AN AUTUMN programme of illustrated talks on wildlife starts in Romsey this month.

The Romsey group of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is behind the talks, which start on Monday September 21 at the town’s Crosfield Hall.

Jon Stokes from the Tree Council is the guest speaker at this talk which is entitled Wild Hedges for Urban Hedges.

"The hedgerow network provides Britain’s largest nature reserve," said John Middleton from the Romsey branch of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

"Jon Stokes will explore the importance of hedgerows and the how to improve them to boost their wildlife potential.

"The Tree Council is the UK’s lead charity for trees and distributes grants for planting trees, woodland wildflowers and hedges.”

said John Middleton from the Romsey branch of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

He added that the group’s next scheduled talk in on October 19 and it will focus on whales, dolphins and porpoises in UK waters. The speaker will be Anna Bunney from the wildlife charity Orca.

The final talk of the year is on Monday November 16 and it will be about Bentley Wood nature reserve near West Tytherley on the Hampshire-Wiltshire border. The speaker will be Dr Pat Woodruffe.

“She will explain how the challenge of the past 30 years has been to restore the woods and enhance their natural history while managing them as a commercial timber resource.

"The site is very important for butterflies, with species present including purple emperor, white admiral and pearl-bordered fritillary," concluded Mr Middleton pointing out that Bentley Wood has been a nature reserve for 60 years and with neighbouring Blackmoor Copse forms one of the largest contiguous areas of woodland in Wiltshire.

All talks will held at Romsey’s Crosfield Hall and they start at 7.30pm. Admission is £3. Guests are very welcome at all meetings.

Contact Janet Levitton for more Further information about the HIWWT and the Romsey Group on is available from Janet Levitton on 01794 519262.