Minutes

1. Attending were Jim Burnett, Gerri Stevenson, Joyce Simmons, Nora Boyle, Colin Howes, Hilary Hilton, Louise Hill, Margaret Prior, Les Coe, Gill Johnson, June Birchall, Tom Higginbottom, Jo Carreck, Paul Simmons, Catherine Palmer, Ian Farmer, Mick Townsend, Tricia Haigh, Derek Allen, Lesley Bassett and Tim Prosser. Apologies: Jeff Prior, Ruth Brompton-Charlesworth, Helen Kirk and Carol Benson.
2. Minutes of the last meeting. The minutes were accepted by Hilary Hilton and seconded by Gill Johnson.
3. Matters Arising: There were none.
4. Accounts: the accounts were presented by Gerri Stevenson. The balance is £3,888.62p. The accounts were accepted by Nora Boyle and seconded by Tricia Haigh. There was a discussion about increases in expenses in the future e.g. room hire at Parklands and the cost of hiring the Tofield Room for the meeting which was £40 plus VAT. There are indications that YWT will charge more in the future so we may need a different venue for the AGM next year. Also fees for speakers are rising. Expenses are greater than Income but the bank balance is healthy at the moment. The number of members is steadily increasing.
5. Officer’s Reports
6. The president, Jim Burnett read out his report and summarised the last year’s activities. A highlight for Jim was finding a Willow Emerald Damselfly. There followed a short discussion about the species which is on the increase. It was compared to the Emerald Damselfly which is on the decline but no one knows why.

• The programme Secretary, Joyce Simmons read out her report summarising the events of the last year. A theme for the coming year could be ‘Quarries’. Tom Higginbottom suggested another walk around the grounds of Brodsworth Hall to see the Green Winged Orchids in early May.
• The Recorder, Louise Hill read out her report. Louise mentioned Conisbrough Park as a cause for concern as there is an application to cover it with a solar farm. She thinks that it would be a good idea to record what is there. There was a discussion about who to send records to. Louise encouraged members to send their findings to the local Records officer at the council, Bob Marsh. There was a question about using identification apps as data validation is becoming an issue with county and national recorders being overwhelmed.
• The webmaster, Les Coe read out his report. Les’s aim for the coming year is to digitise old records for the website. Les has appealed for an assistant to help with the website and to eventually take it over. No one has come forward so far. Tim Prosser said that he will continue to assist on the technical side and Hilary offered to do some typing for him. Louise Hill applauds Les’s efforts to digitise old records/documents and journals. Gill Johnson emphasised how important this is as archive space is in short supply. Les also enquired about copies of the ‘Doncaster Naturalist’ journals that are missing from the archives. Louise has copies put aside to add to the archive in the old museum building once we know what is happening there. Les also asked if it has an ISBN number and if copies are being sent to the appropriate official bodies, no one knew the answer.
• Secretary, Margaret Prior read out her report and expressed her desire to retire from the post and the end of the coming year. Gill Johnson thanked her, saying that she appreciates the communications.

6. Confirmation of existing Officers. All the officers are in the second year of their term so don’t need electing. Everyone is willing to stay in post.
7. Election of Deputy Webmaster. No one has come forward to fill this post so it remains vacant.
8. Suggestions for speakers/walks. Volunteers to lead walks. Jim volunteered to lead a walk. Les emphasised the importance of archived records to assess if a site hasn’t been visited for a while. Nora suggested contacting new members Samantha and Graham Batty to arrange a visit to their small holding if they are willing. Conisbrough Park was suggested by Colin Howes, this would need at least two visits as it is a large area. Huckster Well plantation and the lily pond at Woodfield Park were also suggested. Mick Townsend suggested Thorpe Marsh for newts and moths. Pond dipping at Thorpe Marsh, bats and bush crickets and badger watching were other suggestions. Tom Higginbottom has a contact who might be able to arrange visits to Squirrel Wood for surveys and mothing.
9. Proposals for purchasing equipment. As pond dipping has proved popular it was agreed to purchase more pond dipping equipment. Hilary volunteered to do this. More FSC identification sheets were suggested. Hilary will liaise with Louise about what to purchase.
10. Field Reports. Jim reported seeing a number of Great White Egrets on the River Idle. They’ve also been seen at Thorpe Marsh and ‘Amazon Lakes’. A Little Egret was spotted at Skellow Dyke.
11. A.O.B.

• Colin Howes updated the members about the archives, in particular the Society’s archive which at present is in his old office in the old museum building. Colin reminded us how important the collections are that are now kept in storage e.g. the coleoptera collection which is not being looked after well. Colin sent a spreadsheet listing the material in the collection to the Chief Executive of the City Of Doncaster Council, Damien Allen. Mr Allen was shocked to be told that there was no curator of natural history. Mr Allen then insisted that the collections should be taken seriously and looked after. There is still no natural history curator in position. Nick Stockforth has been instructed to contact experts in the field for advice. Hopefully things will improve. Colin has been cataloguing items in the Society’s filing cupboard but his access is limited to one day a week. Gill Johnson added that the council made a decision a while ago to only employ generalists and not experts and there isn’t a qualified archivist or librarian currently employed by the council. Colin has prepared information to be sent to members in due course. Colin also thinks there should be a sub-committee to deal with the archive.
• Further to this discussion Louise Hill has been asked to talk at a meeting at Lindholme Hall where the chief executive will be present. She will be talking about her mossery project. During the talk she will emphasise the importance of the collections in the museum. Damien Allen wishes to gain a UNESCO Biosphere designation for the whole of Doncaster so should be receptive.
• Joyce Simmons let us know that the South Yorkshire Natural History Day will be on February 22^nd 2025; Details will be sent out later.
• Mick Townsend reminded members about the phrenology forms. He is accepting them in retrospect and would welcome any contributions.

President’s report January 18^th 2025

Despite some health problems this year I have been able to attend many of our indoor meetings and outdoor field trips. My thanks to Joyce Simmons for organising the programme, and to all the people who have given talks or led walks. At least four of the field trips were to places that were new to me; Thorne Colliery (which attracted only 3 members but about 16 members from elsewhere-mainly Bradford Botany Group. Secondly, Edlington Pit (hundreds of pyramidal orchids). Thirdly, Maltby Common with its Greater Butterfly Orchid. Lastly, some acid grassland near Rossington which I didn’t even know existed. All of these places are within about 10 miles of Doncaster which shows how varied the wildlife can be if you have knowledgeable people showing you what to look for.

A small number of members met at Fishlake in the summer with 2 ladies from DCRT. Despite Louise’s absence we were able to increase their knowledge of the botany of the River Don flood plain at Fishlake.

