He started with the winter visitors like the Woodcock, Snow Bunting, spoonbills and waxwings. There are occasional sightings of harbour porpoises and grey seals as well as the common seals that we see around our coast at this time of year.
In the spring the amphibians start to emerge from hibernation and basking adders can often be seen in sunny spots around the park. There are many butterflies and moths emerging too who can be seen all through the summer months.
Dougal explained about the plan to introduce the red squirrel onto Mersea island, as it is one of the few places that do not have grey squirrel who carry the parapox virus that can be fatal to the red squirrel. He also talked about the many prehistoric animal bones that have been found along the coast line and in the mud of Mersea Island. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I think that we could have happily let him speak for much longer, but our wine and nibbles were waiting!
The January meeting is earlier in the month than usual on 8th January, so that we don’t clash with the Peldon Pantomime. The speaker is Simon Gallup, who will talk about ‘The Different Histories of Lavenham and Dedham’, which sounds really interesting. In fact we have a really diverse line-up of speakers for all the meetings in 2013. Our membership list is currently full, but visitors are very welcome at a cost of £3.50.
Details of all our meetings and speakers can be found in the diary on the home page of the Winstred 100 website. If you would like any further information about PAWS, please contact any of the following: Alice Holmes 01206 735510, Jane Banks 01206 735004 or Jane Anderson 01206 735505.
Jane
Well October certainly saw one of our largest turn outs this year when 41 members and 4 visitors came along to see Oggie Weldon demonstrating her Millinery skills. Oggie explained that she changed her career rather late in life, at the tender age of 57, having worked as a secretary previously. Oggie attended an 18 month course and decided to pursue this new career and she certainly demonstrated that she has a talent for this. She explained about the methods involved, the materials used etc. and she had a large display of hats and fascinators which she allowed us to try or buy at the end of the evening. Another most enjoyable night demonstrating the diversity of our speakers.
36 members and 3 visitors attended our June meeting on the 26th, when Mrs Paula Short came along and told us all about “Golden Temple – Amritsar India”. Paula has developed a passion for India and its temples, culture and history since her first visit in 2000 and was able to give us quite an insight into it. She had a fantastic array of slides which she used to highlight her very interesting talk.
At our May meeting on the 22nd, we welcomed back 
PAWS’ February meeting on 28th February was when Ann Hardy was due to reveal the “Secrets of the Royal Jewels”, but unfortunately due to ill-health she had to cancel and we were fortunate to enlist John Knight for the evening who told us about “America’s First Ladies.” 
Our January meeting was on 10th January 2012 (earlier than usual due to the 