PRESIDENT Brian Melville opened our meeting on Thursday, October 1 with a reminder to members to wear their name badges. We were not sure whether this was to help him remember who were or remind us who our fellow members are. But at least we will now all know who that back-row troublemaker is!

Our speaker this week was Ian Andrews of Drakes Broughton, who despite a life in industrial chemicals has had a lifelong interest in wildlife and a passion for natural history photography.

Ian talked us through his huge collection of wildlife photos many of which have featured in BBC publications. He has travelled widely and has obviously spent considerable time and effort to capture his amazing pictures. They range from seals, water voles and bats to mice, squirrels and snakes, as well as foxes, goats and deer.

He described how he befriended a fox using Maltezers – but why not a Glacier mint muttered David Lee. He also photographed a variety of birds and flowers, but his favourite remains the 100 per cent pure Scottish Wildcat.

Following a number of questions, Cliff Blackborrow thanked Ian on our behalf, awarding him 20 out of 10 for his excellent presentation.

We meet next on October 8 when we shall hear about the Vale Wildlife Hospital followed on October 15 with a talk on Drones – whatever that or they are!

CHRIS DONOUGH