Welcome to our Autumn/Winter Programme
September 2025 to February 2026

All members are very welcome to join any Section meeting. If you wish to become a regular participant in any Section, please give your name and contact details to the Section Leader, who will inform you of any activities which do not appear in the published programme. In the event of bad weather, please check with the Section Leader before setting out. See overleaf for their names and contact details.

Visitors are welcome to attend 2 meetings in a year and requested to introduce themselves to the leader at the start of the meeting. We hope this will encourage them to join us. A few meetings may have to be restricted to members only, for various reasons. This will be indicated in the programme.

Health & Safety Advice: On outdoor activities, please wear stout waterproof footwear, and clothing that protects against scratches and bruises. Everyone who takes part in our activities does so at their own risk.

Society President: Dr Vivian Roberts, Tel 865420 or Mob 07768 091370, email roberts.iwnhas@gmail.com
Membership Secretary: Mrs T Goodley, Tel 652702 or Mob 07849 089924, email tonigoodley@gmail.com
Society Secretary: Colin Pope, email secretary@iwnhas.org
Society Treasurer: Nigel Locke, Tel 407287, email nigel.jill.007@btinternet.com

SECTION LEADERS

Archaeology: Dave Staughton, Tel 07802 918416, email dave@staughton.me

Botany: Colin Pope, Tel 611591, email colinrpope@gmail.com
Dave & Hazel Trevan, Tel 853927 or Mob 07979 098760, email davidandhazel@hotmail.com
Nick Aston, email nickastonbsbi@gmail.com

Entomology: Selena Bone, Tel 298073 or Mob 07971 457624, email selena.iow@icloud.com

Fungi: Colin Pope, Tel 611591, email colinrpope@gmail.com

General: Maggie Nelmes, Tel 852274, email maggienelmes51@gmail.com

Geology: Steve Hutt, Tel 840237 & Trevor Price, Tel 07593 811751, email trevorshorse@yahoo.co.uk

Looking at the Countryside: Mary Edmunds, Tel 532055 or Mob 07791491562, email john.mary.edmunds@gmail.com

Marine & Freshwater: Roger Herbert, Tel 521040, Mob 07531 094738 or email roger.herbert59@btinternet.com

Microscopical: Paul Bingham, Tel 526049, email iowpaulb@aol.com

Ornithology: Please see individual meetings for Leader’s contact information.

Visual Records Collection: We would welcome digital or printed photographs of meetings: flora and fauna, geology, archaeological artefacts – anything relevant to the interests and history of the Society – for our photo library. All originals will be returned. Please contact Society Headquarters.

Society Headquarters: Unit 7c, Prospect Business Centre, Prospect Rd, Cowes PO31 7AD, Tel 282596, Email iwnhas@btconnect.com

Society’s Website: https://iwnhas.org

Programme Secretary: Maggie Nelmes, Tel 852274, Email maggienelmes51@gmail.com

Venue for indoor meetings: Arreton Community Centre, Main Road, Arreton, near Newport (unless otherwise stated).

Archaeology
Dave Staughton is our Archaeology Section Leader. We usually have regular weekly meetings on Wednesday mornings. These are mostly field activities, although occasionally we will have indoor talks and other events. Details of our meetings will be posted on the Society webpage and announced by email. If you wish to receive the email notifications, please contact Dave: dave@staughton.me

---

AUGUST 2025

Entomology

Saturday 2 August at 13:30 hrs

Afton Marsh. Please meet in Coastguard Lane at the South entrance to the marsh, SZ347859. Section Leader: Selena Bone.

Ornithology

Saturday 16 August at 09:30 hrs

Ventnor Downs. Meet at the car park immediately before Ventnor Radar station, SZ565784. Migrants. Leader: Dave Fairlamb 07470 438815 or email natural.links@outlook.com

Looking at the Countryside

Tuesday 19 August at 10:30 hrs.

