Area Society: Merseyside

'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.'

'Founded in 1942, at the height of the Second World War and the Holocaust, by Archbishop William Temple and Chief Rabbi Joseph Hertz ... Our aim is for Jews and Christians to meet, to understand each other better and to create meaningful engagement between the communities. We have grown into a nationwide network of 30 active branches around the UK, complemented by a professional team that run national programmes in education, dialogue and social action - for Rabbis and clergy, community leaders, students, policy makers, CCJ members and those of all faiths and none.'

'The Embroiderers' Guild exists to build awareness of stitch and textile art. We educate, encourage, inspire and promote the achievement of excellence ... We have a number of independent stitch groups who are affiliated to the Embroiderers' Guild.' (NOTE At the time of Review, the Guild no longer provided Links to the Websites of their affiliated Groups.)

'We are the charity that campaigns to protect and restore the country's 7,000 miles of inland waterways ... We campaign locally and nationally for the waterways – supporting restorations, lobbying parliament, championing regeneration and raising waterways users concerns ... Our members and volunteers are waterways-lovers from all walks of life who want to preserve and improve the network for future generations.'

'Our members come from across the physics community whether in industry, academia, the classroom, technician roles or in training programmes as an apprentice or a student. However our reach goes well beyond our membership to all who have an interest in physics and the contribution it makes to our culture, our society and the economy ... Activity organised by nations and branches includes physics-related events such as visits for members, physics talks, member visits and public engagement activities.'

'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.''

'Lancashire Beekeepers was founded in 1882 which makes The Lancashire & North West Beekeepers' Association one of the oldest beekeeping associations in England. With eight branches ... our popular and active beekeeping association spans the county of Lancashire and parts of Merseyside and Greater Manchester with over 640 members ... For full details of what's happening at your nearest beekeeping branches please visit your local branch's website to obtain their latest meeting and event dates ... Members of the public are welcome to attend our meetings to see what's involved; just contact the relevant Branch secretary to confirm the meeting details.'

'A friendly active forum, networking opportunities at our Group Meetings ... and a quarterly journal with news, advice and excellent articles about the people, businesses and events that made Liverpool and South West Lancashire what it is today ... We have six Groups within the society which ... arrange their own programmes of events and meetings.'

'Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) are partnerships of a broad range of local organisations, businesses and people who aim to help bring about improvements in their local natural environment.' (NOTE There does not seem to be a readily accessible official list with Website Links of current English Partnerships. However, I have prepared Records within the relevant Localities for the 'live' English Partnership Websites I have discovered so far.)

'The Society was founded in Cheltenham in 1928 at a time when there was little official information published about locomotive stock, their allocations or regular duties. The Society set about rectifying this by members writing to each other, the publishing of a magazine and some meetings organised around the country ... Move on to the present day and the Society is still going strong with 3000 members ... Our branches hold meetings at least monthly in the season at over thirty centres and in the course of a year host over 200 presentations on a vast range of railway subjects covering the modern scene as well as history and nostalgia subjects.'

'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.'

'Groups which meet and converse in the UK and beyond, usually gathering once every month. The event was founded in London, UK by Dr Scott Campbell in 1999, for all those interested in science, history, psychology, philosophy, investigative journalism and how to examine extraordinary claims of all types. A speaker (or number of speakers) is invited each month to present a topic of interest, which is followed by a discussion in a relaxed and friendly pub atmosphere.'

'The Theosophical Society is a worldwide organisation founded in 1875. Its primary aim is universal brotherhood without distinction of race, creed, colour, gender or social background. It is based on the realisation that life in all its diverse forms, human and non-human, is indivisibly One ... Toward this end the Headquarters and its National Sections sponsor public lectures, seminars, events and study groups on theosophical and allied themes.'

'Formed in 1980 to maintain interest in the period 1914-1918, to perpetuate the memory, courage and comradeship of those on all sides who served their countries in France and Flanders and their own countries during the Great War. It does not seek to glorify war and is non-political ... Belonging to The Western Front Association provides you with the opportunity of meeting like-minded people to learn, share, explore and exchange information and knowledge in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.'

'Exists to arouse, stimulate and maintain interest in ships, shipping and related matters amongst the general public; to promote understanding of these subjects and their rich heritage by compiling, publishing and preserving records and illustrative material concerning ships and their part in mercantile and naval activity; and to promote and advance public education in current and historical nautical affairs ... Branch meetings, held throughout the world, allow members to share their knowledge, experience, and joy of the shipping and naval industries. From the young to the elderly, the membership is diverse and reflects a wide range of maritime or naval history. Yet all share an abiding love for the ships that travel the seas.'