Notes from the Editor

Editorial

by Richard Stewart

This can be summarised in one word: thankyou. First, to all who agreed to cover the remaining under-recorded tetrads for the last year of the Millennium Survey. Thanks to some dedicated and persistent searching, often in difficult circumstances, every one now has at least five species-the Gatekeeper is now up to a plus compared to the last survey and many records have been added for Wall Brown. Second, to all the recorders who monitored the threatened White-letter Hairstreak site at Bixley, especially Steve Goddard and Jean and Ken Garrod, who made many visits at different times of the day. I now have a substantial list of records to present to Anglian Water, Chaters the builders, SCDC and James Baker of the Greenways Project before the next site meeting is held. Third to Allan, Beryl and Paul Johnson for organising two weekend trips to other regions this year. Sixteen attended, with ten of us at the same bed and breakfast place: This had, as a bonus, several lakes and a woodland walk. Although the last day had to be cancelled because of bad weather we found all target species on the previous two days. Everyone had superb extended low views of a female Brown Hairstreak and Paul Johnson's relief was obvious, after several frustrating attempts previously. It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to make all the arrangements, and this doesn't end when we have arrived. I calculate that well over thirty members and family have been on these trips and we are all very grateful to the Johnsons. The finding of butterflies not present in Suffolk is obviously the main concern but these outings also feature a high level of friendly banter in good company, with good food, fine accommodation and in areas of great natural beauty. Finally, bur certainly not least, our Chairman James Mann and his wife are soon heading for a new life in France. James took over the demanding position at a time when there was a yawning gap in the committee and he has filled the role with great success. He has chaired meetings with tact, diplomacy, humour and determination and well beyond his public profile at meetings and on outdoor trips there has been a tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work liaising with other organisationsRSPB, English Nature, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, BC staff from the Conservation Office, to name bur a few. His singlehanded photography of butterflies will long be remembered in Suffolk (good results, I hasten to add), and he has single-handed taken on and produced our Branch action plan for butterflies, as part of BC's national scheme. He has been a Main Recorder in the Millennium Survey and for all these reasons, and many more, will be sadly missed. We obviously hope to maintain contact-who knows, in a few years we may have an extended Branch trip to France!

At his last committee meeting James was given a copy of the Collins 'Butterflies of Britain and Europe' (Tolman and Lewington) signed by all of the committee.

To end, unfortunately, on a sadder note-I have just been informed of the death of Sam Beaufoy, a legend in the history of butterfly recording and photography. A full tribute will appear in the next edition.

Indoor Meeting: The committee has decided, just for this year initially, to dispense with the usual Autumn indoor meeting and try an extended AGM, with a guest speaker and meal in the evening (optional) - more details in the next newsletter.

Millennium Survey: A draft booklet of distribution maps will not be issued this year. Instead, anyone wishing to check the accuracy of plotted records for 1999 should contact Richard Stewart by the end of November.

Articles for the Suffolk Argus

If any members have articles for future editions of the Suffolk Argus could they please send them to Paul Gilson at 18, Cheltenham Avenue, Ipswich IP1 4LN. Myself and Richard Stewart will be overseeing the production of the newsletter until a new Editor is found.

Next year's

programme . . . . . . . . ........... .

by Alan Johnson (Programme Secretary)

With the approach of the "dreaded Millennium" it will soon be time to be chinking about the Programme for the year 2000. If any of our Branch Members have ideas or suggestions for future field trips, either within or outside the County, can they please contact me, or any other Committee member, by the end of November.

Changes on the

Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... .

by Paul Gilson (Membership Secretary)

As many of you will already be aware, James Mann is no longer our Chairman and Richard Stewart will be taking over the position until a new Chairman is elected at the 2000 AGM. Richard will also be taking over the responsibility of Conservation Officer for butterflies. We also have a new member on the Committee, Richard Champion from Beck Row near Mildenhall. Richard will be representing our interests along with Richard at the Suffolk Naturalists' Society conference at Ipswich School in late October. We are still short of Committee members and I must urge you to consider whether six people on the Committee is enough to truly represent the interests of the Branch at all its activities and functions. If you are interested in joining the Committee please contact me or Richard Stewart.