A newish species to look for is the Willow Emerald Damselfly. My book from 2018 gives it as occurring in the S.E. and East Anglia but at last year’s AGM Mick Townsend reported its presence at Thorpe Marsh. I have seen 2 this year-one at Potteric Carr and 1 at the Mosaic Reserve in Austerfield. On both occasions it was perched in a tree at about eye-level and remained stationary for some time, allowing close inspection. August/September is the time to look.

Jim Burnett

Secretary’s report 2025

I have continued with my role as secretary through 2024. My main role has been centred on emailing members and the writing of the minutes of committee meetings. I tried to count how many emails I had sent out to members and fellow committee members but soon lost count. I send out reminders and further information about meetings to members. I let leaders of outdoor meetings know who has let me know that they are attending and I have sometimes had to ask leaders for more information. I have to be one step ahead and keep a close eye on the programme, working closely with Joyce Simmons with this.

Another part of my job has been answering enquiries that come through the website. These enquiries range from people wanting more information about joining the society to people wanting help with environmental issues around planning applications. I then forward the email to the appropriate person on the committee. Planning issues go to Louise and Colin. I now deal with potential members myself. Only this week I had an enquiry from someone from Edlington Pit wood group asking for help with lists of the fauna and flora of the site. With the help of Louise I was able to point him in the right direction to find this information. This year I had to make sure that the data we have on members is up to date and complete. This meant that members had to complete a new data protection form. I also put the agenda together for committee meetings.

I also received numerous enquiries from web design people offering to ‘improve’ our website to which the answer is always a polite, ‘no thank you’.

I enjoy contact with members, outside agencies and my fellow committee members. I have however decided that I would like to give up this role and the end of this year so we will be seeking a new secretary at the next AGM.

Programme Secretary Report for 2025

For the last couple of years I have divided the year into a summer and winter season. These run from April to September (summer) and October to March as winter.  The winter session coincides with the indoor season at Parklands Social Club.

The early summer programme involved mainly spring flowers and breeding birds. However the wet spring weather did interfere. Flooding caused the cancellation of the Wood Anemone walk and on the St. Aidans excursion we ate soggy sandwiches in pouring rain.

Hilary Hilton led three interesting walks on old colliery sites throughout the season. Mick Townsend arranged meetings at Thorpe Marsh reserve, Louise Hill took botanical forays and the traditional dawn chorus walk to Sandal Beat Wood. Later summer excursions hoped for butterflies, but the wet spring had devastated their populations. This is just a sample of the many walks through the summer – there were extras not on the original programme such as an excellent meeting at Brodsworth Hall arranged by Tom Higginbottom and Catherine Palmer.

The Autumn had 3 expert-led meetings – Fungi by Kevin Kilfedder and another by Francis Hickenbottom, and Mosses by Steven Heathcote. One Harvest Mouse hunt was washed out but two others were pretty successful, Colin Howes is building a picture of the populations in the area.

Indoor meetings have involved the summer review, members’ curiosities, exotic talks on New Zealand and Mammals by members and a fascinating talk by Francis Hickenbottom on flight.

Overall, the year has been very varied with activities hoping to stimulate the interests of members. For the future I could carry on but am very willing to hand the baton to someone else. I am sure fresh ideas would be welcome, whoever is in charge.  All your suggestions of speakers, places to visit and offers of leading walks are vital for our continued success in the future.

Joyce Simmons

Webmasters Report 2025

The website continues to display current and forthcoming programmes of the societies meetings, including any updates to the current programme that occur post publication. There is also an archived record of previous programmes back to 2019.

The website also continues to display any reports of society meetings being held in the current year. There is also an archive record of past meeting reports back to 2020.

A 2024 progress report of the Smeaton Swifts nest boxes, which the society partially funded, is also to be found under Articles, and DNATS Funding Projects.

New features that have been created this current year include

• An Archive section that contains a comprehensive list of all the societies archives, including any publications, as currently stored at Doncaster Museum. (in progress)
• Executive Committee Meetings minutes (in progress)

Future additions to the website under consideration is for the inclusion, where possible, of copies of NATS publications currently in store at Doncaster Museum.

The committee is always open to suggestions from the members for suggestions of additions or improvements to the website.

Les Coe, Webmaster

Recorders Report 2024

I am pleased to report that the Society has continued the important role of recording Doncaster Wildlife; preparing reports, notes and records from the majority of field meetings.  Some reports are also attractively illustrated for display on the website.  These provide an excellent ‘shop window’ for the society and its activities.  Many thanks to field visit leaders who have submitted these reports, and also to the Webmaster for maintaining the website.

A glimpse into the leather-bound Recorder’s Book in the DNS archives illustrates very clearly that, in living memory, the landscapes of Doncaster have changed dramatically.  Often this has been a detrimental habitat change (but not always). 

It is alarming how easily we forget what places used to be like and how some present day rarities were once more common.  It is vital that the Society and individual member continue to record what is found in order to counteract this so-called ‘shifting baseline syndrome’.

Over the past year record have been gathered from at least 14 sites, some on more than one occasion.  This includes a couple of sites just outside the Borough.  (A summary of the recording activity is provided below).

Members are still invited to submit personal records via me as ‘Recorder’ however this route is becoming less used due to the ease of submitting sighting and findings via various Apps or direct to the Local Biological Records Centre via e-mail.  Further information can be found on the DNS Website  https://www.doncasternaturalhistorysociety.org.uk/unused/

The important thing is to make sure that records that have been gathered do make their way to the Biological Records Centre where they can be used to provide evidence for the protection of sites, help to assess the state of our local Biodiversity and also inform nature recovery projects.

Louise Hill 30-12-24

Recording activity AGM Jan 2024 – 30^th Dec 2024

Website Illustrated Reports:

Shaw Wood (LWS) – Spring Flower

St Aidans (West Yorks) Birds

Edlington Pit (LWS) – General Austerfield Quarry – Dragonflies

Detailed lists:

Thorpe Marsh (LWS) (Newting)

Rossington -Gravel Hill (LWS) -Botany

Anston Stones (SSSI) – see YNU report

Thorne Colliery (LWS) -Botany

Holmes Carr (LWS) – Plant Galls and Botany

Doncaster Common (LWS) – see YNU Newsletter

Sprotbrough Ings (LWS) – Botany and general Austerfield Quarry (LWS) – Mosses

Long-running Studies:

Dawn Chorus Survey – Sandall Beat (SSSI) –

Harvest Mouse Nest Hunts – Fowlsyke Flash (SSSI) and Sykehouse

 
The meeting was chaired by Louise Hill (past president) as Nora Boyle, the president, is unwell and unable to attend the AGM.