Wydcombe, Niton. Park in the farmyard, SZ506785. A walk on and around the Wydcombe estate looking at the natural and designed landscape features and the points of wildlife and historical interest during the walk. 3 to 3½ miles, stout footwear required. Leader: Tony Tutton, Mobile 07999 158353.

Botany

Saturday 23 August at 14:00 hrs

Ventnor east cliffs. These cliffs have a rich flora of both native and naturalised species. Amongst many species, we expect to see Wild Clary in one of its best Island locations and the only known Island site for the fragrant naturalised Clematis, Virgin’s Bower. Meet in the (free) car park at Wheeler’s Bay off Victoria Street, SZ568775 from where we will walk along the revetment into Ventnor, returning via The Cascade along the clifftop. Botany Section Leader.

Entomology

Saturday 30 August at 13:30 hrs

Shide Chalk Pit. Please park in Shide or surrounding area. If travelling by bus, Southern Vectis routes 2 and 3 stop near the junction of Shide Rd and St George’s Way. Please meet at the entrance on Burnt House Lane, SZ506883. Section Leader: Selena Bone.

---

SEPTEMBER 2025

Looking at the Countryside

Saturday 6 September at 10:00 hrs

Venerable Oaks. Meet at Quarr Abbey car park, SZ561925. A circular walk following the Ryde Histree Trail, created in 2000 to celebrate some of the oldest oaks on the Island. Visit Dame Anthony’s Common, the Millennium Nature Reserve, and take in the views. No stiles but may be muddy. Approx. 5 miles. Quarr Abbey cafe offers a welcome at the end of our walk. Led by: Michele Van Buren text or phone 07761587391, and Section Leader.

Marine and Freshwater

Sunday 7 September at 15:30 hrs

Bembridge. Meet Bembridge lifeboat station car park SZ656881 for a walk along the shore to brush up on the identification of seaweeds and common intertidal fauna. The ledges are wet, slippery and uneven. Led by Section Leader.

Bats

Thursday 11 September at 19:30 hrs

Appley. Meet at the car park, SZ605922. Led by Section Leader.

General Meeting

Saturday 13 September at 10:30 hrs

Headon Warren, Totland. This gentle stroll is an opportunity to discover what Natural England, together with local landowners, is planning in order to enhance the Headon Warren area for wildlife and visitors. Park in Warren Farm car park off the B3322 to Alum Bay SZ 313854. Led by Mark Larter of Natural England.

Botany

Sunday 14 September at 14:00 hrs

Mount Joy Cemetery. We will be examining and enjoying the rich chalk grassland flora in this cemetery. Park in the lay-by opposite Carisbrooke Priory, Nunnery Lane, SZ489875. Led by Botany Section Leaders.

Ornithology

Saturday 20 September at 09:30 hrs to 11:30 hrs

Bembridge & Culver Downs, meeting in car park by Bembridge Fort,
SZ624859. Migrants. Led by Dave Fairlamb, Mob 07470 438815 or email natural.links@outlook.com

Fungi

Saturday 27 September at 10:00 hrs

Golden Hill Country Park, Freshwater. Meet in the public car park off Golden Hill Fort Road SZ337879. Led by Section Leader Colin Pope and Jackie Hart jackie30hart@gmail.com , Tel 612677.

---

OCTOBER 2025

Looking at the Countryside

Wednesday 1 October at 10:00 hrs

Come, follow the Charles Dickens Trail to see the places he and his family visited and learn about the people they made friends with during their long stay in the Undercliff in 1849, while he was writing David Copperfield. About 3½ miles. Return part-way by bus. Meet at the main entrance to Ventnor Park SZ556773. Roadside parking is free along Park Avenue. Led by Maggie Nelmes.

General Meeting

Saturday 11 October at 14:00 hrs

Structural History of the Isle of Wight, evidence from reworked fossils and sediments, an illustrated talk by Professor Andy Gale. Venue: Arreton Community Hall.

