generating Board through the successful defence of their plans in respect to SSSIs which led to what became a fruitful relationship with Arthur Hawkins who was to become Chairman of the CEGB. Out of this came a field studies facility for local schools at Rugeley Power Station and a gathering of senior staff from the CEGB and senior conservationists at Attingham Park and later, when he was working in Wales, the financing by CEGB of a civic facility at Llanberis in N Wales related to CEGB's major pumped-storage hydroelectric scheme. This part of the interview provides insights into Tom's ability to take advantage of situations and to work productively with others with different agendas.


The interview then reverts to Rostherne Mere and Tom Pritchard's time as Midlands Regional Officer, with reference to NC's connections with universities and the establishment of the Mires Research Group and the Meres Research Group and an international peatland inventory set up by him and David Bellamy, linking to the International Biological Programme and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Also, what Tom refers to as David Bellamy's first TV Programme which was filmed at Chartley Moss NNR, including bog snorkelling.


Parts of the interview relating to Tom's early years with the Nature Conservancy (1957-59), to the appointment of Philip Oswald and to the establishment of the Midlands Region Office at Attingham Park, have been transcribed and were published in The 49 Club Newsletter, 2023.



The full interview is now available here on the Club's website as a playable audio file with a video slideshow accompaniment. Many of the photos used in the video slideshow are also available in the corresponding sub-section in the Gallery page of this website.

The website, audio and slideshow content has been edited and produced by Ken and Carolyn Taylor from original text, audio files and photos supplied by Tom and Gisèle Wall.


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Philip Oswald Interview part 1
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Philip Oswald Interview part 2
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00:00:00 / 01:52:01

Philip Oswald Interview part 1

00:00:00 / 00:29:10

Philip Oswald Interview part 2


List of Audio or Video Files available to accompany this Article: Click on a filename or thumbnail image to load the Audio or Video into the Player.

01:52:0100:29:10
Audio/Video Article Number 113. This sub-section contains an article contributed by Tom & Gisèle Wall.
  • Select from the tabs above to choose 'Audio + Slideshow' or 'Audio + Video'.
    • The Slideshow versions are medium-sized files which are better for low-bandwidth internet connections.
    • The Video versions are very large files, so best avoided on low-bandwidth internet connections.

Philip Oswald Interview. Click on a photo for a popup window showing larger photo.

Interview with Philip Oswald (1933-2021)


The interview was recorded on 2nd June 2015 with Philip, together with contributions from his wife, Janet (1933-2019), at their home in Cambridge.

Recorded by Tom and Gisèle Wall. At the time of the interview, Tom and Gisèle were working on books about Rostherne Mere which they self-published in 2019: Rostherne Mere. Aspects of a wetland nature reserve and Rostherne Mere. Birds of mere and margin. Tom was Warden of the NNR from 1976 to 1985.

Philip was appointed as the first Warden of the soon-to-be-declared Rostherne Mere NNR in Cheshire (he had a unique job title, ‘Warden-in-charge', rather than ‘Warden Naturalist', the usual title at that time). He took up the post in December 1960 when he moved with his family into Apple Tree Cottage in the village of Rostherne. They later moved to a purpose-built Warden's house, named ‘Rowans'. Philip morphed from Warden to Assistant Regional Officer before moving to Shrewsbury in 1965 to work in the newly established Education Advisory Service of which he was to become the head.


At the time of the interview, Tom and Gisèle were working on books about Rostherne Mere which they self-published in 2019: Rostherne Mere. Aspects of a wetland nature reserve and Rostherne Mere. Birds of mere and margin. Tom was Warden of the NNR from 1976 to 1985.

The first Interview relates in particular to the negotiations leading to the acquisition of the NNR (it had been part of the Tatton Estate, owned by the bachelor Lord Egerton) and to the early years of its management. The wheeler-dealering which went on at the time now seems extraordinary.

Much of the interview is taken up with fairly parochial matters, but it is highly illustrative of the working practices of the Nature Conservancy at that time (very different from those of today), and refers to some of the leading lights of the organisation, notably Max Nicholson, Tom Pritchard, Nettie Bonnar, Teresa Sexton, Joyce Quarrinton and Jamie Johnstone, as well as big names from the wider science and conservation world including Francis Rose, David Bellamy, Arnold Boyd, Stuart Smith, Eric Hardy, F A Hunter, John Lund and Colin Reynolds.