1. Present

Louise Hill, Margaret Prior, Joyce Simmons, Paul Simmons, Gerri Stevenson, Les Coe, Jim Burnett, Hilary Hilton, Gillian Johnson, Tricia Haigh, Tim Prosser, Derek Allen, June Birchall, Mick Townsend

Apologies

Nora Boyle, Tom Higginbottom, Catherine Palmer, Tony French, Helen Kirk, Jeff Prior.

1. Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes were read out and approved by Gillian Johnson and seconded by Paul Simmons. There were no matters arising.

1. Officer’s Reports

The president Nora Boyle’s report was read out by Louise Hill. The report summarised her activities through the year. Jim Burnett thanked Nora for her work as president of the society and offered a formal note of thanks.

The secretary, Margaret Prior read her report and was thanked for her work and was told how much the reminders of meetings were appreciated by members.

The programme secretary, Joyce Simmons read out her report which summarised the years indoor and outdoor meetings. Joyce noted that many of the meetings were not well attended. Joyce has tried varying days and times for meetings this year and asked those present for feedback. Various members made the following comments:

• It was felt that the variation of time and days for meetings was generally a good thing.
• More afternoon meetings especially at the weekends.
• Louise asked for more ‘exploratory visits’ to new areas.
• More variation in timings.
• Joint meetings with other natural history societies. Joyce pointed out that that is what happened at YNU meetings which members are welcome to attend.
• Some shorter meetings.

Joyce acknowledged that fungal forays were well attended perhaps because they were lead by experts. Joyce would like to receive suggestions for meetings/speakers. She would also welcome offers from members to lead a walk.

The treasurer Gerri Stevenson summarised the accounts. It was pointed out that a planned increase of subs from £7 to £10 needed to be agreed at this AGM. This was agreed by those present. The increase is needed to pay for increases in room hire and to pay speakers.

The accounts were approved by Jim Burnett and seconded by Joyce Simmons.

The recorder Louise Hill summarised her role as recorder. She pointed out that there was a good spread of records in 2023 ranging from February 24^th to December 3^rd. Louise thanked Colin Howes in particular for writing up records from meetings that did not attend. She is sending the records to the local records centre and emphasised the importance of recording species. Louise finished by encouraging members to send records in to Bob Marsh at DMBC.

The webmaster, Les Coe read out his report and encourages members to submit material to go on the website. He will set up blogs for members for their own projects. He encourages members to get in touch. Les emphasised that he is very careful with member’s personal information.

At this point Tim Prosser interjected that the domain name for our website needs changing to a .org address. He suggests running the .org address in parallel with the .co.uk address for a period of 2 years before the latter is retired. Tim will do this for the society.

1. Election of Officers

The officers are prepared to stand again apart from the president. The chairman asked for nominations for president. Joyce Simmons nominated Jim Burnett who was seconded by Paul Simmons. Jim accepted the nomination and was unanimously voted in as president. The rest of the officers were voted in.

Louise then asked for if there were any nominations for the committee as there is a vacancy. Hilary Hilton indicated her willingness to stand as a committee member. Hilary was duly nominated and seconded by Louise Hill. Hilary was voted on to the committee.

1. Field Reports

Mick Townsend reported a new species for Thorpe Marsh NWR, the Willow Emerald Damsel Fly on 25^th September 2023.

Tricia Haigh reported an increase in Kestrels in the area.

1. AOB

The editor of The Doncaster Naturalist, Paul Simmons said that he had received a fair amount of articles for the journal but would welcome more short articles. Joyce Simmons expressed concern that there wasn’t much about the late Pip Seccombe to whom the journal will be dedicated. However, it was pointed out that Colin Howes was writing up Pip’s work on the Owston Fritillary.

Gerri asked about whether she should buy a bat detector with Pip’s legacy money. It was agreed that we should buy one and that we should look again at Colin Howe’s research document that he sent to committee members in December before deciding which one.

Louise Hill asked if we should buy practical conservation equipment e.g. for use at Lindholme and the ‘mossery’ project. After a discussion it was felt that it was inappropriate.

The meeting ended at 11.45am followed by lunch and a walk around Potteric Carr. The next committee meeting is arranged for 1.30 on Feb 29^th to take place in the Potteric Carr cafe. Joyce Simmons will try to set this up.
 

Held at Parklands Club, Doncaster

Present: Lesley Bassett, Nora Boyle (C), Margaret Prior (C), Carol Benson, Hilary Hilton, Catherine Palmer, Tom Higginbottom, Ian Farmer, Louise Hill (C), Paul Simmons, Joyce Simmons (C), Tim Kohler, Jim Burnett, Mick Townsend, Jeff Prior, Derek Allen and Gerri Stevenson.

Apologies: Tony French, Tricia Haigh, June Birchill, Jim Burnett, Les Coe (C).

(C) = Committee Member.

1. Minutes of last AGM. The minutes were proposed by Tim and seconded by Nora Boyle.

2. Election of officers.

Treasurer: Gerri Stevenson was proposed as the new treasurer by Colin Howes and seconded by Joyce Simmons.
Gerri was elected as the new treasurer. The rest of the officers agreed to stand for another year.

The new treasurer stated that she prefers payment of subs by BACS but will accept cheques this time but cash is preferable to cheques in future. The treasurer also stated that she is going to start internet banking. Gerri asked that members contact her by email when they have paid by BACS.

3. This year’s programme.
Joyce asked that members let the secretary know if they are attending a meeting and could leaders share a mobile phone number if possible.

Moviemakers evening. We have a 45 minutes slot and short films are requested as well as a donation of food items for the supper.

Joyce asked for more suggestions for the programme.
  Mick Towsend suggested a newting evening.
  Louise Hill wondered if Pip Seccombe’s archive could be the subject of a talk.

Colin Howes thanked members for their contributions to the Denaby Ings project. Colin reported that Bob Marsh had downloaded the information from Colin’s computer for recording purposes.

Members were asked to get in touch with Joyce with any more suggestions.

4. AOB

Colin Howes asked members to let him know where mistletoe is growing as he is doing a mistletoe survey.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF THE DONCASTER NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY

Held at the Education Centre, Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, on 4 September 2021 at 10.30 a.m.

Present: Nora Boyle, President (in the Chair); Derek Allen; Lesley Bassett; Carol Benson; June Birchall; Ruth Brompton-Charlesworth; Jim Burnett; Geoff Carreck (C); Louise Hill (C); Colin Howes (C); Joyce Simmons (C); Paul Simmons.

(C) = Committee Member.

1.  Apologies: Jo Carreck; Les Coe; Tony French; Tom Higginbottom; Gill Johnson; Catherine Palmer; Margaret Prior; Geoff Prior; John Scott; Anna Thirlwell; Maurice Whitta and Mick Townsend

2.  Minutes: The minutes of the last AGM held 18 January 2020 were accepted (proposed Joyce, seconded Ruth).

3.  Matters Arising:

Signatories: Margaret Prior had been appointed as a cheque signatory in place of Pip Seccombe.