Ornithology

Saturday 18 October at 09:30 hrs

Mottistone Down, meeting at the Jubilee car park off Lynch Lane, SZ420845. Migrants. Led by Teresa Tearle, Mob 07795 078049 or email Teresa.tearle@btinternet.com

Marine and Freshwater

Saturday 18 October at 14:00 hrs

Shanklin. Meet at the mini roundabout at the southern end of Shanklin esplanade SZ585812 for a walk along beach to the rocky shore at Horse Ledge. We shall resume a project started 30 years ago to record the fauna and flora of this famous site. Led by Section Leader.

Fungi

Sunday 19 October at 10:00 hrs

Borthwood Copse, Queen’s Bower. Provided the ground is thoroughly damp, the National Trust’s Borthwood Copse can be a rich site for fungi. Meet in the parish council car park just north of the junction of Forest Road with Alverstone Road SZ566843. Anyone who wishes to attend but feels uncomfortable with the steep path into the wood, could park in the smaller National Trust car park to the south and meet us in the Beech Glade. Leader contact details as 27 September.

Geology

Saturday 25 October at 10:00 hrs

A Visit to see Mick Green’s Stunning Collection of Fossils. Meet at Grange Chine (parking considerately along the roadside verge) – cross the road bridge for Mick’s House 1 Coastguard Cottages, Military Road, Grange Chine, PO30 4DA. A rare opportunity to look at the fossils collected from the Island’s Wealden Rocks. Mick’s workplace is filled with bones and stones awaiting cleaning and restoration. His knowledge and enthusiasm are second to none. Led by Geology Section Leaders.

---

NOVEMBER 2025

General Meeting

Annual Recorders’ Conference

Saturday 8 November 13:30 hrs to 16:30 hrs

This year, our ever-popular Recorders’ Conference will be held at Haseley Manor, Arreton, SZ547857, accessed down Heasley Lane, courtesy of Anthony and Vivian Roberts. This new venue will allow us to accommodate more people and there is ample parking. There will be the usual variety of interesting presentations and an opportunity to catch up with fellow enthusiasts over tea and cake. Open to everyone with an interest in wildlife on the Island. Keep an eye on the Society website and email bulletin for details of the programme nearer the time.

Looking at the Countryside

Thursday 13 November at 10:00 hrs

Meet at Arreton Barns, SZ533867 for a winter walk. Led by Jill Green, Tel 863763 or Mob 07876291385.

Fungi

Sunday 16 November at 10:00 hrs

East Cowes Cemetery. Park along the roadside in Kingston Road SZ503947. Afterwards, we will drive to inspect St James’ churchyard, East Cowes. Leaders contact details as 27 September.

Ornithology

Saturday 29 November 09:30 hrs to 11:30 hrs

St. Helens Duver, Bembridge Harbour/Lagoons, meeting at St Helens car park on the green, off Vine Road, SZ628890. Waders, gulls and ducks. Led by Dave Fairlamb, contact details as 20 September.

---

DECEMBER 2025

General Meeting

Saturday 6 December at 14:00 hrs

A Pipeline Too Far, an illustrated talk by local military historian Tim Wander. Was Operation PLUTO the huge success that shortened the war by providing fuel for the Allied invasion of Normandy? Tim will reveal the truth about the PLUTO pipeline that crossed the Isle of Wight. Venue: Arreton Community Hall.

Looking at the Countryside

Tuesday 9 December: 10:00 hrs

Gatcombe. A 2½ mile circular-ish walk starting at St Olave’s, heading up Rectory Lane and then cutting across to Garstons before returning via Snowdrop Lane and the village. One stretch could be muddy although most of the route is on metalled roads. No stiles. Meet by roadside outside St Olave’s Church SZ491851. Led by Richard Smout, Tel 527477.

Ornithology

Saturday 20 December at 09:30 hrs

Newtown, meeting at the National Trust visitor car park SZ424906. Parking fees apply. Gulls, waders and ducks. Led by Teresa Tearle, contact details as 18 October.