The second interview centres on publicity and education, generally at places other than Rostherne Mere. It includes mention of a nature trail at Alvecote Pools SSSI, Warwickshire, said by Philip to be the first such trail and a publication he was involved with which listed all the country's nature trails. Visit of Louis Kirk, a Ranger from USA and his wife, for National Nature Week, 1963. Further discussion about establishing the Cheshire Nature Trust and the importance that Max Nicholson attached to the establishment of county trusts. Visit to the artist Charles Tunnicliffe on Anglesey and his creation of the Trust's logo. Sandbach Flashes and British Soda Company.

The full interview is now available here on the Club's website as a playable audio file with a video slideshow accompaniment. Many of the photos used in the video slideshow are also available in the corresponding sub-section in the Gallery page of this website.

The website, audio and slideshow content has been edited and produced by Ken and Carolyn Taylor from original text, audio files and photos supplied by Tom and Gisèle Wall.


Settings & Preferences, Info & Help, Legal Matters & Terms

Settings & Preferences

This page contains some general information regarding the use of this website. There are further sub-sections available via the Drop-Down Menu at the top of this page.

This sub-section contains options for setting your personal preferences for features of the way this website operates.
Your preferences will be stored in the browser's Cookies for a period of time.

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  • A slideshow montage of photos will appear at the top right-hand side of the screen on devices with wider screens:
    • the slideshow in the top header of the page can be disabled or re-enabled by choosing here:
    • Slideshows ON/OFF
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    • click on a slideshow to reveal its title - the last clicked-on was:

Info & Help

This sub-section contains information to help you find your way around this website and get the most out of it.


General tips on navigating your way around this website:

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Legal Matters & Terms

This sub-section contains information regarding legal matters and terms and conditions.


The 49 Club's GDPR Data Protection Policy Statement is available here to download as a PDF file:


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Our main activity is an annual summer meeting at an interesting conservation site - often a National Nature Reserve.

On this page you will find memories of recent Annual Reunion Events and news of forthcoming events.

Keep a look out below for announcements of our next planned Annual Reunion Event.


49 CLUB REUNION 2024 - planned for the Somerset Levels
Full details of the event were announced in November 2023.

The 49 Club Newsletter for 2023 has now been posted to all members and the back cover pages provide a good amount of detail of the programme and itinerary for the event.
Also enclosed with the Newsletter are further details for the 2024 Annual Reunion Event and Booking Forms, which have also been emailed to Members.
Please return your completed forms promptly and make a special note of the advice that rooms at the main hotel need to be booked very early for this year's event.

 

The 2024 Reunion is being organised by Phil & Janette Holms and Carolyn & Ken Taylor in the Somerset Levels area.
Below is a brief summary of the programme for the event.


49 CLUB REUNION 2024

Steart Marshes and Shapwick Heath NNRs Somerset

Wednesday 19th -Thursday 20th June

Wednesday 19th June - Steart Marshes (Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust)

  • Meet in WWT Steart Marshes Car Park. Introductory talk by the WWT Senior Warden
  • Picnic lunch (bring your own)
  • Choice of three walks
  • Pre-dinner talk by Simon Clarke, Somerset Wildlife Trust, on their recent acquisition of Honeygar Farm
  • Dinner at the Walnut Tree Hotel, North Petherton

Thursday 20th June - Shapwick Heath NNR

  • Meet at the Avalon Marshes Centre
  • Introductory talk by the Natural England Senior Reserves Manager
  • Choice of three walks
  • Picnic Lunch - bring your own or buy snacks from the café


This part of the Somerset Levels forms the background to a Natural England-led initiative to bring all the nature managed land together to create a 'Super NNR'. This includes the nature reserves in the Brue and Parrett Valleys, Bridgwater Bay and Steart Marshes, totaling 5,550 ha.


Intended to form the backbone of nature recovery in the Levels, it helps partners work together to develop the area sustainably as a place where people can experience nature gain. (partners include NE, RSPB, Somerset Wildlife Trust, EA, WWT, Hawk & Owl Trust)



Further details of the Event, the sites and the itinerary are on the inside back cover page of The 49 Club 2023 Newsletter.


Full booking details and booking form were also posted with the Newsletter and have also been emailed to members with email addresses.


