Area Society: Bedfordshire

'Local groups usually meet once a month, slowing down in the alpine off-season at the height of summer. So if you’re a gardener of a different stripe, alpines are a fun way to extend your gardening season! Group meetings often involve a talk from a plant expert, a raffle and a plant sale. Groups also arrange trips out to gardens and places of interest throughout the year.'

'Committed to the conservation of native amphibians and reptiles and their natural environment by supporting the development of a network of independent volunteer amphibian and reptile groups ... Each Group works with the species in its locality, and these provide the "grass roots" of native herpetofauna conservation in the UK; undertaking survey and monitoring, practical conservation tasks, public events and outreach and liaising with stakeholders including local planning authorities, land owners, other conservation bodies, and the wider public.'

'Founded in 1955 with the aim of helping bring together the community of craft Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. Rather than set up another organisation for individual craft people we chose the path of becoming an Association of Guilds - an umbrella body to which regional or local Guilds are affiliated. The aim is to support those regional Guilds by operating at a larger scale with National Conferences, National Exhibitions, Competitions, publications and recognised qualifications certifying individuals' high level of achievement and competence in their chosen craft. We now have over 100 member Guilds representing over 5000 crafts-people.'

'Supports local bat groups across the UK and over 6000 members. We work with volunteers, scientists, industry and government both locally and nationally on a range of projects ... Whether you are a bat-beginner or an expert you are sure to find an event to interest you ... Year round the Bat Conservation Trust, local bat groups as well as conservation and community organisations arrange bat events across the UK from training courses to bat walks for families.'

'Butterflies and moths are a vital part of our wildlife heritage and are valuable as sensitive indicators of the health of our environment. The stark fact is that butterflies and moths continue to decline at an alarming rate, despite Butterfly Conservation's best efforts over the last 40 years ... Butterfly Conservation's strength derives from its Branches and the 40,000 members they embrace ... Branch members are some of Britain’s most enthusiastic volunteer conservationists. Public events are held all year round, including butterfly walks, moth events and countless conservation days.'

'GeoConservationUK has a membership of over 50 Local Geoconservation Groups, previously known as RIGS Groups (Regionally Important Geological and geomorphological Sites) across the British Isles. GeoConservationUK exists to promote local geological/geomorphological sites for education and public benefit and works towards a British Isles perspective, focusing on the common purposes and issues of local interest to Groups.'

'A multi-regional umbrella organisation established to support county-based geoconservation groups across England.'

ALERT The Website does not seem to have been updated for several years - and its Content has in many respects been superceded by that on the GeoConservation UK Site.

'We love hardy perennials for their variety, colours, shapes, sizes and longevity. We help each other to grow them better, to try different species and we exchange and spread information about them ... Local Group membership is open to all members of the national HPS. Most groups charge a small additional subscription. Groups welcome new members and visitors; they are a great way for those of all ages and levels of experience to share their enthusiasm for plants and gardening ... Most Groups offer ... talks by experts with the opportunity to ask questions and talk to them.'

'We are the IET and we inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world. As a diverse home across engineering and technology, we share knowledge that helps make better sense of the world in order to solve the challenges that matter. It’s why we are uniquely placed to champion engineering ... Local Networks are groups of members that come together to deliver a series of activities designed to promote the importance of science, engineering and technology to the general public, encourage young people to enter the profession and provide opportunities for engineers to share and develop knowledge and network with each other.''

A Record created to provide access to the Entries in Open Lectures and Talks for Area and Regional Federations of Local History Societies. Each Federation is given an Entry in the relevant BROWSE by LOCALITY Category on this Website. Click on the appropriate Tag to discover the Entry of interest.

'In the belief that many features of the traditional accounts of the character and career of Richard III are neither supported by sufficient evidence nor reasonably tenable, the Society aims to promote, in every possible way, research into the life and times of Richard III, and to secure a reassessment of the material relating to this period, and of the role of this monarch in history ... The Richard III Society functions at a local level, both within the United Kingdom and in other parts of the world, through its regionally organised Branches and Groups ... The activities usually combine a programme of meetings and talks and, in the UK and Europe, visits to Ricardian sites.'

'The Royal Society of Biology is a single unified voice for biology: advising Government and influencing policy; advancing education and professional development; supporting our members, and engaging and encouraging public interest in the life sciences. The Society represents a diverse membership of individuals, learned societies and other organisations. Individual members include practising scientists, students at all levels, professionals in academia, industry and education, and non-professionals with an interest in biology ... The RSB has a vibrant network of regional activity. Our branch committee arrange local events which are a great way to develop professional contacts and to share interests.'

'The Wildlife Trusts is a grassroots movement of people from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, on a mission to restore a third of the UK's land and seas for nature by 2030. We believe everyone, everywhere, should have access to nature and the joy and health benefits it brings. No matter where you are in the UK, there is a Wildlife Trust inspiring people about nature and standing up for wildlife and wild places. Each Wildlife Trust is an independent charity formed by people getting together to make a positive difference to wildlife, climate and future generations. Together we have more than 850,000 members, over 42,500 volunteers, 2,000 staff and 600 trustees.'