IWNHAS meeting
Welcome to our Autumn/Winter Programme
September 2024 to February 2025
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, Tel 611591, email colinrpope@gmail.com
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
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
Microscopical: Paul Bingham, Tel 526049, email iowpaulb@aol.com
Ornithology: Jim Baldwin, Tel 07528 586683, email wightbto@hotmail.com
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 new 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
Geology
We are pleased to be able to list two fossil walks in this programme. However, due to the need for accurate tide tables and information related to any access problems i.e. road closures/cliff falls, the details of the Winter/Spring 2025 walks will only be available on the Society’s Website nearer the time.
AUGUST 2024
Entomology
Saturday 10 August at 14:00 hrs
Shide. Meet at the small car park at the beginning of the cycle path to Blackwater. If the car park is full, there should be space along the road, SZ503881. Section Leader: Selena Bone.
Ornithology
Saturday 17 August at 09:30 hrs
West High Down. Meet at the National Trust Chalk Pit car park above the High Down Inn, Totland, SZ324855 for a downland walk. Some stiles and steep in places. Migrants. Section Leader: Jim Baldwin.
Looking at the Countryside
Tuesday 20 August at 10:30 hrs
Ryde Cemetery. Meet at St. Paul’s Chapel, West Street, Ryde PO33 2QF, SZ589920. Ryde Social Heritage group invite us to explore the History of Ryde Cemetery, including the three chapels and varied architecture of many memorials in the cemetery. There are displays showing some of the Social History of Ryde and there will be time to look at the extensive archive material at the centre. There will be a £3 charge for this event. Contact Section Leader: Mary Edmunds.
Botany
Saturday 24 August at 14:00 hrs
Bembridge Down. We will be looking for late summer chalk downland plants including Autumn Ladies-tresses, Autumn Gentian, Bastard Toadflax and Clustered Bellflower. Meet at the first National Trust car park on the left past Bembridge Fort, SZ625860. Section Leader: Colin Pope.
Wolverton Manor Garden Fair
Saturday 31 August & Sunday 1 September, 10:00 hrs – 17:00 hrs
Wolverton Manor, Shorwell. The Society will be present at this event. Please come and say hello to our volunteers at our stand and view our displays.
SEPTEMBER 2024
Entomology
Sunday 8th September at 14:00 hrs
Dickson’s Copse – Park at the bottom of Stag Lane for a walk into the copse, SZ503916. Section Leader: Selena Bone
Looking at the Countryside
Wednesday 11 September at 10:30 hrs
Crainges Copse, Calbourne. (opposite Sandpits Farm), SZ429876. A walk and talk by Graham Hardy around a semi-ancient woodland with a demonstration of a country craft such as hurdle making and/or pole-lathe turning and a brief talk on charcoal making. Number limited to eight for this event so Booking Essential. Parking is extremely limited so please car share or bus no. 7 from Newport or West Wight stops at Pump Lane, from where we can walk to the Copse. Contact Section Leader: Mary Edmunds.
Botany
Saturday 14 September at 14:00 hrs
Ryde to Puckpool. We will explore the rich and varied flora around Ryde Canoe Lake and Appley looking for, amongst other things, Twiggy Mullein, the unusual Scentless Geranium, Fragrant Evening Primrose and Treasure Flower. We will then venture onto the beach to look at Eelgrasses (Zostera spp.). Meet at the western end of Ryde Canoe Lake, SZ599927. Roadside parking in the vicinity (charging may apply). Section Leader: Colin Pope / Nick Aston.