See you there! Organisers: Phil & Janette Holms and Ken & Carolyn Taylor

SteartMarshes1920wide.jpg


Reunion 2023

The 2023 Reunion was organised by Hilary & Keith Ward, Johnny Birks, Mike Wilkinson and Peter Holmes and took place as follows:

Wednesday 7 June: The Malvern Hills Area
Directions to Castlemorton Village Hall which is at SO 7861 3765, post code WR13 6BS

What 3 Words: ferrets.campfires.monopoly

By road: From Malvern take the A449 south. Turn left onto the A4104 and drive to Welland. Turn right onto the B4208. The Village Hall is 1.8 miles south on the B4208 on the left. It is at a turning off the B4208 to the left signposted to Castlemorton Church.

By public transport: The nearest train stations are Great Malvern and Colwall (the latter is a few yards from the hotel). Bus travel would be difficult. Transport to and from the sites can be arranged - please contact Hilary Ward.

OPTIONAL SELF GUIDED VISITS FOR THOSE ARRIVING EARLY OR ON THE PREVIOUS DAY

If you choose to stay in or near Malvern on Tuesday evening, or if you are within easy reach from home, you might wish to explore parts of the Malvern Hills. Alternatively, in preparation for our pre dinner talk, Colwall Orchard and Village Garden is open to the public and a short distance from the Colwall Park Hotel. Car parks and maps shown on websites below:

www.malvernhills.org.uk/
www.malvernhills.org.uk/media/1473/map-and-guide-website-page-1.pdf
www.colwallorchardgroup.org/
www.colwallorchardgroup.org/our-sites
MAIN MEETING

12.00 Meet at Castlemorton Village Hall. Toilets available.

Pre-lunch introductory talk.

Picnic at Village Hall - BRING YOUR OWN. Tea and coffee will be available but there is nowhere nearby to purchase sandwiches etc.

13.30 Departure on walks:

Longest walk - led by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust (about 3 miles)

Leave on foot, taking in Castlemorton Common and Hollybed Meadows.

Shorter walks - led by Malvern Hills Trust (1 mile or less)

By car to Swinyard Hill Car Park (car sharing advised as there is limited space and a parking charge of £4.80 per car).

16.30 Everyone returns to Castlemorton Village Hall and disperses to their accommodation.

Reconvene at the Colwall Park Hotel, Walwyn Rd, Malvern WR13 6QG for the annual dinner.

18.00 For those who would like to learn more about Colwall Orchard and Village Garden there will be a presentation by the founding members Helen Stace and Tim Dixon (retired NCC, EN, NE staff - many of you will know them).

Bar open on request for pre-dinner drinks.

As usual, there will be no seating plan for dinner. Please collect your place card and choose your seat. Those not attending the presentation will have a chance to meet in the bar.

19.15 Annual business meeting at tables.

20.00 Annual dinner; a three-course meal, chosen in advance from the enclosed menu. Drinks may be purchased from the bar.

Thursday 8 June: Woolhope Dome Area
Colwall Park Hotel can provide packed lunch for June 8 at £10 per person. Please request these by Tuesday June 6th. There is a small convenience store, Colwall Provisions, 200 yards North of the hotel. The Morso café, 100 yards North of the hotel, could do pre-arranged take away food.

Directions to our meeting place at Woolhope Parish Hall, HR1 4QS

NGR SO 61033598

What 3 Words: jugs.horizons.punt

By road: From Ledbury take the A438 towards Hereford. After crossing the A4172, take the left turn signposted (on the A438) to Pixley and Putley Green. Then follow the signs to Woolhope. In Woolhope turn right after the Crown Inn. The Parish Hall is 350m on the right.

By public transport: Difficult

9.30 Members assemble at Woolhope Parish Hall for introductory talks about the walks on offer. Toilets available.

10.30 Depart by car for a short drive to the start of one of the three walks. Car sharing will be required.

1. Walk to Joan's Hill Meadows led by Plantlife Reserves Manager, Jonathan Stone.

 

(Park at Haugh Woods Car Park SO 5923 3658)

THIS WALK IS LIMITED TO 40 PEOPLE - 1ST COME 1ST SERVED.

The walk to the edge of the reserve takes about 15 minutes on a forestry track which for the most part is level but with a few moderate inclines. The meadows themselves lie on moderate to steep slopes.

2. Butterfly walk led by Kate Wollen and Dave Sykes, Forestry England.

 

(Park at Haugh Woods Car Park SO 5923 3658)

This walk is on mostly level forestry tracks (a few short, moderate inclines).

3. Stroll across Broadmoor Common led by local wildlife enthusiast, Sally Webster.

 

(Park at Broadmoor Common Car Park SO6055 3622)

This will cater for the less energetic as the site is flat and there are some paved tracks.

