OUT & ABOUT WITH WILDLIFE PROGRAMME
In line with government instructions our programme the end of May has been cancelled, and at this point in time it seems unlikely that activities scheduled for June will go ahead.
SUSPENDED – RESERVE WORK PARTIES – until further notice, for most groups. Check with organiser.
SUSPENDED – RUSHCLIFFE WATCH GROUP until further notice.
South Notts Local Group`s regular Winter Wildlife Talks programme is on hold, as it does not appear to be viable under a social distancing regime. But we are delighted to invite you to a FREE online trial of a talk, using Zoom. You will be able to join our expert speaker NEIL GLENN from the comfort of his own home with a slide talk entitled …..
VALLEY PARADE: The birds and wildlife of the Lower Rio Grande Valley – We might not be able to visit them during travel restrictions, but Neil will help us enjoy the sights and sounds of some of our beautiful avian creatures from our own homes.
The talk is scheduled for Thursday 30th July with logging on from 7.15 pm, and starting at 7.30pm will last about 60 minutes + breaks for questions. SNG hope you can join us for our experiment, but you will need to reserve an access slot in advance as numbers are limited. So to book a slot please follow this link https://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/events/2020-07-30-valley-parade-birds-and-wildlife-lower-rio-grande-valley and you will be sent the access permissions by E Mail.
This is a FREE event because we are experimenting with delivering talks in a new way and it would help us enormously if you would provide feedback via a short survey that we will email to you afterwards. Subject to your feedback, our plan is to organise an online Winter Wildlife Talks Programme and there will be a small charge to access these sessions. This will help us replace some of the vital fundraising activities we usually run to support Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust in its work standing up for Wildlife in Rushcliffe and wider Nottinghamshire.
Of course some of you may not have used ZOOM before. For our talks the minimum requirement to see & hear the slide talk is either a PC/Laptop or Tablet with an internet connection and audio. A video cam is not essential for this event and if the E Mail containing the access link is on the same device, you do not need to install ZOOM software. For more details follow this link Guidance Notes ZOOM – Participant
So, grab a mug of coffee (or something stronger) and settle down for a relaxing evening with Neil, the South Notts Local Group and the Birds of the Rio Grande Valley.
AGM 2019/20 run via Survey Monkey
between 1st May and 17th May 2020
As the conventional face to face AGM was not practical under current social distancing conditions, the South Notts Local Group opted to experiment running the AGM via Survey Monkey. A total of 17 people participated, whilist not brilliant, it is not much less than in conventional AGM`s. The Survey Monkey “meeting” was asked to ratify or otherwise the following set of documents
South Notts Local Group Minutes of 2018/19 AGM Ratified = 12 Abstentions = 5
South Notts Local Group 2019-20 Chairs Report Ratified = 16 Abstentions = 1
South Notts Local Group 2019-20 Accounts Ratified = 15 Abstentions = 2
South Notts Local Group 2020-21 S Committee List Ratified = 16 Abstentions = 1
The following comments were made (responses in BOLD)
Can we ask members whether they have any views on fund raising activities. One member has been ‘selling’ plants destined for the Spring Fair at her gate asking for donations. – Indeed one member in the absence of the Spring Fair one member has raised circa £75 selling plants at the end of her drive for donations and I believe at least one other member was planning to do similar. The idea has been mentioned to other Spring Fair plant growers. It has also been suggested we try an run an Autumn “Spring” Fair and practicality of this will be considered at the next Local Group Committee Meeting GD
We had a Silent Auction many years ago which raised a considerable sum (can we find out how much from financial records?). Such an event would have to be organised at least a year ahead and involves a lot of work and the problem of storage of auction items could rule it out. However, it might be worth considering because it has the potential to raise a substantial sum. – this idea will be considered at the next SNG committee meeting GD
What about online quizzes or activity packs that could be downloaded for a donation. I’m sure some parents would welcome activities to keep their children busy and stimulated during the lockdown. – again this idea will be raised at the next SNG committee meeting. But it will also be raised with the Local WATCH Group and also ask if the central Notts Wildlife Trust are looking at anything like this. GD
Update on Social Distancing – SNG is actively considering at how to continue activities in an environment where social distancing is likely to be around for a significant period of time, at least six months and very likely more. We are moving to committee meetings via ZOOM and will be considering what we might be able to do about walks & talks, fund raising etc in a challenging environment.
