Events
Summer Social Event
One of the Society’s Aims is to “hold an annual Social Occasion to enable members and others who live locally to get to know each other”. For many years this occasion has taken the form of a Summer Party, which has been held in a variety of locations - the gardens of private houses, the local school and one of the village pubs. A different event was organised for 2010, see below, but the more usual summer party was again organised this year.
The 2011 Summer Party was held on 9 July. Click here to read a report of the event, whilst pictures may be seen by clicking this link.
For 2010 something different was arranged - a fun day which included orienteering, a photographic competition, displays and teas at the Village Hall. To see photos of the day click here.
Walks & Talks
The Society occasionally organises walks or talks on subjects related to the Commons and their history. Notes on some of these appear below.
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Moth & Bat evening 2011
On July 23rd, we gathered in the village hall to listen to two talks - from The North Bucks Bat Group and from two moth experts, Peter Bygate and Alan Bernard. The Bat group brought a live pipistrelle bat for everyone to see, which accompanied the talks with gentle squeaks.
After the talks, we walked onto the Commons and heard bats in many places. These were all identified as the pipistrelle; although not finding anything unusual, it was a wonderful opportunity to participate in something that usually goes unseen and unheard.
While we were listening for bats, Peter and Alan were setting up two light traps and an illuminated white sheet. By the time we caught up with them at the woodland edge, several moths had already arrived and settled on the sheet.
On the following Sunday morning, a group of us gathered to find out what had arrived overnight in the light traps. A list of the moths we saw may be viewed by clicking here – this list also contains links to further information on, and images of, each of the species seen.
Moths, like bats, are on the decline in Britain. They are very sensitive to environmental change. Before the moths were released, David Dennis took photographs, some of which may be seen by clicking here.
Our heartfelt thanks go to David, who liaised with all the people involved in presenting a very memorable evening.
A fuller report of the Moth and Bat Evening appears on page 14 of the October & November 2011 issue of Hilltop News.
Moth trapping 2010
As dusk fell on the evening of 28th August a small but select band of local residents arrived in ones and twos opposite the Full Moon to be led by David Dennis to the 
site for the evening's moth trapping. David was accompanied for the event by two moth experts - Peter Bygate and Alan Bernard. Sustained by mulled wine, the group spent an interesting time examining the moths which were lured by the mercury-vapour light to be caught by the evening’s hosts.
As well as the trap being observed, a second trap had been set up on the Common and a third in David’s garden. The contents of all three were to be examined the following morning.
Next morning the contents of the three traps were identified by Peter, Alan and David before being inspected by a slightly larger group of residents than the previous evening. The moths were then photographed by David and released. In total 26 species of moth were caught, not a bad total for a cool night, late in the season. David and his friends have offered to re-run the event in June or July next year, when a different and wider range of species may be expected. A selection of the photographs taken by David may be seen by clicking this link.
Lindsay Griffin's report of the event may be read by clicking here.
David has also provided photographs of various butterflies on the Commons - click this link to view them.
Butterfly Walk 2009
Once again, we were very grateful to David Dennis, who led a walk on the Commons on Sunday 12 July to help us identify butterflies.
It was very well attended and everyone appreciated the interesting afternoon. Click account of the 2009 walk for his report on the walk and on our rather variable weather this summer.
Fungus Walk 2008
On 26 October, Clive Carey very kindly took us on a search for fungi on the Commons. Unfortunately, it was a wet morning and only three of us turned up. To make up for the lack of species on the Commons, Clive had been very busy collecting numerous examples from other local places and we had a good look at these under the canopy of his boot door. We were able to observe the intricate beauty and diversity of these extraordinary organisms. We went on to see several species on the Common and Clive showed us some examples that we might not have recognised as fungi. Unlike our native flowering plants, it is difficult to predict when the fruiting bodies will appear, so we may arrange these forays at short notice.
Butterfly Walk 2008
Led by David Dennis, the walk took place on 11th May - one of the hottest and sunniest days of the year so far, reaching 27°C at peak. Sixteen walkers turned out including three highly observant youngsters, who increased our 'spotting' success significantly.
Click account of the walk to see David's report.
Bird/plant walk 2007
We held the first of our Summer Walks on Sunday, 6th May. A number of hardy souls managed to be there at 7am and we very much enjoyed listening to the various bird songs. It was a joy to be with John Kilpatrick and his wife Francesca Greenoak since they were so knowledgeable and to listen to individual birds instead of just being vaguely aware of bird sounds in the background.
Reminiscences of days gone by at the 2006 AGM
After the formal business of the 2006 AGM three speakers - Margaret Walton, Joan Walton and Ron How - recalled some of their memories of the Hawridge and Cholesbury area. Click notes of their talks to read their memories.
Butterfly Walk 2006 
Unfortunately we had to postpone the Butterfly Walk scheduled for May because of the weather but we held it on 15th July, in glorious sunshine.. The walk was led by David Dennis who was a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic leader and the walk was thoroughly enjoyable. (See his account for more details). We were lucky to have with us Lesley Paton and Chris and Richard Dennis who are also very keen butterfly watchers. They were able to help everyone to recognise a wide variety of species. Clive Carey took some magnificent pictures as we walked around. Thank you all.
Earlier talks
John Morris Tree Walk - June 2004