13.00 Return to Woolhope Parish Hall for picnic lunches - BRING YOUR OWN. Tea/coffee and cake will be provided.

14.30 Farewells and disperse, but there will be the opportunity for further self-guided exploration if so wished.


Reunion 2022

The 2022 Reunion was organised by Tom Wall, Gisèle Wall and Kathy Herbert and took place as follows:

WEDNESDAY 8 and THURSDAY 9 JUNE 2022
The Stiperstones and Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses NNRs Shropshire & Wrexham Borough

 

Wednesday 8 June: The Stiperstones National Nature Reserve

Directions to Snailbeach Village Hall which is close to the NNR at SJ 373823; post code SY5 0NX

By road: From Shrewsbury take A488 south-west towards Bishop's Castle and turn left 1 mile after Minsterley. The Hall is on your right after 1 mile. Total distance 12.5 miles.

From Bishop's Castle take the A488 north towards Shrewsbury. After 12 miles, having gone through the small scattered settlements of Hope and Wagbeach, take first right to Snailbeach. The Hall is on your right after 1 mile. Total distance 13.5 miles

From Church Stretton: head west over The Long Mynd (excitingly/frighteningly steep and narrow) to Ratlinghope, then over The Stiperstones and down to The Bog (old School, now Visitor Centre) where you sweep to the right and follow the road for 3 miles. The Hall is on your left. Total distance 11.5 slow miles.

By public transport: The nearest train station is Shrewsbury. There is a regular bus service to and from Shrewsbury and Bishop's Castle with a drop off about a mile from the Hall. Please contact one of us to discuss bus stops and timings.

10.00 Members arrive at Snailbeach Village Hall. Refreshments will include Stiperstones Quartzite Rock Buns

10.30 Welcome by our chair, David Goode

Introduction to the talks and speakers by Tom Wall

Simon Cooter (Natural England) introduces the SSSI/NNR

John Hughes (Shropshire Wildlife Trust) outlines the Trust's involvement

Peter Carty and Andrew Hearle (National Trust) describe ‘Stepping Stones', the project which is seeking to make links between The Stiperstones and The Long Mynd There will be time for questions and discussion.

12.00 Confirmation of the arrangement for the three walks which are of differing lengths, difficulty and points of interest.

Picnic at Village Hall. Tea and coffee will be available but there is nowhere at hand to purchase sandwiches or other provender.

13.30 Departure on walks

Longest walk - led by Simon Cooter, Senior Site Manager (3 miles, 2.5 hours)

By coach to the NNR car park then up to the ridge to see the quartzite tors and stone stripes and visit the Devil's Chair, with fine views into Wales. The paths will be flanked by the heathland vegetation, which along with the geology, was a key feature in the acquisition of the NNR, and will lead to areas of heathland restoration following conifer removal. Red Grouse may be crowing and Stonechats feeding their first broods. Nothing very steep but some awkward stony ground.

Shortest walk - led by locally-based experts including Peter Carty of the National Trust (1.5 miles, 1 - 1.5hrs)

By coach to the NNR car park for a there-and-back walk, all on the flat, on a surface suitable for wheel-chairs. Benches are available part-way, so you can sit and enjoy the view if you prefer. A particular feature of the walk will be heathland restoration and grazing management (Hebridean sheep and Exmoor ponies may possibly show their faces).

Given the fine views across to The Long Mynd, a main talking point will be ‘Stepping Stones'. Given time, the coach will then take participants down to the Bog Visitor Centre where there are displays about the geology, mining and literature of the area along with crafts, books, art and cards (and, there may even be time to buy tea and cake).

Middle-distance walk - led by John Hughes (Development Manager, Shropshire Wildlife Trust) and Andrew Hearle (‘Stepping Stones' Project Officer, National Trust)

(2.5 miles, 2.5 hours)

By cars to Lordshill Chapel to explore on foot the north end of the hill. The walk starts at The Hollies, a celebrated area of holly parkland, now a Shropshire Wildlife Trust reserve, then visit two cottages at 1400 ft, occupied into the 1950s, the last remnants of an upland community. A brief walk through grassland (with a few Mountain Pansies in flower) and heathland, will take us to a view across Brook Vessons (a SWT reserve) towards The Long Mynd, with the chance to learn more about the ‘Stepping Stones' project.