Pip Seccombe : had retired from the Committee. She had been awarded Honorary Life Membership and given a collection of fritillary bulbs, which had flourished.

Programme Secretary’s Report: Joyce had reported improvements in the planning of outside meetings.

Newsletters: were no longer produced in paper form, but activities were recorded on the website.

Summer Programme: Visits to bird watching sites had been scheduled but had to be cancelled. Shorter meetings had been requested and so afternoon visits to Broad Oaks Farm and Brockadale were arranged.

Winter Programme: Parklands had been closed because of Covid so ideas for Indoor Meetings were not required.

Dorothy Bramley’s Paintings: Louise Hill retrieved the paintings from the Old Museum and relocated them to her house. 3 had been donated to the museum for possible future display in the museum.8 had been sold by auction to the membership

4.  Election of Officers: the current Committee had agreed to continue in office, with the exceptions of Maurice Whitta, who has stepped down as Conservation Officer, and Derek Allen, who will continue to minute the AGM and inside meetings, but not Committee Meetings. The latter role would be filled by Geoff Carreck. Nora Boyle indicated her intention to resign as Treasurer, to concentrate on the Presidency, at the end of this year.

5.  Reports of Officers:
President: Nora Boyle started with a reminder that the last few Parklands meetings in 2020 had had to be cancelled. The venue was now available again, but no arrangements had been made. The Committee met bimonthly via Zoom since the Covid situation arose. Several members had joined YNU Zoom meetings and 3 committee members had contributed on behalf of DNATS.

Nora thanked Derek for minuting Society events for so many years (since 1984). In recognition of his sterling work he had been awarded Honorary Life Membership. The meeting applauded.

Maurice Whitta was unwell, and had retired from the Committee. His role as Conservation Officer would be allocated to existing Committee members as required.

Nora was pleased to report that more leaders willing to organise outside visits had emerged. They also exhibited willingness to write reports. Eleven new members had been gained in the last two years. Two of the new members, who are also land owners, agreed to lead walks on their land. These were very well attended and appreciated. It is hoped we can arrange further visits. So thank you to Caroline Barrass and Anna Thirwell for their hospitality and enthusiasm. The membership now numbered 50. It was remarked that this is an achievement since it was known that several other Natural History Societies had ceased to operate.

The Denaby Ings survey for the YWT was proceeding well under Colin’s curatorship. Personal visits by Bob Marsh to record insects and Tom Higginbottom to record galls had taken place. Several experts had contacted Colin and offered help in collating information and records in their area of expertise.

The Society had received a letter from Ed Shaw of the Doncaster Catchment Riverside Trust, asking for our support for a lottery funded scheme to explore and improve the environment of the lower Don Valley. Colin had composed a letter of support, including a variety of suggestions.

Nora then asked if anyone had any comments to make about her report.
Lesley Bassett enquired about the inclusion of members who did not have the Internet at home. Jim and Derek replied that they used the facility in the Library. Nora said they were informed of meeting information by phone. The old way of writing newsletters and sending out copies to members was raised. Louise referred to the Newsletter as it used to be produced ie biennially on two sides of a sheet of A4. Several members said they liked to have material in document form. The Committee would look at this again.

Secretary: In Margaret’s absence, Nora gave her report .The meeting wished to record their appreciation of Margaret’s diligent and efficient efforts.

Treasurer: The 2020 accounts were accepted (proposer Geoff Carreck, seconder Paul Simmons).The 2021 accounts were not due. Thanks to the sale of Dorothy Bramley’s Books we have an even healthier bank balance of £3833 on 27th August 2021 .Nora suggested that to honour Dorothy’s contribution we should find a positive use for the money. One suggestion was to pay more experts to lead outdoor meetings. This was agreed.

Another suggestion was to consider designing a new NATS logo. Maybe this could be printed on a tee shirt.

Recorder: Louise had received a great deal of assistance from Colin in the past year, due to her extensive commitments. She showed the file she had inherited from Pip which contains records of meetings and detailed records which she had amassed during her time as Recorder. She also mentioned the comprehensive records that Colin maintains. Records they receive are archived by the Society as well as submitted to the local Biological Records Centre. Louise said that records submitted should contain what, where, when and who. The where should include a grid reference, obtainable from an OS map, a smartphone or an internet aerial photograph. The who should identify the person who identified the species, as the provenance needed to be checked in the case of rarities. Louise and Joyce both stressed the value of past recording when opposing planning applications.
Writing reports for outdoor meetings was discussed briefly but since this was still under discussion by the Committee it was decided that the matter should be left to them for the moment.

Webmaster: Les Coe had provided a report which Nora read on his behalf. Nora also read an account, published by Sheffield Daily Telegraph, of a meeting held at the Mansion House in 1904 by Doncaster Scientific Society which was the original name of DNATS. This was one of a series of articles available to read on the website under “Home”. The meeting had been enlivened by an exhibition of specimens of active radium willemite and pitch blend.
Colin added that the NATS archives also had a lot of newspaper cuttings of interest.

Programme Secretary: Joyce said that outdoor visits had resumed with groups of no more than 6, which had worked well. If more than 6 turned up, the party was divided and proceeded separately. Larger groups were now allowed. Leaders were sending out detailed instructions via Margaret. Joyce asked if those planning to attend meetings could inform the leader, and also if they subsequently cancelled.

6.  Indoor Programme: Joyce asked for views on resuming indoor meetings. No clear view was obtained. Similar societies had adopted differing policies. Jim Burnett said some societies asked for vaccination status, even when they did not require proof. It was thought that the whole membership should be canvassed.

Little interest had been shown in Zoom meetings. The meeting felt they should be tried, especially as we were paying for extended sessions. The Committee would look at this again.

7.  Outdoor Programme: Joyce mentioned the Denaby Ings project. This had been instigated by Jim Horsfall of the YWT. Several surveys had been made and interesting results obtained. Colin was collating records. She commended two forthcoming Fungal Forays. The first at Finningley Churchyard with Kevin Gilfedder in October and the second in November at the Almshouses in Hemsworth with Francis Hickenbottom. The lawns at the Almshouses produce an amazing number of fungal species and the visit was highly recommended.. Moth Nights had resumed. One at Austerfield had produced over 80 species.
Joyce reminded members of the benefits of the YNU. Nats members were affiliated and could attend meetings. The YNU website gives contact e mails for experts willing to help identify species in a variety of fields.

Joyce wanted opinions on future meetings and for future leaders to volunteer. Margaret would be asked to enquire of the membership.

