The Doncaster Naturalist

A Message from the President

The Doncaster Naturalists’ Society can trace its roots back to the start of the Doncaster Scientific and Microscopical Society in 1880. During this time the society journals have only been published twice. Now that we have celebrated the centenary of the society (in 1980), the committee thought that it would be appropriate to launch a new Natural History Journal so the professional and amateur naturalists in the area could contribute observations made in and around Doncaster.

At first sight Doncaster Does not seem to have much to offer the naturalist and to an outsider like myself arriving in the 1950’s it seemed nothing more than a flat plane dotted with coal tips, factories and railways. It was pointed out to me, however, that to the discerning naturalist Doncaster with its varied rock and soil types can and does support a rich and interesting flora and fauna. Treasures are still to be found, and the number of nature reserves in the area has been increased dramatically in the last fifteen years.

As the main article in this publication shows, Doncaster has in the past been lucky to have men and women of insight and talent who made major contributions to the advancement of science at local, national and even international levels. The work is still going on and we hope that this Journal may be of some help in being a vehicle for the communication of findings made and researched in the area.

Articles may be short or long, tentative or intense – do not hesitate to submit your observations. We already have an encouraging list of articles from our members and from which our temporary editor has assembled our first copy.

May we wish our new Journal every success.

D. Bramley, President 1982