Any questions/views contact gordon.dyne@gmail.com or 0115 8784842
30 Days Wild has arrived for 2020!
Can you do one wild thing a day throughout the whole of June? We believe you can!
Join thousands of people taking part in our annual nature challenge, 30 Days Wild!
Do it for your health, wellbeing, wildlife and the planet!
Sign up for your free digital pack now and start planning your random acts of wildness for each day in June.
There are packs for individuals and families, care homes, schools and businesses…even if working from home, so please share as the more the merrier to let nature into everyones lives.
More information online here: www.
The Rushcliffe Country Park have released their winter & spring programme of activities for children between 8 and 13. Follow this link for full details Wildlife Watch programme Winter to Spring 2020.5
This event did not get listed in the Trust Whats On, but will be happening on Sun 26th April from 10 till 3 with a guided walk at 11am, children’s activities and info about woodland history. A great chance to visit an ancient woodland with the spring wildflowers in bloom – not only bluebells but the white of greater stichwort and yellows of the lesser cellandine
Car park on the left on the A60 climbing up out of Bunny village. Chris Terrell-Nield (0115 9374906).
By the way the full summer Wildlife Walks programme for Rushcliffe is now available in the Diary section.
Our third annual pub quiz at the Poppy and Pint in Ladybay was the best ever. All the tables were taken (we could have filled more) and a good night was had by all. There were a few “stinkers” in the questions, which the quiz master claims are to separate the winning team from the rest, but others of us suspect it is just to see the confused looks on our faces ! All I will say is “Floating in the air” and Aled Jones. The winning team was only one point ahead and second place had to go to a tie break.
Besides a fun night, our object was to raise funds for NWT and this we also did making a total of £470. This is all “free” cash thanks to support from the Poppy & Pint in particular, but also Notts County FC, Notts County Cricket Club, West Bridgford ASDA, Clifton Morrisons + individual donations and of course the hard work of our quiz master Neil Glenn and all the South Notts LG “elves” who took money, sold raffle tickets and generally organized stuff etc etc.
Back again for a third year, come along for a fun evening of general knowledge quizzing and also help raise funds for the work of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Once again we are being generously hosted by the Poppy & Pint at Pierrepont Rd, Lady Bay, West Bridgford NG2 5DX on Sunday 2nd Feb (7pm for a 7.30pm start). As in previous years teams are a maximum of 4 persons per table with an entrance charge of £3.50 per head. Tables are limited so book in advance to avoid disappointment, by contacting Gordon Dyne on gordon.dyne@gmail.com or 0115 8784842.
South Notts Local Group (NWT) wish to acknowledge the support of Poppy & Pint (Castle Rock Brewery), ASDA, Nottingham Cricket Club and Notts County FC.
It may come as a surprise for some to know that despite being cared for by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for almost six decades, Attenborough Nature Reserve still belongs to aggregates company CEMEX UK.
Following intensive negotiations with the company NWT have secured an opportunity to buy the reserve. So, with the backing of the general public, funders and our corporate members to name but a few, we need to raise £1 million to safeguard its future for people and wildlife. As at the start of December some £60,000 has been donated and NWT has a grant application to the Landfill Communities Fund for £750,000 and expect to hear about this shortly.
This is why NWT have launched the Attenborough Nature Reserve Lifeline Appeal, backed by none other than Sir David Attenborough himself. Follow this link for more information and how to donate – https://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/lifelineappeal
This link Wildlife Watch programme Autumn 2019.pub is for the Rushcliffe Country Park Wildlife WATCH autumn programme for children between 8 and 13 who are interested in all things wildlify.