Formed in 1989, and formally constituted on 19 April 1991, the Thorne and Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum acts as an umbrella for a wide range of like-minded organisations. Its membership is drawn from voluntary organisations such as the Wildlife Trusts and natural history societies, and it has observers from statutory agencies and local authorities. As its name suggests, it provides a place for debate, and the gathering and disseminating of information. In recent years, it has been forced to take on a campaigning role however, this aspect of its work has always been underpinned by sound safe science, and research, survey and monitoring remain key activities. The Forum is administered by an Executive Committee, which meets every 4-6 weeks, and after full meetings. The full, “open” Forum meetings are quarterly.
The Forum aims:
- To conserve the biodiversity, and the geological, palaeoecological,
archaeological and historic features of Thorne and Hatfield Moors
and the wider Humberhead Levels, their biodiversity, and their
geological, palaeoecological, archaeological and historic features.
- To promote Thorne and Hatfield Moors as a natural and cultural resource, at all levels.
- To encourage high quality research to provide a scientific basis for the conservation of Thorne and Hatfield Moors.
- To disseminate knowledge and understanding of Thorne and Hatfield Moors, and of the issues affecting them.
- To facilitate communication and co-operation between organisations that share the above objectives.
- To encourage understanding and enjoyment of wildlife and the
countryside through education programmes aimed at the
community.
Members of the Forum
Life members
Life membership is awarded as a way of honouring the achievements of prominent workers in the Humberhead Levels and to date this honour has only been bestowed on three occasions. In 1998 Dr Geoff Gaunt and Dr. Peter Skidmore were pleased to accept this reward as recognition of their contribution to the conservation, documentation and understanding of aspects of the Humberhead Levels. In December 2003 the Executive Committee were delighted that Dr Paul Buckland, a long standing stalwart of the Forum, accepted the offer of Honorary Life Membership for his involvement in Thorne & Hatfield Moors and the peat campaign and also his contribution to the documentation and understanding of aspects of the Humberhead Levels.
Executive members
- Dr Paul Buckland, Co-Chair
- Brian Eversham, Co-Chair (Doncaster Naturalists' Society)
- Valerie Holt, Honorary Treasurer and co-chair (Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust)
- Helen Kirk, Executive Secretary
- Pip Seccombe, Minutes Secretary (Doncaster Naturalists' Society)
- Dr. Nicki Whitehouse, Academic Editor (Queen's University Belfast, Council for British Archaeology)
- Peter Kendall, Ordinary member, (Goole & District Natural History Society)
- Colin Howes, Ordinary member
Other Officers
- Keith Heywood, Honorary Publications Officer and Webmaster
The following groups are members of the THMCF:
Charities and voluntary groups
- CPRE Regional Office (Sheffield)
- Council for British Archaeology
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
- Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
- Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
- Doncaster Naturalists Society
- Goole & District Natural History Society
- Rotherham & District Ornithological Society
- Sheffield Bird Study Group
- Sorby Natural History Society
- Yorkshire Naturalists' Union
- Ramblers Association, Doncaster branch
- Doncaster Archaeological Society
Observers: statutory agencies and authorities
- Natural England, Humber to Pennines Team
- Environment Agency, Lower Trent Region
- Environment Agency, Ridings Area
- English Heritage, York
- North Lincolnshire Council
- RSPB Regional Office (Huddersfield)
- East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- Doncaster MBC (Environmental Planning and Doncaster Museum Service)
- Hatfield Town Council
- Crowle Town Council
- Thorne & Moorends Town Council
- South Yorkshire Archaeology Service
Academic
- Prof M Williamson, University of York
- Dr J Sadler, University of Birmingham
- Dr M Lillie, University of Hull
- Dr R A Lindsay, University of East London
- Dr N J Whitehouse, Queen's University Belfast
Local MP's
- Caroline Flint
- Ed Milliband
- Rosie Winterton
- Ian Cawsey
Observers: other groups and individuals
- J. Pickering
- M. Oliver
- M. Paine
Constitution
A copy of our Constitution is available.
Contacts:
Thorne & Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum
P O Box 879,
Thorne,
Doncaster,
DN8 5WU
Email Executive Secretary:
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