Ornithology
Sunday 15 September at 09:30 hrs
Mottistone Down. Meet at the Jubilee car park SZ420845 for a walk in the area. Migrants. Leader: Dave Fairlamb, Tel 07470 438815 or email natural.links@outlook.com
Fungi
Sunday 22 September at 10:00 hrs
Martin’s Wood, Newchurch. A relatively recent planted wood which can be very good for fungi. Meet at the free car park opposite Newchurch School, SZ562854. Section Leader: Colin Pope or Jackie Hart, Tel 612677, email jackie30hart@gmail.com
OCTOBER 2024
Looking at the Countryside
Tuesday 8 October at 10:00 hrs
Niton Undercliff. Meet at the junction of Undercliff Drive and St. Catherine’s Road, SZ505759, parking on the roadside by Castle Haven Lane. A walk looking at the past, present, and possible future of Niton Undercliff along Undercliff Drive, returning along the cliff path. Some steep sections of footpath on the route. Leader: Tony Tutton, email aftutton@gmail.com
Geology
Thursday 10 October at 10:00 hrs
Autumn Fossil Walk. Meet in car park at front of Fort Victoria Country Park, Yarmouth. Wellingtons or other suitable waterproof boots essential. Section Leaders: Steve Hutt & Trevor Price.
General Meeting
Saturday 12 October at 14:00 hrs
Natural England: What is it, what is its role on the Isle of Wight, what projects is it engaged in and what are its plans for the future? An illustrated talk by Mark Larter. Many of our members will know Mark for his help with Val Gwynn’s ambitious regenerative farming project near Shalfleet and for the rewilding project at Great Park, off Betty Haunt Lane, which he showed us. Come to this talk to hear updates on these and news of other projects, both current and future. Venue: Arreton Community Centre.
Fungi
Saturday 19 October at 10:00 hrs
Borthwood Copse, Queen’s Bower. Meet in the parish council car park just north of the junction of Forest Road with Alverstone Road SZ566843. Section Leader: Colin Pope or Jackie Hart, Tel 612677, email jackie30hart@gmail.com
Ornithology
Saturday 26 October at 09:30 hrs
Brading Marsh and Bembridge Harbour. Meet at Latimer Road, St Helens at the “Anchor Island” SZ630888. Waders, wildfowl and gulls. Leader: Dave Fairlamb: contact details as 14 September.
NOVEMBER 2024
Looking at the Countryside
Wednesday 6 November at 10:30 hrs
Surprise November Delights. A three/four mile walk with an optional visit to the Priory. Meet at the Carisbrooke Priory car park SZ489875. Leader: Jill Green, Tel 863763.
General Meeting
Annual Recorders’ Conference
Saturday 9 November 13:30 hrs to 16:30 hrs
There will be the usual variety of interesting presentations and an opportunity to catch up with fellow enthusiasts over tea and cake. Parking at the hall; there is additional parking near the primary school across the road. Open to everyone with an interest in wildlife on the Island and held at Arreton Community Centre. Keep an eye on the Society website and e-mail bulletin for details of the programme nearer the time.
Fungi
Saturday 16 November at 10:00 hrs
Beech Copse, Godshill. Meet in the main car park in Godshill off the High Street SZ530816, from where we will walk to the site. The footpath to the wood can be very muddy. Section Leader: Colin Pope or Jackie Hart, Tel 612677, email jackie30hart@gmail.com
Ornithology
Sunday 24 November at 09:30 hrs
Binfield to the Folly. Park in the car park by the Marina on east bank of River Medina SZ511919, for a walk along the river bank to the Folly and then return. We should see geese, ducks and waders. Leader: Jackie Hart, Tel 612677, email jackie30hart@gmail.com
DECEMBER 2024
Looking at the Countryside
Tuesday 3 December at 10:25 hrs
A fascinating tour of the East Cowes Inshore Lifeboat Centre, Clarence Road, East Cowes, PO32 6HB. Meet in their car park, SZ503949. During LATC meetings members often appreciate the lovely sea views, at this December meeting we are invited to a guided tour through the various stages involved in producing the rigid inflatable lifeboats (RIBS) for the RNLI. The tour will last approx. 1½ hours, no stairs, wheelchair accessible. Optional soup and a roll and quiz at the Lifeboat Inn afterwards, BOOKING ESSENTIAL, phone or text Michele van Buren, Tel 07761587931.
General Meeting
Saturday 7 December at 14:00 hrs
Roman Vectis: A lost Vectensian landscape and its people. An illustrated talk by Professor David Tomalin. David’s recently published book is the first archaeological study of Roman Wight for more than a hundred years. Accomplished navigators, the Romans were already well connected with British shores when they invaded. See romanvectis.com for further details. Venue: Arreton Community Centre.
