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Harrogate & District Naturalists' SocietyAffiliated to: The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; The British Trust for Ornithology; The Botanical Society of the British Isles; The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Ltd.; The Yorkshire Naturalists' Union. Registered Charity No. 503860 |
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around Harrogate and Nidderdale |
| The Society | The Society was formed in 1947 as the Harrogate & District Naturalist & Scientific Society, the present title being adopted in 1958. Its aim is to promote the study and enjoyment of wildlife in all its forms and to disseminate the knowledge of natural history. The Society takes an active and practical interest in the conservation of wildlife resources and supports efforts to safeguard the natural diversity of species. |
| Society Activities |  Between
October and March, a programme of illustrated lectures,
covering countryside and world-wide aspects of natural history, is arranged
at intervals of two weeks. These meetings are held on Wednesdays at 7.45pm
in the St. Roberts Centre, 2/3 Robert Street, Harrogate. The programme
of meetings is sent out to members in September.
To meet the primary function of accurate recording and presentation of studies, the Society has groups with particular interests in the major natural orders, e.g.. Ornithology, Botany, Zoology, Entomology and other Invertebrates and Mycology. Each Group has a Recorder for the collation and verification of records, and a Group Leader who arranges field meetings and excursions to a varied selection of habitats, mainly within the Society's study area of some 900 square kilometres, having the River Nidd as its spine. Field meetings encourage the
pursuit of special subject interests, provide learning opportunities, relate
to the interdependence of species and are open to all members. Ongoing
group activities are featured at the indoor meetings. These activities
include taking part in projects proposed by the county and national bodies
to which the Society is affiliated, or by other scientific researchers.
These include, for example, national Wildfowl counts, BTO surveys (including
the Ringing Scheme for qualified members), recording schemes on the distribution
of insects, amphibians, reptiles and mammals and also various botanical
surveys and mapping projects. The Society records the status of many forms
of wildlife against which can be measured the changes taking place in the
natural environment.
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| Junior Section |  Junior
members (up to age of 18) have their own programme designed by experienced
leaders. Interested parents often participate in these learning opportunities
and must accompany children under 8. Most Junior meetings are held in the
open at sites chosen to cover a wide range of wildlife interests. A small
nature reserve at Bishop Thornton has been made available to the Society
for use by Junior members. For more information go to our Junior
Section |
| Membership | All those, including children,
interested in natural
history are eligible for membership. The business
of the Society is conducted by the Council of six elected members and the
honorary officers. Applications for membership are provisionally accepted by the Membership Secretary, Valerie Smith val.smith1@talktalk.net the final decision being made by Council. The Society maintains a birdwatching hide at a private wildlife site at Farnham Gravel Pits. Details of conditions of use and the availability of keys for both the site and the hide, for which a deposit is payable, may be had from the General Secretary Patricia Cook (01423) 772953 gensec.hdns@talktalk.net |
| Subscriptions | Single adult member: £15
per year
Junior members (under 18): £3 per year Family Membership (Includes adult membership and all Juniors): £25 per year Visitors fee: £2 per event Children entered under Family
membership automatically become members of the Junior section.
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| Reports and Publications |  All
members receive an Annual Report, which details the work of the Society
and presents the year's most interesting records.
A Bird Report, currently £4, is offered for sale to members. A newsletter on topics of current and future concerns is issued in Spring and Autumn, together with the programmes of meetings. A NEW BOOK, Birds of the Harrogate District by our current Ornithological Recorder, John R.Mather, is now available (£7.50 (+p&p) to members). This definitive reference on the avifauna of the district deals with all the 288 species recorded in the Society's area since the 18th Century and includes a wealth of detail for each. HDNS car stickers are available - these, together with the above book, can all be purchased at evening meetings or by contacting the General Secretary. |
| Gift Aid | The Deed of Covenant scheme
was replaced by Gift Aid with effect from 6 April 2000. The new scheme
has several benefits:
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| Data Protection Act | In order to assist with the mailing of newsletters and programmes, members' names and addresses are held on a computer database. They will not be passed to others without your prior permission. Individuals who do not want their name and address held on computer should notify the Membership Secretary in writing. |
SPRING
AND SUMMER PROGRAMME 2009 OPEN TO MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS |
We have been fortunate to be offered the following field meetings for the coming summer. As our recorders and others are prepared to give up their time to lead these meetings, we hope that you will support them in good numbers. If you wish to offer a lift to someone for any of the meetings or if you are in need of a lift, please contact Pat Cook (772953 or email), who will endeavour to put the two together. Please note the usual precautions: Stout footwear and suitable outdoor clothing should always be worn. Unless otherwise stated a packed lunch is essential. Members take part entirely at their own risk and are responsible for their personal safety and the security of their belongings. Saturday, 23 May, 1.30 pm Visit to Studfold
Community Nature Project Sunday, 7 June, 10.45 am start Sulber Nick
Nature Reserve Sunday, 5 July, 10.30 am start Ellington
Banks Sunday, 19 July,10 am start Farnham
Members' Day Sunday, 2 August, 2 pm
start Almsford Bank Sunday, 6 September, 10am start Nosterfield
Nature Reserve Sunday, 20 September, 9 am Birdwatching
at Teesmouth
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ENTOMOLOGY FIELD MEETINGS Although there are currently no pre-planned general entomology field meetings on the 2009 programme, group leader Robert Marshall is happy to try to arrange one or two to suitable locations at convenient times, if there is sufficient support. Contact Robert with your ideas/comments if you are interested. Just expressing an interest will not, of course, commit you to attending! Details of any meetings arranged will be posted on the Forum and will be circulated via the field meeting ‘Information Hotline’ to anyone who has expressed an interest.tel 504186 email:– hdns.wildwatch@btinternet.com FAMILY WILDLIFE EVENTS 2009 Some areas of the Wildlife Trusts have recently received Lottery funding to support Family Learning through Wildlife Watch. Family Learning is about learning things together alongside other family members. The excitement of events such as bug hunts, etc., can lead naturally to further discoveries in books or on the Internet. The aim is that “families should use the natural environment and the ‘outdoor classroom’ as a way of strengthening the family unit through more shared positive experiences and memories.”Although not directly involved with this funding, Wildlife Watch leaders Robert and Teresa Marshall have, for many years, been championing the cause of families learning about the natural world together. This work continues with the events below. The following public events will feature Harrogate Naturalists' Wildlife Watch activities suitable for families: Sunday 24 & Sunday 31 May, 11.00 am - 4.00 pm,Garden Minibeast Hunt (drop-in activity) atRHS Garden Harlow Carr, as part of Wildlife in the Garden,a fun packed week of themed displays, activities, craft workshops, quizzes, walks and more for all the family to enjoy. Dress up as your favourite wildlife creature on May 31st if you wish! Normal garden admission applies. For information on other Harlow Carr family events see: http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/Gardens/harlowcarr/pdf/FamilyEvents2009.pdf Sunday 28 June Mini Beast Hunt, 2.00
pm – 4.00 pm THE WINTER PROGRAMME 2009-2010
All meetings are held in St. Robert’s Centre, Robert Street, Harrogate (opposite Waitrose), starting at 7.30 pm (please note changed starting time). Parking is either on the adjacent streets or, with their kind permission, in the Waitrose car park. VISITORS WELCOME TO ALL WINTER MEETINGS 7 October 2009 21 October 2009 4 November 2009 18 November 2009 2 December 2009 6 January 2010 20 January 2010 3 February 2010 17 February 2010 3 March 2010 17 March 2010 21 April 2010 |
For further information: General Secretary Patricia Cook (01423) 772953 gensec.hdns@talktalk.net
