Schedule of meetings 2025

Regulations

Field meetings are open to all members of the Society. Guests may also attend meetings. Children are welcome, but remain the responsibility of parents/guardians at all times. There is usually a maximum of fifteen participants. A waiting list for oversubscribed meetings is kept by the Meetings Secretary.

There is usually a range of botanical expertise amongst people attending and the leader will make every effort to make sure that everyone sees the plants of interest and hears discussions and explanations. Some meetings are to places with specific plants in mind, others are more of a ‘come and find’. For the meetings in 2024, members wishing to attend a meeting should book with the Meetings Secretary, Janet John. Your booking will then be forwarded to the meeting leader. 

Meetings can be oversubscribed and, in that case, a reserve list will be held. If, having booked and had your place confirmed, you find you are unable to attend, please inform the Meetings Secretary so that someone else can take your place. If there are any queries, then contact Janet John, Meetings Secretary wfs.meetings@gmail.com or phone 01753 884490.

Leaders have received updated procedures and recommendations to ensure the safety of members on meetings with regards to Covid-19. Numbers on a meeting may be limited depending on terrain and location. 

The Meetings Programme can also be found on the website: www.thewildflowersociety.org.uk. Updates regarding availability of places or changes to arrangements in meetings and, on occasion, information about extra meetings, will be notified through the website and through the WFS Newsletter.

Please DO NOT bring dogs with you to meetings as many field meetings are held in nature reserves or where there are grazing animals. Registered guide dogs may be exempt from this requirement, unless they are prohibited by the landowners. Please check with the meeting organiser.

Please come appropriately dressed, especially with regards to footwear,and be prepared for all eventualities of weather. If you have mobility issues, please check with the leader that the terrain is suitable.

Transport and accommodation are the responsibility of the attendee. However, members who do not drive or who have difficulty in reaching the starting point should contact the leader to see if transport might be available. You will be given their details when you book.

Please arrive promptly for the meeting. If you have traffic problems, let the leader know so they can advise on the route and how you can find the group.

When you arrive at the meeting, park considerately, act responsibly, bearing in mind the Countryside Code, and stay with the group. Always inform the leader, if you must leave before the end of a meeting. 

Please note that a meeting may have to be cancelled due to a leader becoming unwell or self-isolating and that WFS are not responsible for any travel or accommodation costs incurred. We ask that people do not attend a meeting if they have a high temperature, don’t feel well, have any other Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid.

PACKED LUNCHES ARE REQUIRED AND USUALLY NEED TO BE CARRIED.

ALL THOSE ATTENDING WFS FIELD MEETINGS DO SO AT

THEIR OWN RISK

Safeguarding Policy.

In line with Charity Commission guidance, the WFS now has a Safeguarding Policy, which can be found on our website under the Governance Tab.

The purpose of the policy is to set out the behaviour we expect of our members and leaders of Field Meetings in order that meetings are a safe environment for everyone.

Our two Safeguarding Officers are Chairman, Peter Llewellyn, and the Meetings Secretary, Janet John.