The Society is going through a difficult period. There were no nominations for a new Chairman at the AGM and the office is now vacant. Shortly afterwards, the Field Meetings Secretary resigned from her post. There are also three Ordinary Council Members’ posts unfilled. Fortunately Council has been able to function at its two meetings since the AGM as the Treasurer has kindly agreed temporarily to take the chair, so currently he has two sets of duties. Under his leadership Council has discussed a range of reforms some of which are of major importance and would necessitate amendment of the Constitution, which to enact will require endorsement by the full membership.

Council has broadly agreed several key points to take the Society forward namely: that field meetings cease, for one year at least; that we cease to undertake PR activities; that we do not have any affiliated groups; and that the Rose Hill land should be sold. The publications, conference and members meetings should all continue. New directions for the Society are proposed including: a system for awarding grants to other groups for natural history projects including field meetings; commissioning natural history works; supporting SNS members’ projects; developing relationships with universities and bodies such as Natural England, and recruitment of Council members to reflect this.

A lot of discussion has centred around the proposals to drop both field meetings and affiliated groups. These stem from justifiable concerns that members of Council are, in line with Charity Commission rules, trustees and could be held legally and financially accountable in the case of mishaps or accidents to participants. The position regarding the SNS field programme will undoubtedly appear on future agendas.

All of these measures are important; some are controversial but they all have laudable aims. However, they should be discussed and implemented by a full strength Council with a Chair confident in the knowledge that he has the backing of the members of the Society. Therein lies the ‘Catch 22’, the dilemma that without initiatives that might attract new members prepared to be more actively involved in running the show it will remain difficult to engage such folk.

Congratulations and welcome to Anne Ainsworth on her appointment as Assistant Curator of Natural History at Ipswich Museum. Anne is a geologist and comes from Scarborough. We all look forward to meeting her. Some things are looking up!