The group was founded in 1986 and was instrumental in the founding of The Buckpool & Fens Pool Nature Reserve (designated SSSI, SAC & LNR). The PWG has had a continuing interest in the Buckpool & Fens Pool Reserve since the beginning, although “Pensnett” in our title is a bit of a misnomer as our”home patch” of the Fens Pools through to Buckpool also includes Barrow Hill, The Coppice and Foot’s Hole.

You don’t need to be an expert to join, just have an interest in the local environment. One of the members is a Chief Ecologist for the Canal & River Trust and arranges all our surveys which, over the years, have provided most of the scientific data recorded for the area. In fact some of our members have recently completed our annual Amphibian survey and will shortly be looking at dates for Bat nights. The group meets on the first Monday of each month (second if Bank holiday) at 7.30pm and have recently moved our meetings to a new venue, The King William pub just up the road from the Russells Hall Hospital in the Pensnett Road and not too far away from one of the Reserve entrances.

Discussing issues from planning to vandalism can make for an interesting and lively debate. For our 25th anniversary the PWG produced a book detailing the Group’s history and achievements but as yet we are unsure how we will mark the 30th year in 2016. New members are welcome, membership costs £2.50 paid annually in February and a brief update newsletter is produced every half year. For details visit pensnettwildlifegroup.

org.uk or call 01384 297165.