Salopian Natural History Society brings together Old Salopians and current students

Multiple generations explored environmental and agricultural issues on a glorious sunny evening.

The new society was the idea of Old Salopian Bill Kusiar (Db ) For the first meeting anyone interested in the natural world was invited to tour the School’s current conservation projects before listening to a talk by rural affairs journalist Anna Jones ,who was speaking as part of the School’s Dialogues series. Food and drink were also involved (it wouldn’t be a Salopian Club gathering without some hospitality!)

With the temperature in the upper 20s the Club members toured the Biology Garden, Pollination Garden and Wild Flower Meadow, looking out for swifts nesting in their boxes on the way. They were guided by members of the Schools Eco-Committtee whose enthusiasm and commitment to the environment was inspiring

After drinks and sandwiches on the lawn by Kingsland Hall the group walked up to the library to hear Anna speak about her book ‘Divide’ which explores the disconnect between the town and country in the UK and how we can work towards greater understanding and co-operation

Anna who was brought up on a farm near Oswestry, is a lively and compelling speaker. She may not have anticipated that her audience would contain so many long standing members of the Shropshire farming community, but she entered into a lively and spirited debate which everyone enjoyed and which will undoubtably have brought to life the issues she was describing to younger members of the audience.

There was something very special about seeing the Old Salopians engage with current pupils both on the tour and in the debate, learning from each other in the wonderful, green surroundings of the School.

Many thanks to Mrs Jackie Matthews from the Biology department and Eco-committee for making it possible.