8.  Field Records/Notices: The meeting was running late so it was decided not to go through field Records. Some of Dorothy Bramley’s books were available for sale today, also her paintings and back copies of the Doncaster Naturalist. Colin suggested taking unsold items to a dealer such as Tennants. Geoff asked how the Society had acquired the Bramley items. Louise thought her son had donated them.

9.  Any Other Business: None.

10.  Date of Next Meeting: to be decided.

EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

Venue , date and attendance as above.

Geoff Carreck discussed changes to the Constitution. These consisted of changes to the membership of the Committee, mentioned at the AGM above; the extension of the Committee Members’ terms of office to 2 years, both they and the President being nominated , seconded and (if necessary) elected, and the provision of a new Dissolution clause. There being no dissent, Colin Howes proposed and Nora Boyle seconded that the new Constitution be adopted. This motion was carried unanimously.

The combined meetings closed at 12.26 p.m.

As you may have guessed we are not expecting to be able to have an Annual General Meeting, so at the last committee meeting I asked the current Officers if they would be prepared to remain in position for another year and they all agreed. According to the constitution the President remains in position for two years, so we will continue with the same committee for the coming year and the committee will continue to meet on Zoom.

Nora Boyle (president)

Presidents Report 2020
We began the year with a very enjoyable walk at Fairburn Ings in January followed by lunch at a local Pub and managed to follow the planned program of Indoor meetings during February. By the middle of March, Covid restrictions had started to come into play and put an end to further indoor meetings. So we missed the planned meetings by Helen Kirk entitled “The Sundew Plume” and “Woodland Management” by Tim Bryant.

During the Natural History Day organised by Sorby Natural History Society on February 22nd Colin Howes gave a talk and we had a strong DNATS presence of 8 members.

Several members attended the first Nature Alliance meeting on March 3rd at Doncaster College looking at Biodiversity and Footprint in the face of Economic Development along with other local groups. Louise took her laptop showing examples of places visited by the DNATS and we took the display board which was revamped by Margaret Prior and myself to include more recent photographs of our activities.

Our last meeting on the original program was “Early Spring Flowers at Norwood” and this was followed by Lockdown in which groups weren’t allowed to meet either indoors or outdoors. Fortunately in early June we were given the go ahead to meet in groups of six and so on 9th June and 17th of June two groups of six were given a tour of Broad Oaks Farm by Caroline Barrass who joined the group earlier this year. Since that date it has been almost impossible to stick to the planned program since some venues were closed and some events such as the bio blitz at Potteric were cancelled. Instead we created a new program of meetings in which we restricted the number of participants to 12 so that we could have two groups of six and comply with Government regulations. These meetings included Fairburn Ings, Potteric Carr, Thorpe Marsh, Brockadale, Bentley Community Woodland, Brodsworth Community Woodland, River Torne Washlands, Fen Carr Hedgerows , Denaby Ings , King’s Wood, Topham Ferry, Howell Wood and Bawtry Forest.

Instead of a Winter program of indoor events and with the exception of the month of November we have continued with outdoor meetings which we have scheduled until the end of January when we will assess the situation and if indoor meetings are still not viable we will program more outdoor meetings.

Following the Fen Carr visit when Colin Howes executed a Hedgerow survey he sent the results to Jim Horsefall, Assistant Reserves Officer for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT). Jim then suggested we might carry out some survey work for the YWT. Jim said he would be pleased to receive records for any of the sites but highlighted three. Subsequently the committee decided that along with other meetings we would undertake a long term project of surveying the site at Denaby Ings Nature Reserve.

The aim would be on conclusion of the survey work, for DNS to produce a publication on the Environmental History and Biodiversity of the reserve. Hence a preliminary visit was made in October so that we could be made aware of the different habitats on the site, referring to a map of the site provided by Jim. The map in question was shared with the membership at the beginning of November and they were encouraged to make individual visits to the site and send records to Colin Howes. Next year the intention is to have several group visits throughout the seasons and to invite experts in areas of expertise which we don’t have in the Society to make some visits either with DNS or on their own.

Last month several members of the committee attended a Zoom meeting organised by the YNU in which it was decided to create a series of Zoom meetings which could be made available to the membership. As affiliated members Doncaster Naturalists are also able to register for the events through Eventbrite via a link which will be sent to members closer to the arranged dates. The events are free but there is a limit of a hundred attendees so it’s important to register for tickets as soon as you get the link. Three dates were organised initially with the first, occurring on the 10th of December. This was a presentation by Paul and Joyce Simmons on Brockadale. I understand that shortly a recording of the meeting will be made available so those who couldn’t get tickets will have another chance to view. The second on the subject of “Identifying Grasses from Vegetative features” by Judith Allinson will take place on January 14th at 7.30pm and the
third on “Climate Change and the Brown Argus Butterfly” will be on February 11th at 7.30pm.

We welcomed seven new members during the year; Ruth Brompton Charlesworth, Caroline Barrass, Anna Thirlwell and her daughter Georgina, Samantha and Graham Batty and Fern Harrison who has written a thesis on the Pollinators of Denaby Ings. We now have 44 members.

Sadly two of our members passed away during the year. Marc Seccombe who was a very successful film maker and long term member of both Doncaster Movie Makers and Doncaster Naturalists Society died on Easter Sunday during the first Covid lockdown when only 10 people were allowed to attend funerals so some members lit a candle in his memory at the time of the funeral. Later in the year Bessie Chapman, our longest serving member, died on September 13th at the age of 98. She had been a member from the age of 15 and at one time acted as Treasurer. The society was represented at her funeral by Colin Howes and Tom Higginbottom.

Pip Seccombe was made an Honorary Life Member and given a gift of Snake’s Head Fritillary bulbs which her son planted in the garden.

Dorothy Bramley’s paintings were put on Dropbox and an auction held which resulted in the sale of 7 paintings. Those members who haven’t picked up the painting they made a bid for should arrange with Louise to pick them up from her house which is where the paintings are being stored.

The website has been improved tremendously by the Webmaster, Les Coe. You can see more details by reading his separate report. Thanks to Les and all those who have contributed photographs and project notes.

Our recorder, Louise Hill, would like to give thanks to Nats members and Colin Howes in particular for gathering copious records from the Society’s outings this Summer and Autumn. She would also like to thank individual members for forwarding their own records so that they can also be added to the Local Records Database.

