During this time, he has introduced many of you to the delights of Natural History. He has a particular interest in mammals and several years ago was instrumental in introducing a population of harvest mice to the Pastures. Many of you will remember the ones kept in the Visitors Centre, for a couple of years.

Rob is a keen bird-watcher and many of you enjoyed his Starling Extravaganza on the Runcorn - Widnes Bridge. The autumn migration watch at Hale Lighthouse was always well attended and was often an introduction to the joys of bird-watching but was equally popular with long-standing enthusiasts. He regularly arranged for parties to visit Hale Duck Decoy, giving an excellent insight into both the history and natural history of the site.

Always committed to involving children, he arranged an annual Fayre, of one sort or another: varying from year to year, but usually involving falconry, ferret racing, face painting and kite-flying.

Rob was influential in arranging project days for lots of different groups, including our own group, The Friends of Pickerings Pasture. These involved a range of tasks from planting and pruning trees and shrubs to maintaining the hide area of the Pastures. For several years, he has also organised, with others, the annual shore clean up on Hale Shore.

As soon as we know what is happening at Pickerings Pasture we will let you know.