After an ample tea, which was as usual generously provided by the Guides' and Brownies' parents, the Guides gave a short entertainment. The programme ended with the singing of "Brownie Bells" and "Taps".

B.C.

Women's Institute

Miss J. Reagan gave a very interesting and amusing talk on "When I broadcast on Women's Hour". It was agreed to make an annual event of the Coffee Morning to raise funds for the Village Hall. This will be instead of manning a stall at the Barbecue. Arrangements were made for an outing to Brede and Rye. There was a general discussion about the programme for next year.

The smallest flower arrangement competition was won by Mrs. S. Macklen. There will be no meeting in August.

N.M.

A NATURALIST'S NOTEBOOK

July - the height of summer, the time when many people sit in their gardens enjoying the wealth of summer flowers, and farmers talk about the ripening golden harvest, which will shortly be eaten up by the mouths of hungry combines; not to be in 1968. This year has been a tale of storm-blown roses, split cherries, laid corn and spoiled hay. Your correspondent, although possessing a very short memory, cannot remember such a bad July in all his thirteen years of farming.

What effect has this disastrous summer had on our flora and fauna? Surprisingly enough most species of birds appear to have had a very good breeding season, with the weather having little consequence on their success.

Unfortunately, a small population on the south side of Queendown Warren suffered very badly from the perils of toxic chemicals, a thought-less gardener using an overdose of D.D.T. on his roses, unwittingly killed off a very high percentage of the young birds in his area. The orchids in Queendown Warren have flourished, with all the usual species, including the Early Spider Orchid, blooming in good numbers. Much to the dismay of most farmers the fox also appears to have been very successful this season. I have seen several cubs in both parishes of Stockbury land Hartlip.

Finally, I must mention the Spotted Flycatcher which has nested in either the churchyard or the Vicarage Garden. These little flycatchers normally arrive in our country at the end of May or beginning of June after their long journey from the Mediterranean, but this year they were very late and it was not until the day of the School Fete that I saw my first bird catching flies for his hungry family, tucked away in a small crevice somewhere within the churchyard.

W.F.A.B.