Finally I would like to thank all the members of the committee for their contributions to the Society.
Best Wishes
Nora

Webmaster’s Report 2020
Due to an increasing amount of annoying spam mail, the Contact Form was removed and email addresses were modified to prevent bots etc., from accessing them.
The home page had a few modifications made including a link being provided to details of the constitution and the addition to the Officials of the Society of ‘Past President(s)’ in line with the constitution. Tim also provided a much-improved map of the societies area.
A new section ‘ID support for Members’ has been introduced which generally provided answers to most of the questions posed by members.
Meeting Reports 2020 also included an archive of 2019 Meeting Reports to be found on the header page. In due course, all 2020 meeting reports will also be archived in the same manner.
The indexes of all editions of the Doncaster Naturalist were made available on the website with contents of volumes one and two being available in PDF format.
Members projects proved to be a popular addition to the website with twelve projects being shared with members. The 2020 projects will be archived on the Project header page thus inviting members to contribute fresh observations for 2021. All members are invited to contribute their findings for 2021 and will be allocated their own page.
Members can also contribute stories to the Articles page that would be of interest to the membership.
The newly formed ‘Insect’ section, whereby members can submit photographs of anything belonging to the Insect world, has also proved to be very popular, especially in the Moths section. Here both Dave Williamson and Samantha Batty have contributed hundreds of excellent photographs. Members are encouraged to continue submitting their photos through 2021 of any insect(s).
The latest section to be added has an introduction to the Societies ‘Denaby Ings Project’ where the societies activities throughout 2021 can also be shared with members.
If members would like another topic to be introduced, possibly along the lines of the Insect Section, the do let any member of the committee know.
Finally, I would remind members of the search facility that is available on the website.
Les

Treasurer’s Report 2020
Following the resignation of Pip Seccombe a change of signatories for cheques was required.
Cheques now require the signature of two out of these three officers: Margaret Prior, Louise Hill and Nora Boyle
The following is an abbreviation of the accounts with specific attention to Income and Expenditure

INCOME
Full subscriptions: 45 x £7 ( 42 for this year and 3 for next ) £315
Donations from members: £20
Donations from non members £1
Sales of back copies of Doncaster Naturalist: £11.50
Sales of the latest Doncaster Naturalist: £57
Sales of Dorothy Bramley’s paintings £295

Total income is £699.50

EXPENDITURE
Speakers Expenses: £130
Donation to Potteric Carr for the AGM: £40
YNU Subscription: £30
Room Hire at Parklands: £50
Flowers, card and bulbs for Pip Seccomb’s retirement £18
Printing of Doncaster Naturalist: £83
Administration Expenses: £41.62
Zoom Meetings: £43.17

Total Expenditure: £435.79

Notes:
The difference between Income and expenditure is + £263.71, mainly as a result of selling some of Dorothy Bramley’s paintings.

The bank balance is healthy at £3610.05 and since we have been unable to arrange indoor meetings the committee decided that instead of increasing the subscriptions to £10 ,which had previously been proposed, membership fees should remain at £7.

Since it is unlikely we will be able to have an AGM, subs can be paid after the first of January by bank transfer to Account number 65588745, Sort Code 089299 using your name for reference, by cheque made payable to Doncaster Naturalists’ Society and sent to N. Boyle, 48 Wicklow Rd, Intake, Doncaster DN2 5JX or in cash at meetings.

Sales of Doncaster Naturalist are down mainly due to absence of indoor meetings. We still have 24 left. Copies can be requested from me and paid for by Bank Transfer or by cheque for £3.50 if postage is required and £2.50 if purchased at a meeting. If you want to pay by Bank transfer I can send you a copy this year but please wait to make payment until the beginning of January.

Administration Expenses include stamps and envelopes for the posting of Doncaster Naturalist stamps to send Newsletters and programmes to those who are not online and printing of photographs for the display board.
 

Members present: 13

1. Apologies: S. Hill, T.Higginbottom, C.Adamson, C.Palmer, M.Prior, J.Prior, P.Seccombe, M.Seccombe, J.Scott, L.Coe and M.Whitta

2. Minutes of the last meeting : Approved

3. Matters Arising: Movement of archives from the museum was suggested
Venue for Indoor Meetings: Although Parklands has no lift no other venue was suitable so meetings will continue to be at Parklands for the time being.
Use of the museum: C.Howes raised concerns about future storage of materials which are in his old office, Doncaster Nats archives and Dorothy Bramley’s paintings.

4. Officers Reports:
President’s Report from Louise Hill – See separate document for Presidents’s notes. (See below)

Secretary’s Report read by Nora Boyle on behalf of Margaret Prior
Apologies for not attending the AGM.
I have continued with my role of secretary by sending out reminders about upcoming meetings and dealing with enquiries usually from new members. I have had no correspondence other than emails to deal with. I have also disseminated information about other issues that may have been of interest to members. I still have a number of YNU publications that members can borrow; I have given one to Louise to take along to the meeting.
I have liaised with Les Coe about the new website which I think is a great. I have also attended most of the meetings and along with Nora we devised the quiz for the Christmas Social.
I am willing to carry on being secretary.

Treasurer’s Report from Nora Boyle
Expenditure: £411.68
Income: £405
Difference between Expenditure and Income £6.38
Total Funds: £3345.96
Subs: Remain at £7
Subs can be paid by Bank Transfer into Account number 65588745, Sort Code 08-92-99.
Financial Statement approved by L. Hill and seconded by G.Carreck
Assets and their value need to be revised.
Bank signatories need to be updated since Pip Seccombe retired. Margaret Prior to take her place as one of the three signatories.
15 Copies of Doncaster Naturalist remain for sale at forthcoming meetings or venues.

Recorder’s Report by Louise Hill
Louise has been acting as recorder for the society in recent months following Pip Seccombe’s necessity to reduce her involvement. Pip indicated before the AGM that she wished to stand down as Recorder. She will continue her membership. A gift in recognition of her long service will be arranged.
Detailed records of field meetings have been sent to Bob Marsh Biological Records Officer.
Colin Howes pointed out that field records by individuals need to be comprehensive in terms of location and species name.

Program Secretary’s Report
Joyce Simmons gave her apologies for her absence at the meeting but asked the members for suggestions for the Summer Program so that the program could be ready by mid March. She requested that each outing should have a designated leader and details of sites made available when suggestions were made.

Conservation Officer’s Report
No report from Maurice Whitta who gave his apologies for his absence.

5. Newsletter./ Website Nora Boyle discussed possibilities for the Newsletter. Louise Hill reminded us of the content of Newsletters produced in the past by Pip Seccombe as one suggestion. Content for website to be sent to Les Coe from Nora Boyle and Margaret Prior.

6. Election of Officers
Louise Hill stepped down as President after over 12 years in the post.
Nora Boyle was nominated and elected President.
Pip Seccombe stepped down as Recorder.
Louise Hill was nominated and elected Recorder.
The other officers were re- elected en mass.
Resolutions: None

7. A. Summer Programme – suggestions
The membership were asked if there was anything in particular they wanted regarding the Summer Programme. Several members indicated they would like a visit which included bird watching. Several said they would like some shorter visits as opposed to an all day meeting. Suggestions were Old Moor, St Aidens’, Fairburn Ings, Thorpe Marsh, North Cave, Finningley Churchyard, Austerfield, Fen Carr, Thorne Moors, Pit tips,Barrow Hills, Pot Rings Wood, Carr Lodge and the River Torne at Rossington.

