Firstly let me congratulate the editor of this Newsletter, Ian Morgan and his wife Karen on the arrival, on 26th June. of their son, Thomas Lloyd. All three are doing well!
May I also thank all of you who have sent condolences to me on the sad loss at the beginning of June, of my daughter Rachel, aged 14, due to cancer. Having fought the illness since October, and having to endure intensive treatment, she was determined to rebuild her life. But her lungs became infected and after seeing her suffer in the last few weeks, the end was a merciful release.
I must apologise for the lateness of this Newsletter, due to many circumstances, not least those mentioned above. This has resulted in Neil Matthew's meeting at Llandeilo, as mentioned in his article on the Otter, not being advertised in time. However, Neil is very enthusiastic to encourage anyone interested in Otter conservation and asks for them to contact him (0558-822349). It would appear that Otters are making a strong come-back on our local rivers and surveys carried out by Otter Pruett Wales (sponsored by both the National Rivers Authority and British Coal Opencast) have proved their presence on both Gwendraeth's, Lash, Amman, Tywi, Sawdde and Twrch. In addition spraint and runs were observeo by the Witchett Pill on Laugharne Burrows at the MoD Range Conservation Group Meeting only last week.
The cover illustration and that accompanying Julian Friese s article are from Thomas Bewick's publication of 1804. We have been very fortunate as, over the years, Malcolm Lewis, a Llanelli "expat", now living in Finchley, has provided many bird drawings, Ian Morgan is able to turn his hand to the occasional topical illustration and several others have obliged from time to time. We are very concious of copyright and are equally desirous not to infringe it. We are often, therefore, "scratching" for suitable illustrative material and must generally content ourselves with plates from antiquarian books, such as Bewick's, although they may not be ideal. I ask you to bear our needs in mind if you posess such publications or indeed, and far more preferable, if you are able to produce suitable drawings specifically for the Newsletter. Due acknowledgement will always be given.
As usual, may I remind all members who have yet to pay their annual subscriptions to forward their dues without delay to the Hon. Treasurer, Mrs.D.Hopkins. Current rates are: Ordinary: £2.00; Family: £3.50; OAP & Student: £1.00; Junior: £0.75. On 1st January 1993 these amounts will rise to: Ordinary: £3.00; Family: £4.50: OAP & Student: £2.00; Junior: £1.00. These increases will now include the cost of distributing the Newsletter, contribution to which has until now peen at the discretion of individual members. The Committee has proposed that, because of the ever expanding size of the Newsletter, only fully paid-up members will be eligible to receive it. In future only the cover page, including the programme, will be sent to those late with their payment. So if you have only received the abbreviated version, please attend to your arrears immediately and you can expect to receive the full publication next time.
Again may I apologise for the late arrival of this issue but I hope that the remainder of the field season will be fruitful and I look forward to seeing you at one or more of the venues outlined in the meetings programme printed on the back cover.
