Saving Ratty

On Friday the 1st December we held our 22nd AGM at Garboldisham Village Hall. Despite a very chilly night we were joined by 68 people. After the formal AGM and Ellie Beach - LOHP Conservation Manager's Highlights of 2023, we started our talks.

This year it was a joint effort given by Vince Lea and Emily Coleman from Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) on "Saving the water vole: building a mink-free Great Britain".

The talks were really interesting - firstly a national picture by Vince Lea about the mink trapping project, then what was happening in the LOHP area (location of LOHP rafts below). It was fascinating to hear that genetics and DNA testing are being used to find out where the mink come from. It is great to know all our time and effort put into this project isn't being wasted. Hopefully as the project rolls out across the country our Water Voles will be better protected.

A huge thank you to our speakers and to all those who were able to join us. Hopefully see you next year for another inspiring talk.

LOHP AGM and Annual Talk 2023

Join us in person at our AGM on Friday 1st December, 7.30pm at Garboldisham Village Hall

The formal AGM will be brief, and then our Conservation Manager, Ellie Beach, will give an update

on LOHP's highlights over the last year. Followed by our annual talk, this year given by Vince Lea and Emily Coleman from Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) on "Saving the water vole: building a mink-free Great Britain".

The Countryside Regeneration Trust protects, promotes, and regenerates our land and all life on it, by bringing people and properties together to make everyone a friend of the countryside. With farmland wildlife in decline, small farms are struggling to survive, and the future of our wild spaces is in jeopardy, our work has become more important than ever.

Launching a mink raft © CRT

Drinks and nibbles provided. There will also be an exhibition of work by Creative Fen Group. Please bring family and friends along. The event is free for members, we ask non-members for a minimum donation of £4. For more information contact enquiries@lohp.org.uk.

We look forward to seeing you.

LOHP's 21st AGM

LOHP's 21st AGM was held in person on Friday 28th October at Garboldisham Village Hall. It was well attended with just over 50 people joining us.

AGM 2022 Garboldisham Village Hall © Bev Blackburn

After the formal part of the AGM, a presentation was made to John McCormack who was stepping down as a Trustee after 6 years. John was presented with a piece of artwork from local artist and LOHP Membership Secretary Sue Lawrence. John won't be leaving us he will still be coming out getting hands dirty with the practical conservation volunteers and as an active member on the Communications Team. Thank you John for all your hard work as a Trustee over the years.

John McCormack receiving thank you present from Rob Robinson, LOHP Chair © Nick Lingwood

After the presentation, Ellie Beach Conservation Manager gave a short update on what LOHP had been up to over the last year. This was followed by a really interesting talk from Charles Rangeley-Wilson about "The River Nar Restoration Project". Charles is a key partner in the River Nar Restoration Group, and chair of the CaBA Chalk Stream Restoration Group.

River Nar © Charles Rangeley-Wilson

The evening ended with people having a chance to catch up with old friends, over nibbles and drinks and enjoy the displays by LOHP on volunteering and '20 years of LOHP' and an exhibition of work by Creative Fen Group. Thank you to those of you who came along and to our interesting speakers - see you next year.