Udimore

Some twenty members of Udimore Wildlife Society gathered for a moth morning last Saturday. Jeremy and Alex Boatwright Smith had very kindly invited us to their home in Peasmarsh for the occasion, curious to find out how the moth population in their essentially woodland habitat differs from moth populations in more open countryside, such as the Brede Valley. Besides Matty’s moth trap, another one had been set up overnight by Heather and Rodney Martin, of Hurstmonceux. As soon as the first trap was opened, we at once noticed a huge difference: far more moths than we’d ever seen before in a single catch. There were many more species too, some eighty altogether, rejoicing in such names as Scalloped Hooktip, Rosie Footman, Birdcherry Ermine and Dusky Brocade. After we’d had a chance to inspect and admire the exquisite patterns of these beautiful insects, they were all returned to the wild. Members have been invited to a barbecue at Court Lodge Farm tomorrow evening (Saturday), when it’s hoped there’ll also be a talk on local bats.

In St Mary’s Church this Sunday there will be a service of Holy Communion at 8am, and the monthly Family Service for All at ii.15am, followed by refreshments in church.

If you’d like to go to the Barn Dance in the Hall at 7.30pm next Saturday (August 17) to celebrate the birth of HRH Prince George of Cambridge and don’t yet have tickets, it’s not too late to apply for them by ringing Nadia or Celia (01424-882948 or -882250). For full details, please see page 31 of the August Parish Magazine.