---

JANUARY 2026

Botany

New Year Plant Hunt

We will be meeting in the morning at a venue and date yet to be decided around New Year’s Day to find how many wild plants we can find in flower. This is an annual event held by plant hunters across Britain and Ireland. Look for details on the Society website nearer the time. There will also be information on the BSBI website during December.

General Meeting

Saturday 10 January at 14:00 hrs

Isle of Wight Red Squirrels, an illustrated talk by Dr Jon and Linda Fishman. Hear the latest news from the Red Squirrel Trust, including their first woodland purchase and ambitions for more, and the partnership with the Steam Railway for squirrel-watching opportunities. Venue: Arreton Community Hall.

Ornithology

Saturday 17 January 09:30 hrs to 11:30 hrs

Yar Estuary, meeting outside Off the Rails Café, situated at the end of Station Road, Yarmouth, SZ358894. Ducks, geese, gulls and waders. Led by Dave Fairlamb, contact details as 20 September.

Looking at the Countryside

Wednesday 21 January at 10:00 hrs

Brading Down and Ashey Waterworks. Meet in the layby on the Brading Down Road, below Ashey Down, SZ575874. A walk down a blind lane and a climb to the downs with spectacular views across Sandown Bay. Led by Section Leader.

Botany

Saturday 24 January at 10:00 hrs

Ventnor Botanic Garden. In the depths of winter, we long for warmth and the arrival of spring flowers. At Ventnor Botanic Garden there are interesting cultivated plants to see throughout the year and a surprising number of plants will be flowering in January. Following the success of last winter’s meeting, we will be visiting again to explore the Gardens with Botany Section leaders. You will need to pay for admission to the Garden.

---

FEBRUARY 2026

Geology

Saturday 7 February at 10:00 hrs

A Geology New Year’s Walk. Meet at Godshill car park for a beautiful 3-4 mile walk through millions of years of Cretaceous Rocks sculptured into downland and valleys. Some uphill walking. Led by Geology Section Leaders.

Botany

Saturday 7 February at 13:30 hrs

Botany Indoor Meeting. Our annual indoor meeting is at Arreton Community Centre. We will be reviewing last year’s finds and looking at plans for the coming year. There will be an illustrated talk on interesting plants. Please bring along any photographs or pressed specimens of interest for the exhibition during the tea break.

Botany

Saturday & Sunday 14 & 15 February

Wood Calamint Working Party. The annual Wood Calamint working party at Rowridge Lane will take place on a weekend morning in mid-February. Please contact Mark Simmons for details Mob 07392 614256 nodewell@googlemail.com

General Meeting

Saturday 14 February at 14:00 hrs

Pimps, Faggots and Benders – and Other Things You May Find in the Woods, an illustrated talk on Isle of Wight coppicing by hurdle-maker Richard Knowles. Venue: Arreton Community Hall.

Looking at the Countryside

Tuesday 17 February at 10:00 hrs

Alvington. Meet at St. Mary’s Church, Carisbrooke SZ486882 for a winter walk with views. Leader details as 6 September.

Ornithology

Saturday 21 February at 09:30 hrs

Seaview and Hersey Reserve. Meet at the west end of Bluett Avenue, Seaview SZ626917. Divers, ducks, grebes and gulls. Led by Teresa Tearle, contact details as 18 October.

---

Advance Notice

MARCH 2026

THE IWNHAS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday 28 March 13:45 hrs for 14:00 hrs start

All our members are invited to attend the AGM to hear about the Society’s activities and finances during the past year and to vote for our officers and committees. We look forward to meeting you and having a chat, and we will try to answer any questions.

Contributions of food items to share will be very welcome – such as sandwiches, cakes, biscuits, quiche, crisps, nuts, fruit and raw vegetable sticks. Venue: Arreton Community Centre.