PRESIDENT Marjy Facer welcomed 24 members and three visitors to the first meeting of the new year. Sadly our numbers were depleted by illness but it was the usual lively and friendly occasion. We opened with a short business meeting. The main item was voting for the NF resolutions after Marjy and Judith Hunter had given a brief reminder of the eight topics. The votes were fairly even, but the motion for equal funding for mental health care was the most popular with Ashton. All votes count towards the total so we wait to see which one will be chosen nationally. It was decided not to hold a walk in January as the ground is very wet.

Marjy welcomed as our speaker Jamie Smith from Shaw Green Farm as the original talk on “allotments” had been cancelled. We were very grateful that Jamie and Liz had agreed to come at short notice. The topic was “The Wildlife of Bredon Hill” and included other locations in the Cotswolds. Jamie uses a night film camera which enables him to film creatures unawares and to study their habits, some of which are quite a surprise. (Just like Springwatch). The selected film clips included several from Ashton Woods of badgers, fallow deer and muntjac. Mice of course were frequent on camera but he had also the rarer water vole on film, which is of interest to Cotswold conservation.

Jamie has a special interest in otters and has been able to capture the nocturnal habits of these fascinating creatures. After numbers dwindled in the 50s/60s, probably as a result of prevailing farming practices, they are becoming more widespread. It is wonderful to know that otters are re-appearing in our locality. The downside is that they are frequent predators of carp ponds and cause a lot of damage. Jamie’s view is that Conservation needs a balance of healthy creatures in the wild, with the minimum of human interference.

The illustrated talk provoked many interested questions and Marjy thanked Jamie warmly for his time.

The raffle was drawn and refreshments served by Jen Creese and Penny Scotland. Our next meeting is on February 2. It will be our 75th Anniversary Party and a special celebration.

JUDITH HUNTER