British National Parks Illustrated Talk. Geoff Sherlock presented an excellent slide/talk show on the pleasures of walking in some of the twelve national parks in England, Wales and Scotland, and how more areas of the country are under consideration for National Park status.

Heath Sand Pits Past and Present led by Jess and Veronika of the Sand Pit Project.

A splendid start was made to the Hedgerow Survey in perfect weather on Sunday morning. A small but very high quality team spent the morning identifying trees and shrubs in the Overend Green area.

The hedgerow to beat with 11 tree and shrub species is the one on the south side of Overend Green Lane as you head towards the Woburn Road 

It has:

1. Hawthorn
2. Blackthorn
3. Elder
4. Dog Rose
5. Ash
6. Oak
7. Dogwood
8. Field Maple
9. Hazel
10. Spindle
11. Wayfaring Tree
    

There was only a single oak tree and a single spindle and using Hooper's aging rule it averaged 5 species per 30 metres and is thus about 500 years old. Interestingly the hedge against the Woburn Road had less species [7] but averaged 6 species per 30 metres and using the same rule is 600 years old. Other mysteries include why is their hazel on one side of the Lane and not the other - and a large-leaved elm on one side and not the other? If they have been there for 500 years you would have thought they could have made the jump?

Little owl and Chinese water deer also seen.

Long-term Leighton Buzzard Narrow Gauge Railway member Tony Tomkins presented a slide/talk show on the Railway and its "missing connection" with Heath and Reach.

Refreshments were kindly provided by the Womens' Institute.