B. Winter Programme
The recent flooding using Louise Hill’s footage and /or possibly the Flood Warden at Fishlake

8. AOB
Pip Seccombe
The membership agreed that Pip Seccombe become an Honorary Life Member and that she should be given a gift in recognition of her work for the Society.
Dorothy Bramley’s Paintings
The paintings may well need to be relocated in the near future.
The previous suggestion that we might offer a loan service was ruled out because it would be too complicated.
An alternative suggestion was to offer them for sale initially to members then the open market. The matter of prices would need consideration. The web site could be used to advertise them. No final decision was made.
Doncaster Nature Alliance
Warren Draper is producing a booklet called Wild Times which will accompany the first public event on 3.03.20 at Doncaster College. Articles related to Biodiversity and Climate change are requested. Louise Hill has submitted a short description of the work of Doncaster Naturalists.
Gill Johnson informed us that the xp school near the Keep Moat Stadium wishes to make contact with the Society. The intention is to look into how we might interact.
The meeting closed at 11.55am.

Doncaster Museum – Natural History Archive, Collections and Enquiries
• Cataloguing at the Natural History Archive – – has been unable to continue due to restricted access and lack of time!
• Still have no formal memorandum. Contact was made in Nov with Anne Marie Knowles.
• Dorothy Bramley’s Paintings – intended to be available for long-term loan to members but there has been no progress. Perhaps we offer then to sale to members. Need to create brochure using Ken’s photographs.

Links with other groups
• South Yorkshire Bat Group Rob bell gave talk. Hibernation Surveys Sun Feb 16th 10.00am Archer’s Way).
• South Yorkshire Botany Group & Bradford Botany Group joint outings (Elsecar and Leven Canal).
• YNU Field Excursions: VC 63 Sprotbrough
• Three Hagges Wood-meadow – guided visit

Special Sites/Projects
• Lindholme Old Moor & Hatfield Moors – Mothing visits and still well represented on Management Group.
• Shirley Pool – with YNU Botany and Ento. Sections.
• RSPB new Reserve at Adwick Washlands

Regular Outings
• Dawn Chorus – Sandall Beat – dedicated few!
• Thorpe Marsh GCN surveys – egg search and torch survey.
• Thorpe Marsh Purple Hairstreak count.
• Harvest Mouse Hunts – wash-out!
• New Year Walk (Fairburn Ings).
• Birch-bashing at Lindholme Island Oct, Nov and Dec

Training the next generation
Where are they?

Venturing further a-field
• Fairburn Ings.
• Bempton Cliffs

Future Programme
• Fen Carr?
• Doncaster’s HuMPs & PimpLES Colliery Sites
• Suggestions please – not just botany.

Promoting the Society
• Lindholme Fete – (June) Display Board and hand’s-on display and activities. Guided walks. Very warm. Short walks.
• YNU Conference attended by several members (no Nats displays).

Representations made at various outside meetings:
• LAH – Doncaster Biological Records Centre Steering Group and Local Sites Partnership (April) Annual report available.
• LAH – Doncaster Nature Alliance (Climate Change and Biodiversity)
• LAH – Keeping in contact with CCT – owners of Shirley Pool and Inkle Moor.
• LAH attended several Potteric Carr Monitoring Group Meetings (Personal capacity and Representing Nats).

Publications
The Doncaster Naturalist – Papers for the next edition required.

Website
Very many thanks to Les Coe for taking on the job of creating and maintaining the fantastic Nats website.

Newsletter
Many thanks to Nora for preparing the Society’s newsletters and forwarded reports to the website.

Winter Programme – All meeting now at Parklands due to Museum closure / winding down. Meeting venue in new building unlikely.

Equipment – Remember we have it – use it!

Louise Hill 18th Jan 2020

The event is to be held on Tuesday evening 3rd March 2020 from 5.30pm – 8.30pm (speakers from 6.00pm) at the Doncaster College drama studio and restaurant area. Entry is free but first obtain a ticket from https://tinyurl.com/vrjh6ax

Worried about the climate & biodiversity?
Want to support nature recovery in Doncaster?

Keynote speaker Professor Ian Rotherham ‘Climate Change, biodiversity extinction and the rest – time for despair or for hope and action?’

Meet many of the organisations and groups already involved in nature recovery, wild flowers, trees, gardens, peatland – find out how you can be involved.

Pick up a copy of a new publication Doncaster Wild Times – Your Free Guide to Doncaster’s Natural Wonders.

Find out about nature events and activities around Doncaster in the near future.

I am writing this short report of the AGM as the current President following the election of officers, more of which I will come to in a moment. The intension is to circulate a more detailed version covering items on the agenda shortly but I felt it was important to inform the membership of the changes to the officers as soon as possible.

Louise Hill, having been President for many more years than intended, stepped down from that role and is now Recorder (and hopefully occasional consultant for the new President!).  Thank goodness she will continue to be very involved in the Society as her wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and connections is irreplaceable. We are all very grateful that she continued to be President for so long. She will also monitor the whereabouts of the archives in the museum.

Pip Seccombe stepped down from her role as Recorder and Committee member for health reasons and, in the absence of a volunteer I agreed to continue in the role of Treasurer and in essence Membership Secretary. Those who were present at the meeting signed a “Thank You for your contribution to the Society” card for Pip which Louise and I delivered after the annual walk. Again, as with Louise, we can’t underestimate the amount of work Pip has undertaken on behalf of the Society since she joined in 1974. Pip was delighted to receive the card. In her resignation email she said she was overwhelmed by the letters, cards, visits and phone calls from so many people, including members of the Society. These made her feel so loved and so she sends a big THANK YOU. I’m sure she won’t mind me telling you that she is continuing her chemotherapy, the signs are good and she isn’t experiencing any nasty side effects. She will continue to be a member.

Margaret Prior remains as Secretary, Joyce Simmons as Program Secretary, Maurice Whitta as Conservation Officer, Derek Allen as Minutes Secretary, Les Coe as Webmaster and Colin Howes and Geoff Carreck as Supporting Officers.

As Treasurer I am attaching my report which informs you that the subs remain the same as last year i.e. £7 since, as you can see, the funds in the bank remain almost as last year. If you so wish you can pay by Bank Transfer using the Account number and Sort Code given in the report. If you do, please use your name as reference and let me know so I can update the records. The report also reminds you of the assets which are still of use and available for members to borrow. Most of these are at the moment with Louise.

