AT the September meeting, the chairman first alerted us to the closing of the Greig Centre at the end of the month. This means we shall have to find an alternative venue at least for the next few meetings.

The problem has been solved by hard work of the committee, and the next meeting will at the Alcester Members Club in Crooks Lane (better known by older members as the Trades and Labour Club,) where we were assured there was sufficient car parking. As there is no service staff, some chair moving will be required from volunteer members.

The collection of ‘unused’ foreign currency at the last meeting had raised £25 for charity.

The new folk dance group is set to start dancing on Tuesday, October 13.

The speaker for the afternoon was billed as Mr John Tilt on ‘Grafton Wood’. To those of us ignorant of either name, this rather bland title did nothing to prepare us for the enthralling 40 minutes that was to follow.

What we had the privilege to hear was not just the history of ownership and usage of this area of woodland, from as far back as the year 972, but this was followed by a description of its conversion into a nature reserve and some of the problems with its subsequent management.

We were held in a rapture of attention by a fascinating and detailed description of the wildlife in the reserve, and the complicated interdependence of so many of its organisms.

The whole talk was illustrated by both still and cine photography to a standard only matched by the BBC wildlife service.

His depth of knowledge of the habits and lifestyle of flora and fauna in the reserve was as awe-inspiring as it was informative, but most particularly that of the butterflies.

Many converts to the study and conservation of butterflies were immediately enthused as was demonstrated by the rush to buy guide books at the conclusion of his talk.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 4, in the Alcester Members Club at 2.30pm, the speaker being Mr Richard Eggington on ‘the North American Civil War’.