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NEWSLETTER No. 12 - Winter 1984/85

WEST MIDLANDS BRANCH, BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION

One of the events held as part of the Butterfly Festival was a balloon race. Around 40 balloons were launched and, although only 9 were returned, we were quite amazed to have two sent back from Switzerland and one from France. The remainder only reached southern England, so we must assume that a fair number were lost at sea or remain undiscovered in some far foreign field. The winning balloon reached Vattis near Chur in the Canton St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland, a distance of almost 700 miles, narrowly beating a balloon launched by my daughter, Emma, which reached Ecoteaux near Lucerne. The Payne family from Balsall Common shared a double honour in that Madge's balloon went third furthest and was found in a national park near Strasbourg, while Bob's made the shortest journey of all only making Highworth outside Swindon! Only one prize, alas (a set of butterfly posters) and that goes to Miss V. Tarn, Cornermead, 56 Cashes Green Road, Stroud, Glos. Many congratulations.

Mike Williams

The first year of operation of this function has been fairly successful (and very busy). We are now beginning to build up a stock of attractive sales goods which will be available at the indoor winter meetings.
We have represented the Branch via displays and sales stands at such diverse venues as the Three Counties Show and the Cheltenham Flower Show. In addition to making a contribution to Branch funds, we have, I hope, generated a good deal of interest and a few members. The Cotswold Butterfly Festival, whilst a great organizational effort for several people, was a great success in terms of fund-raising and publicity. Thanks to all those who gave assistance throughout the year.
Over the winter, it is the intention of the Branch to acquire more and better display equipment and material. Whilst displays in conjunction with sales stands were managed last year, we would hope in the future to mount more purely publicity displays in Building Societies, etc., and would welcome a volunteer to take charge of this object. Transport is obviously an essential.

** S A L E S **

Xmas Cards

The branch has a good selection of Xmas cards this year complete with a small sticker explaining that the card has been sold on behalf of the BBCS. They will be on sale at the Branch AGM together with Xmas wrapping paper. One third of the selling price of the cards will be profit for the branch. Xmas cards and other sales goods can also be supplied on a sale or return basis to any member thinking of having a coffee morning/evening. For further details contact Irene Hatton on Bishops Cleeve 3923.

Have you got one of the new branch stickers?

Astound your friends, amaze your neighbours, keep one step ahead of the rest with our new fun sticker featuring the branch symbol and the slogan "Butterfly conservationists do it in long grass". Available price 15p + postage from 45 Delabere Road, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham. The "official" branch sticker price 20p + postage is also available from the same address.

Grandee Butterfly Cards

Colin Marsay writes: "These cards have now been replaced in Grandee cigars and I have complete sets (32 cards) on sale for £1.00 each including postage.
Cheques made payable to BBCS West Midlands branch, and available from Colin Marsay, 36 Mantilla Drive, Coventry CV3 6LQ.
I would like to thank members who have sent me cards, especially D.K. Pingvey of Sutton Coldfield. If any members have any spare cards I shall be pleased to receive them. Booklets for these cards are available free from Grandee "British Butterflies" Album Offer, PO Box 55, John Player and Sons, Nottingham NG7 5QF - just send your name, address and postcode. The butterfly cards are now in Doncelli cigars, please send these too. Grandee's current cards are "Britain's endangered Wildlife" and are excellent photographs of mammals, reptiles, birds, arthropods and insects including three butterflies."

Badges

Look out for the new branch badges designed by Roger Smith and available only at Sales stalls price 25p.

Identification Problems?

One of the shortcomings of many modern field guides is their failure to draw attention to the particular differences which separate similar species. The "blues" are a good case in point with many guides unhelpful to say the least. Still one of the best field guides for my money is the E. Sandars "Butterfly Book for the Pocket" originally produced before the war. The distribution maps are obviously hopelessly outdated but the plates and accompanying text are really excellent and in my opinion yet to be beaten. Although long out of print, the book can still be occasionally picked tip at secondhand bookshops or through specialist catalogues. I currently have a copy of one of the last editions of this book (1955) in very good condition, for sale at £7.50. if anyone is interested please ring Stourport 4860.

Printing and typing of newsletter - Sadly the printing facility offered to us through BBCS London branch has had to be withdrawn, which has meant a large increase in the costs of producing our newsletter. We are very anxious to maintain the standard of reproduction achieved over the last few issues and if any member has access to good quality reprographic equipment at moderate cost, or alternatively knows of a company that may be prepared to sponsor the newsletter in exchange for a free advertisement, please contact the Secretary. We would also be pleased to hear from any member with a typewriter who might be willing to help out with the task of typing.

Slides - The branch's collection of slides continues to grow and we are grateful to those members who have made a special effort to photograph those species listed in the last newsletter. Thanks to Colin Marsay we now have a decent shot of a Small White! Further slides are always welcome, particularly shots of good butterfly habitat (has anyone any photos of branch reserves?), habitat destruction (ploughed up grassland, grubbed out hedgerows, dead elm trees, etc.) and butterflies on garden flowers.

Could you be the person we are looking for?

Another problem as a branch we face is the geographical area we cover. It is very difficult to keep tabs on what is happening in an area stretching from Stroud in the south to Stoke-on-Trent in the north, the Welsh Borders in the west to Rugby in the east. Ultimately, as membership continues to expand, it would make sense for the branch to be split up, but the timing of this would require careful consideration. In the short term, we would like to identify members who would be prepared to act as "eyes and ears"', for the branch at a local level. The kind of specific help we had in mind was a person to pass on relevant press cuttings to the branch Press officer, to liaise with the new Displays officer over possible venues for local displays, and to perhaps act as a local contact for the branch or more generally become a focus for branch activity in a particular area. If you feel you could help, even in just one or two ways, please contact Mike Williams on Stourport 4860.

Sponsorship - The BBCS nationally and also ourselves in the West Midlands are actively looking for company sponsorship for various butterfly projects. If you work for a company who might be interested in sponsorship, either in cash or kind, please contact us.