Members and 2 guests braved the wind and rain for our April meeting.

Our speaker had car problems and was delayed, but Brockenhurst WI did what we always do and showed what an adaptable lot we are!

Vice President Elaine took the decision to do things in a different order, but we started off as usual by singing Jerusalem. Elaine then let members know about future events such as the Needlework Fiesta on 27th and 28th April, a fudge making demonstration on 17th April, a flower arranging demonstration on 24th April, our ACWW walk on 29th April, and our August trip on Monday 12th August to name but a few!

Geraldine was thanked for arranging the beautiful flowers for the table.

Kim talked about her latest teachings to the quilting group and members showed off their raw edge Appliqué projects. There were many oohs and arhs when they were held up. These were taken and showed to the members. The group said what a good teacher they have in Ki!

Zena was collecting subscriptions for 2024/25.

Maureen, as usual, ran the raffle.

The “Competition of the Month’ was a single flower in a vase. Members and guests vote for their favourite with a silver coin and these are donated to ACWW.

It was a close run contest, but the winning flower was Kim’s beautiful flower.

The raffle was drawn and we then took our refreshment break.

Our speaker was Marcus Ward from Wild New Forest and the subject was Pine Martens in the New Forest. Marcus started off telling us that Pine Martens are a member of the Weasel family that live in cavities in trees. They are mainly nocturnal and are omnivores.

Historically, Pine Martens were widespread all over the country, but by 1915 they were largely extinct in England and Wales.

Marcus told us that sporadic records of Pine Martens in the New Forest started in 1993 and from 2010, reportings started growing. In 2016 a Pine Marten was caught on a trail camera set up in the New Forest to monitor Hawfinches.

A survey of Pine Martens started in 2021 and 30 cameras were deployed and moved around the New Forest to different areas over the next 3 year recording over 18000 images. In 2021 there were 79 sightings of Pine Martens, in 2022 there were 91 and in 2023 there were 87 sightings. Pine Martens have unique bib markings and these helped the team to identify 18 different female Pine Martens in the New Forest.

Marcus told us that the next step is to collect DNA from hair and have this analysed.

We were bowled over by these exquisite creatures, Marcus’s knowledge and how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful area.

Pine Marten sightings can be reported to Marcus here. You can sign up for the Wild New Forest Newsletter here.

Our next meeting is on Monday 13th May 2024 and is our AGM. We also have a speaker Sophie Paulson and the topic of “All Hands & Hearts -experience of volunteering in Puerto Rico & Turkey after natural disasters” at Brockenhurst Village Hall – arrival from 7pm for a 7.30pm start.