All meetings will be held at the Lifelong Learning Centre at Shapwick NNR Visitor Centre, Shapwick Road, Westhay BA6 9TT (ST425414)

Saturday 28th January 2012

Annual Members Meeting and AGM

Our annual opportunity for displays, photos, chat and a ‘bring & share’ buffet lunch. Bring plants & books for sale or swap. We will also have a botanical quiz and the usual crazy raffle, (so bring some nice things to contribute to that). Meet at 10.30am for coffee and chat before the short AGM at 11.30am. Finish by 4pm.

Saturday 18th February 2012

Members Slide and Talk Meeting. This is an opportunity to let other members know about particular projects that you are involved with, or to share plants & places slides. Book a 10-15 minute slot, so that we can have a good variety of talks. Priority will be given to items relating to Somerset, but foreign plants and places are also of interest, so do come forward and reserve a slot with Liz. Simon Leach has offered to talk on phenology – First Flowerings 2011. There is a digital projector at the centre, or you can show slides too, just let me know what you need. There will also be an opportunity to hear from Helena about progress with the Somerset Rare Plants Register and forthcoming targets. Meet at 10.30am for coffee and chat before 11am start. Finish by 4pm. Bring a packed lunch.

Saturday 17th March 2012

Winter/Early Spring Plants Identification Workshop

Bring lenses and id books for an informal workshop for identification of plants that can be recorded in the winter and early Spring. We will be working from leaves and twigs with the help of John Poland’s The Vegetative Key to the British Flora. Come at 10.30am for coffee and a chat before the workshop at 11am.  Fresh specimens for identification will be provided, but bring any samples that you are particularly interested in. A binocular microscope will be available. Finish by 4pm. Bring a packed lunch.

Summer Field Meetings 2012

Next summer’s programme is currently being planned. We welcome new leaders for our field meetings, especially in areas where the SRPG is under-recorded. You don’t need to be able to identify all the plants, but knowledge of the area and a good interesting botanical route is important. Let me know where you would like to lead the group, what plants we can see and what time of year would be suitable.

Liz McDonnell

The Eternal Search continues: Kingston St Mary 2011