Warwickshire Branch Committee

Our first branch committee meeting took place in the living room or Margaret’s home in the autumn of 1996. From the beginning, Margaret took on the duties of treasurer, newsletter editor and membership secretary and was instrumental in the formation of the branch. She also ran the annual garden butterfly survey for Butterfly Conservation. In 2003 Margaret co-wrote ‘Butterflies of Warwickshire – Their Habitats and Where to Find Them’. In 2008, Margaret, stood down as Chair from committee but was duly recognised for her work by becoming our first branch President.

In 2009, Margaret received the Outstanding Volunteer Award from Butterfly Conservation. This was in recognition of her work at a national level having served on the Conservation Committee and single-handedly ran the Garden Butterfly Survey since 1990, written books and articles on 'Gardening for Butterflies', 'Butterfly Plants for the Garden' and 'Butterflies as Indicators of Climate Change' to name a few. At a local level, she was a founder member of the West Midlands Branch of Butterfly Conservation in 1979 and served on the committee in roles such as Newsletter Editor and Branch Liaison Officer. Margaret has worked as volunteer warden at Harbury Spoilbank and started the first Warwickshire Butterfly Transect on the site in 1988. Her experience in establishing the West Midlands Branch served her well when she became the driving force behind the formation of Warwickshire Branch in 1997.

Margaret continues as Kenilworth Area Liaison Officer for the branch.

Mike has served on committee since the branch was formed in 1996 and was quickly appointed as Chairman and Conservation Officer.

He was instrumental in securing the land adjacent to Ryton Wood. The Ryton Wood Meadows Butterfly Reserve was officially opened on the 28th May 2007 by Dr Martin Warren, Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation. In 2007, Mike received an Outstanding Volunteer Award in recognition of his substantial contribution to the conservation of butterflies in Warwickshire, especially the Ryton Wood Meadows Reserve.

Mike is also Coventry Area Liaison Officer, Conservation Officer (Butterflies), Media Officer (Butterflies and Conservation) and Ryton Wood Meadows Reserve Manager for the branch.

Contact Mike Twitter @MikeSlater5

David has served on committee since 1997 and is author of Warwickshire's diffinitive guide to moths, the Larger Moths of Warwickshire, published in 2006.

David is also our Macro Moth Conservation Officer and Media Officer on moth related enquiries.

Contact David

Debbie has served on committee since 2009 and is the branch Membership Secretary. Debbie also makes lovely cakes which often feature at our Spring Meeting and Autumn AGM.

Contact Debbie

Tara joined the committee in December 2022.

Richard has served on the committee since 1997 and is an active member of the committee with a lifelong passion for butterflies. He is the Managing Director of Stratford Butterfly Farm. Richard is also the branch Liaison Officer for the Stratford-upon-Avon Area.

Contact Richard

Phil has served on committee since 1997 and has been highly active working on wildlife conservation projects in his home town of Rugby, with a particular focus on Ashlawn Cutting, Malpas and Cemex sites in the area.

In 2008, Phil received recognition for his 50 years of being involved in conserving butterflies moths and their habitats. He has surveyed every part of the Rugby District in detail and on many occasions has been the only person that has driven the conservation work in this area. Throughout these 50 years, Phil has given up most of his weekends during the winter months to undertake the vital habitat management himself and has been responsible for saving colonies of Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper and Green Hairstreak.

Phil has been our Rugby Area Liaison Officer, a role he now shares with Steve Wright. Phil is also our Rugby Work Party Co-ordinator.

Contact Phil

Tony has served on committee since 2016 and is an active member of our conservation team maintaining various sites for the benefit of butterflies, moths and other wildlife. Tony is the branch Events Officer and creator of Frankendeer.

Contact Tony

Caz joined the committee in March 2021.

Katie joined the committee in February 2020 and is the branch Social Media Officer.

Sue joined the committee in February 2018.

Sue is our Meeting Secretary and Sutton Coldfield Area Liaison Officer.

Contact Sue

Heather has served on committee since 2000 and is the branch Meeting Secretary. Heather makes some rather lovely cakes which often feature at our Spring Meeting and Autumn AGM.

Contact Heather

Keith has served on committee since 1997 and is a vital part of the branch committee having taken on many roles over the years. In 2003 Keith co-wrote ‘Butterflies of Warwickshire – Their Habitats and Where to Find Them’.

He is currently the branch Annual Report Editor, North Warwickshire Area Liaison Officer, Butterfly Recording Officer, Transect Co-ordinator (Butterflies) as well as being our Branch Treasurer.

In 2015 for his contribution to Butterfly Conservation, Keith received the Outstanding Volunteer Award from Butterfly Conservation for his significant contributions to Butterfly Conservation in Warwickshire.

Keith is a talented wildlife photographer and many of his wildlife images can be seen on his website www.warmies.uk.

Contact Keith Twitter @keithwarmie

Hugh joined the committee in December 2021.

Steve joined the committee in February 2018 and is an active member of our conservation team maintaining various sites for the benefit of butterflies, moths and other wildlife.

Steve is our Joint Rugby Area Liaison Officer alongside Phil Parr.

Contact Steve Twitter @StevenW33436788