At our meeting on 26^th February our guest speaker was a Brown Owl who had helped run a Brownie Pack in Guildford for many years.   Jean had officially retired but as is the case with all voluntary work found herself still 'filling in' quite a lot.   We enjoyed a very interesting talk,  that brought many memories to most of us. Jean told us how she kept the girls interested and occupied and every so often they enjoyed a night's 'camping'. As a special treat on a social occasion Rod Hull (of Emu fame) entertained them although the naughty Emu did not come, only a Deer! Coping with homesickness and other minor mishaps on days and nights spent camping it was obvious that Jean really loved her Brownie days and her audience gave her a well-deserved round of applause.

After the usual notices our Chairman Madge told us she had arranged a day's outing to Bognor on May 7^th and hoped a good many members would be interested to come along. At our next Meeting, on 26^th March there would be a talk on India. After our usual fine tea the raffle ended what had been a most enjoyable afternoon.

Spring has sprung, the grass is riz. And for the first time in decades it will be munched on by cattle. An exciting opportunity has arisen at Thursley National Nature Reserve. In partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust we are going to graze a relatively small area of Thursley and Ockley Commons, about 6 hectares initially. This has come about from a change in the Commons act, from late 2007 the legislation now has exemptions in it, these allow for small areas of registered common to be temporally fenced for conservation grazing for up to 6 months of the year.

We will be using up to 6 Belted Galloway cattle, which are owned by the Wildlife Trust to try and reduce the amount of encroaching purple moor (Molinia)  grasses on the site. This will give the more delicate plants the chance to grow without be chocked out by the grasses. Initially we will, put up the tempory electric fencing to the East of the reserve, near the Bronze age tumuli area, but the cattle will not be on site until mid April. A notice will be displayed in accordance with regulations, a copy of which has also been sent to the secretary of state. 

As with all stock, we will of course be checking them daily to ensure their welfare, if anyone is interested in becoming involved with this then please do get in touch, I will, along with the wildlife trust's stockman hold a training day if there is any interest, this would also be an opportunity for locals to meet and greet our new staff members and ask any questions or raise concerns, again please get in touch, I have no fixed date as yet.

Next, I would like to extend my warm thanks for the good folk who once again turned out to help me with some conservation scrub management on March 1^st. 11 people from Thursley, Elstead and beyond once again gave up a valuable part of their weekend, everyone had a great day, and we even made front page of the Surrey Advertiser, (much to Bryony's embarrassment I imagine). I intend to hold another day on Sunday April 5^th, by popular demand, please see separate ad in the magazine (opposite).

And finally, it's that time of year when I ask that dogs be kept on leads. We are now into nesting season and that makes our ground nesting birds extremely vulnerable to dogs running loose. This year it will be even more important with cattle on the reserve.

Next month, I will talk more about the wildlife returning to the Common, and what can be seen in early summer.

For those who are interested  in the commons legislation, this web address will take you there.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20072587_en_1  Further address details opposite