16.30 Everyone returns to Snailbeach Village Hall and disperses to their accommodation.

Reconvene at the Albright Hussey Manor Hotel, SY4 3AF, 3 miles N of Shrewsbury, SJ 503176, venue for the annual dinner.

18.00 For those who would like to learn more about Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses,

Dr Joan Daniels MBE, Natural England's Marches Mosses BogLIFE Project Officer, will give a presentation explaining the background to the visit to the NNR on the following day. Joan has worked at Fenn's since the NNR was acquired in 1991.

Bar open on request for pre-dinner drinks

As usual, there will be no seating plan for dinner. Please collect your place card and choose your seat.

Those not attending the presentation will have a chance to meet in the bar.

19.15 Annual business meeting at tables.

20.00 Annual dinner; a three-course meal, chosen in advance from the enclosed menu. Drinks may be purchased from the bar. Card payments only.


Thursday 9 June: Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses NNR

Directions to our meeting place at the NNR Base, SY13 2PD; SJ 375 366

NB you will see brown signs to the NNR, but you need to look for WHITE SIGNS TO NNR BASE

By road: The NNR Base is 18 miles N of Shrewsbury; 7 miles SW of Whitchurch

Directions are complicated, so we will email a map to all attendees.

By public transport: There are options for getting most of the way there by rail or bus, but for the last leg a lift or taxi would be needed. Please contact one of us to discuss.

10.00 Members assemble at NNR Base for the three walks on offer. Coffee and Shrewsbury Biscuits will be available - toilets too. Booting-up and getting into groups for the three walks.

10.30 Depart on one of the three walks led by NE staff, on all of which sightings of Raft Spider, White-faced Darter, Large Heath butterfly, Curlew, Hobby and sundews are possible.

General walk led by Robert Duff, BogLIFE Project Manager: a 3-mile walk, all on the flat, covering all the main topics of the NNR's history, acquisition and management, and opportunities to see some of the flagship wildlife species.

Botany walk led by Joan Daniels, formerly Senior Site Manager, now BogLIFE Project Officer. Not as demanding as the General walk; but it does include some rough

ground. Whilst concentrating on the botanical aspects of the site, there will be opportunities to observe its other treasures too. There will be a short drive to the starting point for this walk.

Mini-bus tour led by Pete Bowyer, Senior Site Manager. This will cater for the less energetic, but there will be opportunities to get off the bus for short walks at a series of stopping points, and there will be the chance to see all the main habitat management activities on the NNR and some of the flagship species.

13.00 Return to NNR Base for picnic lunches (nothing available on site)

14.00 Farewells and disperse, but there will be the opportunity for further self-guided exploration if so wished.

Our final gathering on Thursday 9 June at Fenn's, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses NNR gave a great opportunity to photograph two groupings of our club members.
The top photo shows everyone who was still in attendance at that time, including our NNR staff guides.
The lower photo shows only the members who worked for the original Nature Conservancy organisation.

Past Events Select sub-sections from DropDown box. Also see Recent Events tab for more Events.


Past meetings of the 49 Club 

1991 First dinner - Stoneleigh
1992 Second dinner - Stoneleigh
1993 England - Woodwalton Fen
1994 Wales - Oxwich
1995 England - Parsonage Down
1996 Scotland - Deeside
1997 England - Wyre Forest
1998 England - Ingleborough
1999 Wales - Bangor
2000 Scotland - Beinn Eighe
2001 England - Stodmarsh
2002 England - Yarner Wood
2003 Wales - Pembrokeshire
2004 England - Norfolk Broads
2005 Scotland - Loch Lomond
2006 England - New Forest
2007 Wales - Aberystwyth
2008 England - Northumberland
2009 England - Darwin country, Kent
2010 England - Cumbria, South Solway
2011 England/Wales - Wye Valley
2012 England - Great Fen
2013 Scotland - Tentsmuir
2014 England - Peak District
2015 Wales - Great Orme Llandudno and Coedydd Aber NNR
2016 England - Axmouth-Lyme Regis
2017 Scotland - Knapdale Beavers/Taynish NNR
2018 England - London Wetlands Centre, Richmond Park
2019 Wales - Dinefwr Park and Waun Las NNRs, Carmarthenshire
2020-2021 No meetings due to Covid-19
2022 England - The Stiperstones NNR and Fenn's Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses
2023 England - Malvern Hills: Castlemorton Common/Hollybed Meadows. Woolhope Dome: Joan's Hill Meadow/Broadmoor Common

 

The 2020 and 2021 Reunions did not take place due to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic


Reunion 2019

The 2019 Reunion was organised by Janet Rice and Rob Williams as Reunion Secretaries and took place as follows:

WEDNESDAY 12 and THURSDAY 13 JUNE 2019
Dinefwr Parc and Waun Las NNRs, Carmarthenshire

 

Wednesday 12 June: Dinefwr Parc National Nature Reserve

Directions to Dinefwr Parc

By road: NB Do not use Sat Nav because the postcode will mislead you!

