Report of the Essex Field Club for 2000-2001
Publications
Three issues of the Newsletter were published during the year and Volume 17 (new series) of the
Essex Naturalist was published in November. Both have been very successful.
The Naturalist received contributions from 18 different authors, indicating a growing support for
our journal. In the Newsletter it was pleasing to see the return of reports (4) relating to the field
meetings, but nearly 40 field meetings were held without any type of report. A single review from a
group of its meetings over the year may be an appropriate and less demanding format for reports.
Three book reviews mark a new departure and were very welcome. The number of sightings and
comments about Essex wildlife increased, a particularly welcome trend as this is central to our
function. Chris Gibson has been running a series on Snapshots From the Past and Figures From the
Club's Past providing interesting insights into the Club's history.
The Naturalist increased from 156 to 206 pages, a clear indication of its growing strength and
success. In particular, the sections dealing with the current situation increased from 25 to 30, giving
a much better picture of the trends and happenings in the natural history of the county.
During the year 'The Bumblebees of Essex' volume by Ted Benton was published by Lopinga
Books, assisted by a grants from the Field Club, Colchester NHS and English Nature. The book is
scholarly and attractively presented. It has been well received and the Field Club is pleased to be
associated with it. Areview will be published shortly. Copies at a discount are available to members.
Collections and library
The Field Club has virtually completed the removal of its collections and library from Newham to
new storage, the main exceptions being some rare books,. We will now be able to concentrate on
discussions with other organisations to set up a new home for the specimens and books.
Membership and finance
Membership is continuing to increase. Over the last year we have risen from a relatively static level
of ca. 215, at the time of the AGM in 2000, to over 250 now. This is a promising trend. We are
getting nearer to the level expected of an important county-wide society.
Financially the Field Club is sound, but on a year to year basis we are not doing as well as we should.
The improved publications are costing more than we receive in subscriptions. Thus we are subsidising
them from interest on our reserves. A very important issue we will have to address is achieving a
better short-term financial regime. An increased membership will be the best way of achieving this
aim. Council urges all members to explore ways of introducing new members to the Field Club.
Besides approaching specific individuals, we can get members by putting our flier in libraries,
information centres, visitors' centres and so on, and then maintaining the stock levels. Anyone who
can assist on a regular basis is asked to contact any member of council.
Future focus
For the immediate future one major task for the Field Club will be contributing to the setting up a
county-wide recording database. This will be very large if it is to be comprehensive, but it is essential
that the records are properly verified and validated.
2
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 18 (2001)