248
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
The Geology Group held a successful three-day meeting at
Lymington, Hants, during the Whitsun holiday, while the Mammal
Group held a conservation week-end at Fingringhoe Wick during
the same holiday.
The Botany Group's meetings were varied and well attended.
While at present no Ornithological Group exists, large
attendances were reported at meetings organised by Mr Parker
for bird watching.
Deer Survey
During the year the Deer Survey which had been carried out
under a grant from the Natural Environmental Research Coun-
cil by Mr R. Chaplin and Mr D. I. Chapman was concluded. No
further grant has been applied for by the Club, but it is under-
stood that each of the parties have received grants to enable them
to continue with research in this field.
Planning
During the year the Council gave its mandate to the forma-
tion of a Committee to investigate the present state of the Club
and to make recommendations as to future developments. As
members will be aware questionnaires were sent to all members.
The forms covered the whole range of Club activities and were
designed to enlighten the Committee as to what the members
really wanted. Nearly half were returned completed and are now
being studied by the Committee. It is hoped to present a report
to the Council of the Club during the Spring of 1969.
The Council feel that generally 1968 was a satisfactory year
from the Club's point of view and thank the members and their
friends who helped to make it so.
Annual Report of the Geology Group,
1968
The increase in membership forecast in the last Annual Report
materialised, and the present strength of the Group comprises
about 121/2% of the Club's membership. We hope that this trend
will continue.
The only change that was made to the management of the
Group was the election of Mr P. Allen to the Committee. This
change was brought about by Mr I. Hunter moving from the
district.
The Officers and Committee wish to extend their thanks to
all those who arranged and led field trips, and to those who
provided car transport, for without their co-operation certain of
these trips would not have been possible.