From Swansea in the South, take the M4 to Pont Abraham, then A48T to Cross Hands, and A476 to Llandeilo.

Dinefwr Parc is off the A40, just west of Llandeilo. From the roundabout on the A40 at Llandeilo, take the

A40 towards Carmarthen and after 0.7miles turn left onto Carmarthen Road at the brown tourist sign to National Trust Dinefwr Parc. After 0.5 miles, turn right into the ornamental gates at the signposted entrance to Dinefwr Parc, continue for 0.7miles to the car park and look for the yellow balloons!

By public transport: The nearest bus stop and train station are in Llandeilo. There is a local taxi company: Llandeilo Taxis - 01558 822020.

10.00 Members arrive at the National Trust for Wales' Dinefwr Parc.

National Trust members are asked to scan their membership cards at the Visitor Information Centre in the car park. Walk to the right of the Centre, through the gates and bear right to the main entrance of Newton House, where we will have refreshments in the Tea Room.

10.30 Welcome by our chair, David Goode

Introduction to Dinefwr estate by Dai Hart (Lead Conservation Ranger) and Mike Howe (Land and Nature Management Planner).This will cover the estate's history, its conservation designations, and priorities for land conservation in the context of the National Trust's Land and Nature Initiative. There will be time for questions and discussion.

12.00 Picnic outside Newton House, in the grounds of Dinefwr Parc.

12.45 Members choose one of the following routes around this 800acre microcosm of Welsh heritage and natural history:

        Longer walk - led by Dai Hart and Mike Howe (3.5 miles, 2 - 3 hrs)

Starting from the front of Newton House at 12.45, the route will take in the deer park, mill pond, floodplain of the river Tywi and oxbow lakes before returning to Dinefwr Parc via Llandyfeisant church, with an opportunity to talk about the White Park Cattle herd on the way back.

        Shorter walk - led by Carol Bailey, Ranger (1.5 miles, 1 - 1.5hrs)

Starting from the front of Newton House at 1pm, the route will cover the deer park, mill pond and boardwalk, following Brown's path (named after Capability Brown, who is said to have suggested the route). The focus will be the deer herd and its management, and the parkland and its veteran oaks (some 200 oaks in excess of 600 years old).

        Tractor Trailer Tour - led by Rhodri Thomas, Stockman/Ranger and Sarah Jones, Ranger (about 1hr)

Leaving from the Visitor Information Centre at 1.15pm, the tour will be based around the

White Park Cattle Herd, its place in Dinefwr's and Welsh history, and how the herd is used to support conservation of the in-hand land at Dinefwr. The trailer can take a maximum of 16 people - please indicate on your booking form if you would like a place and we will be in touch after the closing date.

Members return to Newton House and disperse to accommodation.

Annual dinner at Newton House, Dinefwr Parc

17.30 Bar opens in the Tea Room

18.00-19.00 Pre-dinner discussion in the Dining Room on “Leave or Remain - securing European-level protection for SSSIs”, led by Mike Wilkinson (NCC/EN/NE).

As usual, there will be no seating plan for dinner. After the discussion, please collect your place card from the Tea Room and choose your seat for dinner. Those not joining the pre-dinner discussion may meet in the bar beforehand and collect their place card.

19.15-19.45 Business meeting at tables.

20.00-22.00 Annual dinner. This will be a three-course meal, chosen in advance from the enclosed

menu. Drinks, including house wines, beer and cider, may be purchased from the bar.

Thursday 13 June: Waun Las National Nature Reserve

Directions to Waun Las NNR, National Botanic Garden of Wales, SA32 8HN

By road: The National Botanic Garden of Wales (NBGW) is most easily accessed from the A48 east of Carmarthen. From Llandeilo, travel south on the A483. After just over a mile at Ffairfach, turn right onto the A476. After 0.5 miles, fork left to stay on the A476 until you reach a roundabout on the A48. Turn right on the A48 towards Carmarthen and travel just over 3 miles to the exit signposted to the B4310 and the

NBGW.

