The Annual Public Lecture of the East Carmarthenshire Group of the above organisation was given by Richard Pryce, County Plant Recorder and Past President of the B.S.B.I on the Wild Orchids of Carmarthenshire.

He began his well-illustrated discourse by showing the different geological areas of the county indicating which favoured orchid growth followed by distribution maps of the different species. Examining individual species from the earliest surviving records, it was apparent that many had decreased alarmingly over the years and were greatly dependent on any conservation reserves that might be available. Answering questions it became apparent that although there were many British species that had never been recorded in our county, we were fortunate in having huge drifts of these lovely flowers on many sites and more were being reported. Their specific fungi associations could possibly be met by each seed being carried by the wind carrying its own fungal store. Thanks offered by the chairman Matt Ridley were enthusiastically endorsed and the secretary reminded all of the next group meeting on Wednesday, December 10 at 7.30pm in Maes y Elfryn Hall, Dynevor Avenue the speaker being Jason Lawday, Countryside Access Officer. It will be the annual Christmas meeting and seasonal refreshments will be offered.