To commemorate the twenty-first year since the publication of ‘Simpson’s Flora of Suffolk’ I have produced a slim volume of Francis’ writings taken almost exclusively from the SNS transactions and newsletters of the Ipswich and District Natural History Society. Together with a few illustrations these selected writings cover a surprisingly wide range, far more than the botany that was his speciality. After an introduction, which includes several of the true stories about his adventures, there are comments from those who knew him well. Also included are several of his field meeting reports and, with flora studies are longer extracts giving his views about conservation, past glories of the Suffolk countryside, and the wilful destruction he opposed wherever and whenever possible.

The selection hopefully shows a range of emotions from humour to anger. Also included is a section demonstrating that, like his long-time friend Ted Ellis, Francis was a superb all-round naturalist: his study of Suffolk cormorants shows this clearly. There is just one extract from his book and a concluding obituary from Martin Sanford.

Copies will be on sale at the October conference and the November Members’ Evening. The book can also be obtained directly from me at ‘Valezina’, 112, Westerfield Road, Ipswich, IP4 2XW, the cost being £5 or £5.50 by post.