By public transport: Unfortunately, it is not possible to reach NBGW in time for our 10.00 start.

09.45 Members assemble outside gatehouse of the NBGW (mobility scooters are available to hire for £5 and may be booked in advance on 01558 667149; some manual wheelchairs may be available free of charge on the day).

10.00 Introduction to NBGW and Waun Las NNR by Bruce Langridge (Head of Interpretation). The 400acre NNR is an organic working farm, set on Regency parkland, farmed primarily to improve its biodiversity, with a herd of 60-70 Welsh black cattle and a flock of Tywi Valley Balwen sheep.

10.30 Members choose one of the following routes to explore 370acres of lowland grassland, wet woodlands and rhos pastures, and debate the innovative management of this organic farm:

        Longer walk - led by Bruce Langridge: Exploring Waun Las NNR (2.5 miles, 2hrs)

The route across grazed fields will include a waxcap meadow of international importance and a wet meadow rich in Carmarthenshire's county flower, the whorled caraway, as well as a species-rich hay meadow (Cae Tegeirianau - Welsh for Orchid Field) and Cae Waun, a pasture which was experimentally converted to a hay meadow in 2016 using green hay from Cae Tegeirianau. If time allows, the group will visit a strip of species-rich rhos pasture that was translocated here 10 years ago. The walk will also take in the Garden's developing arboretum and the £6m Regency lake restoration project. It will conclude at the world's biggest single span Great Glasshouse.

        A shorter, easier, walk - led by Huw Jones, NNR farmer (1.5 miles, 1 hr)

This group will leave the longer walk group at the field called Cae Calch, explore the waxcap meadow, Cae Treillon and return to the world's biggest single span Great Glasshouse.

        A visit to a species-rich hay meadow - led by the garden's Science Officer Dr Kevin McGinn

The meadow is a 5-minute walk from the garden's Stable Block, a Regency building that now houses a shop, gallery, restaurant and toilets. The Stable Block is 0.25 miles from the Gatehouse entrance, but visitors can use the buggy service to avoid the walk. Although most of the formal garden area is wheelchair accessible, damp ground often makes Cae Trawscoed unsuitable for wheelchairs. A bench is situated halfway along the path through the meadow.

Cae Trawscoed hay meadow was mapped predominantly as an improved meadow in an early 1990s Phase One Habitat Survey, but since the late 1990s, it has been managed as a hay meadow, with one late summer cut, occasional winter grazing and no artificial fertiliser. As fertility reduced, Yellow Rattle spread, and it has gradually, evolved a species-rich flora that includes over 1000 spikes of four native orchid species, including Greater Butterfly-orchid.

13.15 Lunchtime picnic outside the Stable Block

Members will be free to spend time in most other parts of the garden without charge, although there is a fee to visit the British Bird of Prey Centre.

Members' farewells and disperse.


Reunion 2018

The 2018 Reunion was held in London at The London Wetland Centre and Richmond Park NNR on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th June.

The Programme was:
Wednesday 13 June:
10.00 Convene for refreshments in The Water's Edge Room at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's London Wetland Centre.
- 10.30 Welcome by our chair, Sheila Anderson.
Introductory talk on the history, purpose, and wildlife of the London Wetland Centre followed by questions and discussion.
- 11.30 Guided walks around the lakes and wetland habitats (on level ground) to visit the observatory, the sand martin nest bank, the Peacock tower and other hides.
- 13.00 Picnic in the grounds.
Afternoon free for personal exploration of the centre and its hides, followed by dispersal to accommodation.
Annual dinner at Pembroke Lodge:
- 17.30 Bar in the Russell Suite, and the flower garden, open for sole use of the 49 Club.
- 18.00-19.00 Pre-dinner presentation and discussion in the Phantom Room. Judy Ling Wong, trustee of the National Park City Foundation, will describe proposals to make London the world's first National Park City.
- 19.15-19.45 Business meeting at tables.
- 20.00-22.00 Annual dinner. This will be a three-course meal, chosen in advance from the enclosed menu.
- 22.45 Bar closes and members disperse to accommodation.

