Indoor lectures 2023-24
Arnside and District Natural History Society. Winter indoor lectures 2023-24
Indoor lectures at Arnside WI and Village Hall, Orchard Road, Arnside
Lectures start at 7.30pm, doors open 7.00pm unless stated
2023
Orchids of the AONB & update on the work of the National Trust in the Arnside and Silverdale area - Thursday 14th September
Craig McCoy, National Trust Ranger, will give this first talk of our winter series. Craig has a wealth of knowledge about the orchids of the AONB and we look forward to hearing about the work of the National Trust.
Recent habitat management developments at Leighton Moss and Warton Mires - Thursday 12th October changed due to illness David Talbot will present a lecture on New Zealand.
Richard Miller, warden RSPB Leighton Moss, will provide us with an enlightening talk about the recent work undertaken to enhance the habitats of the Leighton Moss. Richard will also be able to give an update on the habitat developments at Warton Mires.
Dragonflies and damselflies within AONB and locality - Thursday 9th November
Ian Brodie will give us an informed talk about the dragonflies and damselflies who inhabit the local area.
Jacob’s Join - Thursday 14th December 7.00pm doors open 6.30pm
The doors will open at 6.30pm to allow time for you to set up your food to share. We will start the event at 7.00pm. It will be a chance for you to catch up with friends old and new. Mulled wine will be available for a donation to cover costs.
We have two short talks starting at 8.00pm:
- Some notable bird migrations into and out of the AONB – Paul Trowell
- Residential trip to the Chilterns May 2023. Chris Winnick organised a Society trip to Chilterns which included a series of talks and walks. Chris will summarise with an interesting photographic powerpoint presentation.
2024
The wildlife and landscapes of Argentina and Antarctica - Thursday 11th January
Pete Stevens will share his experience and photographs of his recent trip to Argentina and Antarctica. Pete has travelled extensively and has undertaken many walks and talks for the Society. His photographs encapsulate the reality of the regions he visits. Pete will briefly cover the history of the area and also provide us with an insight into the marine life, mammals and birds in this part of the southern hemisphere.
Getting to net-zero through better soil health - Thursday 8th February
Professor John Quinton of Lancaster University will give a talk on the role that soils play in storing carbon and how this is linked to soil health. John is passionate about soil, the ‘brown gold’ that underpins our survival, but which most people take for granted.
He has spent the last 30 years working on soil erosion processes that degrade soil functions, soil monitoring, how we can protect and restore soils.
Beekeeping at a local primary school – a success story - Thursday 14th March
Andy Brown will give a talk about how to successfully engage young children with the natural world. By his endeavours to encourage beekeeping in primary schools, Crosthwaite C of E Primary School now has a very active Bee Club for the Years 4 to 6. To Andy’s knowledge, there are no other active primary school bee clubs in the North West. Come and listen and be inspired.
Arnside and District AGM Thursday 11th April
The AGM will be followed by three short presentations:
Roger Spooner Flora of the area
Gail Armstrong Mammals in the landscape
Julia Piggott The threat from Asian hornets