Changing of the Guards

Over 50 members of the Lynchmere Society at their AGM meeting in Haslemere last Friday paid tribute to retiring Chair, Lady Judy Rous, and heard a fascinating talk from National Trust Ranger Dave Elliott on the challenges and potential solutions for our local waterways and wetlands.

The Society manages the fifth largest area of heathland in West Sussex. A habitat as rare as rainforest.
Dr Christopher Tibbs, on behalf of all, thanked Lady Rous through an adapted libretto of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance:​

​“She is the very model of a modern conservationist
In matters ecological, a keen environmentalist.”

He concluded:

“So Judy is retiring as the chair of this society,
Join me to wish her happiness and absence of anxiety.
We thank you now for all you’ve done,     
Your contribution will be so much missed.    
You are the living model for Lynchmere conservationist.”
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Coverage featured in The Herald
Lady Judy Rous, who had been chair for nine years, said was delighted with the injection of new talented Trustees with expertise in land and habitat management, finance, digital marketing and membership as well as a new Chair in Mike McCart who has lived on Marley Common for over 35 years.

The Society thanked retiring Trustee Richard Appleby for his many years of support as well recognising the exceptional efforts of Gareth Hopkins, Chairman of the Cow Club, and ongoing energy and enthusiasm of the other Trustees, Bruce Middleton, Ian Russell, David Knapp and Louise and Peter Searight.

A special mention was made of the dedicated volunteering of Mark Allery and Chris Pooley.
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Retiring Chair Lady Judy Rous, right, new Chair Mike McCart left.
Dave Elliott 
Guest speaker

In his talk on our local waterways and wetlands NT Ranger Dave Elliott said that we were very fortunate to be in the catchment of three rivers: the Wey, the Rother and the Arun.
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AGM and Dave Elliott talk flyer
The bad news was the damage being done by Southern and Thames Water Boards in spilling raw sewage, so often outside storm period, stimulating the growth of algae which uses up the oxygen causing the fish to die as well as killing native water plants.

​He urged everyone who sees solid raw sewage in our rivers to report it to the Environment Agency.​

The good news is the reintroduction of water voles, beavers, otters and migrating eels in our rivers. He also explained the work the National Trust were doing at Woolbeding to restore the health of the river and its flood plain which would enable species recovery.
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