OUR new chairman, Jonathan Collins, welcomed everyone to the first meeting of 2015 and hoped the new program of talks and outings would be enjoyed by all.

Our speaker for the evening was Jo Worthy-Jones who is Cheltenham Community Wildlife Officer for the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Jo enthusiastically described the work of the Wildlife Trust and her own job which involves encouraging, informing and supporting people to help preserve wildlife in their area. This includes working with councils, housing associations, schools and other community groups to enhance the environment and reconnect people with nature. Climate change and loss of habitat are putting wildlife under pressure and we should all be concerned, the 550 volunteers who work with the Trust show how anyone can help with this enormous task.

Jo gave us a fascinating insight into the world of bees, about which she is passionate. We learned that bees have smelly feet which leave a trace on flowers to tell other bees whether or not there is any nectar! There are long-tongued bees and short-tongued bees to reach into different flower shapes. There is also a bee called the ‘Hairy-footed Flower Bee’!

The competition winner was Jennifer Collins.

The next meeting is on February 18 and the topic is ‘Growing Alpines in the garden and in pots’, speaker Diane Clement.

SANDRA REED