The redevelopment of "South Llanelli" continues apace. The habitat losses of the last few years seem now to be mitigated to some extent by the creation of a completely new pond at Penrhyn¬gwyn. This is already becoming colonised by elements of the flora and fauna which make this area unique in the county. The Borough planners are, on the whole, sympathetic to the needs of these fragile ecosystems and have promised to safeguard them from the damage that could be brought by the major upheavals occurring alongside. The Countryside Council for Wales has also recently notified the Machynys Ponds and their immediate surrounds as a Site of Special Scientific Interest on both floral and faunal criteria which should afford them some degree of additional protection. The shingle spit of Penrhyngwyn and the adjoining saltmarsh have long been recognised for their floral interest and the Burry Inlet itself for its ornithological importance having attracted several conservation designations ranging from SSSI to proposed RAMSAR site. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre, of course, is continually and successfully striving to enhance the bird status of the area. Too bad then when a supposedly environmentally conscious industrial body lobbies successfully to cause the destruction of yet more of the increasingly valuable remnant areas of reed-bed which were formerly widespread along the north shore of the Inlet. Even in these difficult economic times, is the needless eradication of irreplaceable wildlife habitat still justified? Will our descendants view this generation in the same light as many of us regard Victorian industrialists for leaving an inheritance of despoilation and dereliction? Or, arguably even worse, a bland and uninteresting landscape of "reclaimed" wasteland.
May I wish, on your behalf, Tony Richardson, formerly curator of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Penclacwydd, every success in his new post as Chief of Bird Breeding at Slimbridge. And may I welcome Dr. Geoff Proffitt to Llanelli in his place and wish him a long and rewarding stay of office.
May I also wish Ian Watt a speedy and complete recovery from his recent stroke. Ian is the leading force behind the acquisition and management of Dinefwr Castle Woods, Llandeilo for the Dyfed Wildlife Trust and as many of you will remember, has attended Nats meetings when Castle Woods has been the subject of discussion, usually dressed in full regalia as befits his native Scotland.
Please let me remind you that annual subscriptions are now due and for those of you who have not yet paid please do so forthwith to the Society's Hon. Treasurer, Mrs. Diana Hopkins. Subscriptions will increase from the date of the AGM (if ratified) to: Ordinary Member £3.00; Family £4.50; OAP & Student £2.00 and Junior f1.00. These new rates will now include the cost of Newsletter postage/distribution. Please make cheques payable to "Llanelli Naturalists" and not to the Treasurer.
It remains for me to wish you all (rather belatedly!) a very happy new year. I hope that 1993 brings all you wish of it and I look forward to seeing you at one or more of the venues listed in the programme inside the back cover.