Fungi
Sunday 8 December at 10:00 hrs
Northwood Cemetery, Cowes. This cemetery has proved to be a reliable site for grassland fungi late in the season, provided we have not had any hard frosts. Meet at the entrance to Northwood Cemetery off Newport Road, Cowes SZ494948. Park in nearby roadsides. Section Leader: Colin Pope or Jackie Hart, Tel 612677, email jackie30hart@gmail.com
Geology
Tuesday 10 December at 11:30 hrs
Winter Fossil Walk. Meet in car park at Yaverland, next to the yacht club. Section Leaders: Steve Hutt & Trevor Price.
Ornithology
Sunday 22 December at 09:30 hrs
Western Yar Estuary. Meet outside the “Off the Rails Café”, situated at the end of Station Road, Yarmouth SZ358894. We should see ducks, geese, gulls and waders. Leader: Dave Fairlamb contact details as 14 September.
JANUARY 2025
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 out 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 11 January at 14:00 hrs
Looking Out for Wildlife on Our Coasts. An illustrated talk by Charlotte Goswell, Isle of Wight Ranger from Bird Aware Solent. Every autumn, thousands of ducks, geese and wading birds migrate to the Solent’s shores to over-winter, taking advantage of the abundance of food. Charlotte’s team engage with visitors and communities about wildlife and the impact of disturbance from recreational activities. Venue: Arreton Community Centre.
Looking at the Countryside
Wednesday 15 January at 10:30 hrs
Mill Copse. Meet at the old Yarmouth school, SZ35428950, for a walk past the estuary and the old mill and on to Mill Copse for an update from Wight Nature Fund on this managed wood. Leader: Thomas Cowley, email thomassjcowley@gmail.com
Botany
Saturday 18 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. Come and explore the Gardens with Section Leaders Colin Pope, Dave and Hazel Trevan. You will need to pay for admission to the Garden.
Ornithology
Sunday 19 January at 09:30 hrs
Newtown. Meet at the National Trust visitor car park SZ424906 for a walk in the area. Parking fees apply. Gulls, waders and ducks. Leader: Teresa Tearle, email teresa.tearle@btinternet.com
FEBRUARY 2025
Botany
Saturday 1 February 13:30 hrs to 16:00 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 also be an illustrated talk on interesting plants. Please bring along any photographs or pressed specimens of interest for the exhibition during the tea break.
Ornithology
Sunday 2 February at 09:30 hrs
Seaview and Hersey Reserve. Meet at the north end of Bluett Avenue, Seaview SZ626917. We should see divers, ducks, grebes and gulls. Leader: Dave Fairlamb contact details as 14 September.
General Meeting
Saturday 8 February at 14:00 hrs
Isle of Wight National Landscape: Evolution or Revolution, an illustrated talk by Richard Grogan. With changes in legislation, policy and guidance, is the change from Isle of Wight AONB to Isle of Wight National Landscape an obvious progression or a radical transformation? The talk will explore the role of the national designation in the light of the climate change crisis and biodiversity emergency, and speculate about the future in the light of Local Nature Recovery Strategies and other initiatives. Venue: Arreton Community Centre.
Looking at the Countryside
Tuesday 11 February at 10:00 hrs
Meet at Quay Road, Ryde (hovercraft end), SZ595928 for a walk around Appley and Ryde eastern esplanade, approximately 2 hours. Leader: Richard Smout, email smoutrichard@gmail.com.
Botany
Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 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, Tel 07392 614256, email nodewell@googlemail.com
Advance Notice
THE IWNHAS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Saturday 22 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.
Looking at the Countryside
Saturday 29 March at 10:00 hrs
Ventnor to Bonchurch. Meet at Wheelers Bay car park, Ventnor SZ568775, for a two hour walk along the revetment to Bonchurch and back. Leader: Andy Butler, Tel 854925, email a.butler321@btinternet.com
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