BCSS Macclesfield & East Cheshire Branch

Newsletter June 2006 - Visit to the Zone 6 Convention

Normally I would not think of travelling all the way to Buckinghamshire for an afternoon out, but in this case it was a real treat. When the BCSS Announce advertised the event near Tring which I promoted at our Branch meeting, I immediately arranged a combined weekend visit to friends who live only 3 miles from the venue. I contacted the organiser, David Wilson, and duly received instructions, ticket and a personal letter which was appreciated.

On the day itself, Sat 22nd April, the doors opened at 12 noon and when I arrived in the attractive little village of Wilstone, the Village Hall car park was already full. The overflow car park was adjacent on the village football field with ample room. For those travelling some distance, it was possible to purchase cups of tea at 30p and sandwiches. The trade stands were already busy. Keith’s Plant Books, Plantlife and Toobees were doing a roaring trade and I did succumb to a small purchase or two!!

I estimated that about 70 people attended and it was great to meet up with David Latham (ex our Branch), Cathy and Bill Darbon, and also meet new contacts. The event started prompt at 1 pm. The first speaker was internationally known John Lavranos on ‘Travels in Namibia’ who also gave another talk later on ‘Socotra’, both excellent travelogues giving a flavour of the areas, succulents and wildlife, including a slide of a geometric tortoise (Christine) and an interesting series of Welwitschias (Chris Hynes). John has a unique sense of humour (as Sybil knows!) and gave his audience much amusement when the projector failed to respond as he wanted.

The other speaker was George Thomson from Lockerbie, Scotland. He had studied insects for his Ph D thesis. He gave a very professional digital presentation on the A-B-C islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) off the coast of Venezuela including some stunning satellite shots from the Google Earth website. This presentation was of much interest to me having visited A and C on a Caribbean cruise some years previously. The islands are known for the Melocacti species and George has completed work on the taxonomic status of the species on Aruba. He was then offered a research grant to undertake similar work on Curacao, so a very fascinating presentation.

Half way through the proceedings we stopped for afternoon tea. I expected tea and biscuits, but was amazed to see a superb buffet laid out in the tea room, which we circulated round (several times!). The day finished around 6 pm, with a little time for last minute purchases and a chat. All in all, a most pleasant afternoon and I was so glad to be a part of it. What great value at just £10.

Incidentally, I was informed later how the Zone 6 system of events works. Zone 6 comprises 8 Branches and the Zone organises 3 events each year: a Convention, a Show and an Open Day. Each event is ‘owned’ by a single Branch and the 8 branches rotate through the events over an 8 year cycle. The Convention I attended was organised by Berkhamstead and District, a small enthusiastic group, and the food was prepared by just 3 people.

Julia Davenport