Shortly Joyce will want to start fixing dates for Summer meetings so if anyone has a venue in mind please let Joyce know as soon as possible. I know this has been already requested but will serve as a reminder. Also, if you know the site very well it would be great if you could lead a field meeting. Mick would you let Joyce have the dates of your meetings, please.

Also, I’d like to remind you that Paul Simmons will be gathering items for the next publication of The Doncaster Naturalist. If you’d like to contribute but not sure of a topic, one idea from another group is a review of a book or a piece of equipment. The future of the newsletter was mentioned and I haven’t made a firm decision about it yet but it won’t be the same as last year (which would be duplicating the reports on the website) The format will definitely change and will no longer be sent out round about the same time as the programs. No doubt this will evolve as time goes on. In fact, I think this has become a Newsletter as well as a brief report on the AGM.

Thank you to all those members who were able to attend the AGM and for everybody’s contribution to the Society throughout the year. One of the most endearing qualities of the group is the supportive nature of the members. This in my mind makes the group very strong and the meetings a delight to attend. I’m in no doubt that at some time I will need support following in the footsteps of Louise. Feel free to let me know if I make mistakes or omit to do something important, I think the most important thing is to continue to work together as we have done in the past, contribute wherever we can, learn from each other and enjoy the meetings however many you attend.

Best Wishes Nora
 
Treasurer’s Report for 2019

Members
We have 41 members. 39 fully paid members,1 HLM and 1 Long Serving member (3 less than last year)

Total Income: £405
Comprising
Membership fees 41×7 (39 +1 for last year and 1 for next year £287.00
Donations from members: £24.50
Donations from non members: £6.00
Sales of Doncaster Naturalist £13.00
Talk to Edenthorpe Gardening Club by Louise and Pip £40.00
Butterfly Walk by Ron Moat for Friends of Dunsville Quarry £35.00

Expenditure: £411.68
Comprising
Speakers fees £60
Donation to Potteric for Room Hire £40
YNU Subscription £30
Room hire at Parklands £ 250
Bulb for Moth Trap £10
Pots for insect collection £8
Administration fees £13.68

Expenditure is £6.38 more than Income.

Funds available: Bank: £3278.67. Cash: £67.67. Total: £3345.96
Publication fund is £497.30
Pool Value of assets is £657.20 ( including new bulb for moth trap and set of insect collecting boxes )
General Funds available: £ 2848.66

The committee decided that the subscription should remain at £7 for another year. For anyone who wants to pay by Bank Transfer, the Account number is 65588745 and the Sort Code is 089299

To remind you we have the following assets, currently with Louise Hill, which are available for members to loan.

Bat Detector Projector Screen and Case Various FSC guides 2 Display Boards 2 Amphibian nets
Guide to British Moths and Butterflies
Identification of Moths book
Battery powered Actinic Moth Trap
 

Held on 20th January 2018

Apologies were given for those who couldn’t attend.

The minutes of the previous A.G.M. were read and approved.
Gill Johnson and Louise Hill gave an update on current information about the proposed amalgamation of
the Museum, Library and Archives.
A brief discussion was held regarding trees in cities.

President’s Report
* The President, Louise Hill, gave us an update on the status of Colin Howes’ old office at the museum. She
informed the group that Dorothy Bramley’s framed pictures are to be photographed with the intension of
creating a library from which members can borrow pictures to display at home for an extended period of
time. The collection is at the moment being housed in the room which Doncaster Naturalists are sorting
out (ie Colin’s old room)
* She pointed out that there is still no formal agreement between the Museum and DNS as to the retention
of D.N.S. material.
* Louise mentioned the status of the South Yorkshire Botany group and Rotherham Naturalists indicating
that both were struggling with numbers, so much so that Rotherham Naturalists have given all their funds
to a local group. There was a suggestion that we might contact them with the possibility of joining up.
* Louise mentioned some of the meetings of other groups she attended during the year and listed the sites
Doncaster Naturalists have visited during 2017 .
*The group is now a member of Nottingham Wildlife Trust following a talk at the Museum by Mark Speck
their Northern Conservation Officer.
*Possible Field Meetings for Summer 2018 were discussed . If anyone has ideas please contact
Joyce Simmons.
Other Matters
* It was noted that indoor meetings, both at the Museum and at Parklands, were well attended but there
was some concern over the number of members attending field meetings. The Secretary, Margaret Prior,
suggested putting copies of the program in the library and museum.
* The President thanked members for their support during the year.

Secretary’s report
The Secretary, Margaret Prior, reminded us that if we wish to attend any of the talks scheduled at the Idle
Valley (managed by the Notts Wildlife Trust) we should consult their website.
YNU publications are available from her for members to read.

Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer, Nora Boyle, indicated that our bank balance of £3249.03 is slightly up on last year. Income of
£323 was slightly more than the expenditure of £307.39. With a healthy bank balance there is no need to
raise the subscriptions so a full subscription remains at £7. Bessie Chapman our only Associate member is
given life time membership in recognition of the fact that she has been a member for 81 years, ever since
she was 15!
Nora suggested that we use some of the funds on specific projects which could include promoting the
Society.
Maurice Whitta had previously suggested we might look into installing bat boxes under the bridge at
Lakeside and possibly planting around the lake to provide spaces for nesting birds. This is a suggestion we
need to come back to.

Recorder’s Report
Pip Seccombe gave an update on the health of our oldest member, Bessie Chapman, who had a fall after
xmas after a light stroke. She is recovering well and has had plenty of of visitors.
Pip reported plenty of fritillaries flowering at Owston Meadows in 2017. However she felt that the management
of the site wasn’t very good in that the fields hadn’t been mown and sheep had been introduced .
They were responsible for encroachment of vegetation. She reminded the membership that since she isn’t
able to go out on meetings as often as in previous years she is dependant on records sent to her by
others. Thanks were given to Glenys Wall for the posters which she had produced to publicise meetings.
They are displayed at the Museum, the library and the Tourist Centre.

Election of Officers
The President, Louise Hill indicated that she should step down because she has held the position for many
years. However, in the absence of anyone willing to stand for election, she agreed to remain. All the
committee members agreed to stand again and they were re-elected en bloc.

Any Other Business
Gill Johnson told the group about a theatre performance by David Bramwell at Cast on March 16th entitled
“Dead Flows the Don” of Sheffield University. It its a monologue combining music, art and origins film about
the course of the River Don from its source in the Pennines downstream to Doncaster
Mick Townsend informed us that he is writing an article about Thorpe Marsh to be published in Barnby Dun magazine.

Field Reports were recorded.

The meeting ended at 12.08pm

Additional information: As of Feb 28th there are still some tickets left for the performance at Cast. Tickets are £12 and the performance starts at 7.45 pm.
For more info on the proposed Museum , Library and Archives Amalgamation see article online from Doncaster Free Press or go to the meeting on March 16th at the Museum.