Thursday 14 June:
Thursday 14 June: Richmond Park National Nature Reserve
- 09.30 Arrive at Pembroke Lodge car park.
- 10.00 Gather at southern end of the car park (look for the club's yellow balloons). Alister Hayes, Royal Parks' Senior Ecologist will give an introduction to Richmond Park and the NNR. Members will then be able to choose from three walks within the NNR led by Royal Parks' volunteers, who will tailor the routes to the circumstances on the day (a printable map of the park may be downloaded from the Richmond Park website):
• A walk of approximately 3 miles, south of Queen Elizabeth's Plantation, across Pen Ponds to the car park, up to White Lodge, across to Barn Wood Pond, and returning through Saw Pit Plantation and Sidmouth Wood;
• A slower walk of approximately 2 miles along part of the same route, but keeping north of Pen Ponds, and aiming to return to our picnic site at the same time as the longer walk;
• A short walk along paths, via King Henry's Mound to Poets' Corner and back.
- 12.30 All walks return to the starting point, where we will have our picnic lunch.
- 13.30 Members disperse.

 

Reunion 2017

The 2017 Reunion was held near Knapdale, near Lochgilphead, south of Oban in Scotland on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th June.

The Programme was:
Wednesday 14 June - Beaver reintroduction project at Knapdale:
• 09.45 Coffee, tea and shortbread at The Cairnbaan Hotel, Cairnbaan (NR839908; postcode PA31 8SQ).
• 10.15 Welcome on behalf of the 49 Club Committee.
• 10.30-12.00 Talk and discussion led by Roisin Campbell-Palmer, former Field Operations Manager for the Scottish Beaver Trial, on the Knapdale beaver reintroduction project.
• 12.15 Members depart for Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) car park at Loch Coille Bharr (NR 785908; nearest postcode PA31 8PS).
• 12.45 Lunch at Loch Coille Bharr car park (portable loo available). Bring your own picnic.
• 13.30 Walks led by local experts to visit the site of the beaver reintroduction project.

Thursday 15 June Taynish National Nature Reserve:
• 11.00 Convene at Tayvallich Parish Council's car park (NR740869) next to public loos (free), for transfer to Taynish NNR. SNH staff will provide a Land Rover shuttle service along the 1 mile, single track road to Taynish NNR car park (which is too small to accommodate our group as well as other visitors). A portable loo will be available here.
• 11.30 Members will be able to choose from three walks within the NNR:
Group 1 - A self-guided all-ability walk to Taynish Mill and back to Taynish car park (0.5 miles in total).
Group 2 - Walk led by former SNH site manager for Taynish NNR along a level track from Taynish car park towards Taynish House, as far as the picnic site in the meadow on the right hand side of the route. Return along the same route (2.5 miles in total).
Group 3 - Circular woodland walk of 3.5 miles, led by former SNH site manager, with some difficult sections through the woods, to join Group 2 at picnic site and return along the Taynish House track.
• 12.30 Picnic lunch for Groups 2 and 3.
• 13.30 Groups 2 and 3 return to Taynish car park along level track.

 

Reunion 2016

The 2016 Reunion was held near Axmouth in East Devon and Lyme Regis in Dorset on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th June.

The Programme was:
Wednesday 15 June:
• Optional morning discussion on heathland conservation management at the offices of Clinton Devon Estates, Bicton Park, followed by a site visit.
• Lunchtime picnic and welcome at the RSPB's Aylesbeare Common Reserve, followed by a walk led by the RSPB.
• Early evening optional discussion on the future of NNRs, with Natural England's Senior NNR advisor, at the Blue Ball Inn, Sidford.
• Annual business meeting and dinner at the Blue Ball Inn.

Thursday 16 June:
• Morning walk on a 3km circular route over a landslip area of the Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs NNR. For those who would prefer an easier walk, an alternative along part of the route can be arranged.
• Farewell picnic at Pinhay (3km west of Lyme Regis).

Reunion 2015

The 2015 Reunion was held near Great Orme near Llandudno in North Wales on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th June 2015.

The Programme was:

Wednesday 17th June:
• 12.00 midday onwards: Picnic lunch in Great Orme Summit car park Grid Ref: SH 766 833 LL30 2XF
• Afternoon: The Great Orme
13.15 - Welcome and briefing
13.30 16.30 (approx) - Guided walks around the Country Park
• Evening: 19.00 onwards: Annual Meeting and Dinner at The Imperial Hotel, The Promenade, Llandudno LL30 1AP

Thursday 18th June:
• 10.15 onwards: Coedydd Aber NNR - meet in the reserve car park above the village of Abergwyngregyn Grid Ref: SH 664 710 LL33 0LP
Welcome and introduction then divide informally into groups according to the length of walk and members' particular interests
• 13.00 - Lunch and Disperse

Photos from the Great Orme Llandudno Event 2015