Natural History – March 2023

In an email to group members I announced the resumption of work in St Gregory’s churchyard from March onwards. Last Wednesday it was only Tony, working in his ‘allotment’, and myself. I had obtained, free of charge, 13 packets of flower seeds, close to or just past their “Use By” date. I gave Tony two packets and I cultivated one grave and sowed it with Lavatera. Today I was on my own and cultivated a second grave and sowed it with both Lavatera and Rudbeckia. It was hard spade work, but conditions were perfect and the soil friable. I also replaced one destroyed plot marker (No.9) with new. There is as yet no sign of Yellow Rattle.

I have previously asked for someone else to be Convenor of this group; but there has been no response. I’m indebted to Tony for his work in one corner of the churchyard; and also deeply indebted to Dave Hutton for his help, encouragement and advice. Dave, as a Wildlife Warden, is heavily committed to so many other organisations that it would be unrealistic to expect him to take on convening the group. However, I regret to say that on account of increasing deafness and lack of mobility, I shall not be renewing my u3a membership in April; and the meeting on 15th March will be the last meeting of the Natural History Group, unless a new convenor can be found.

Whether or not the D&D u3a Natural History Group remains viable, I shall endeavour to continue every Wednesday and Friday from 9.30 in the churchyard, just as long as health and weather permit. I do not believe the level of support in the churchyard justifies assuring Teignbridge District Council (TDC) that D&D u3a will undertake maintenance work, in return for TDC foregoing drastic strimming that is so contrary to biodiversity.

George Lipscomb, Convenor