Background

Since boyhood I have been interested in lepidoptera, the butterflies and moths. In 1969 I was awarded a BSc degree in Zoology, specialising in Entomology from London University, with the intention of pursuing a career in entomology, the study of insects.

In the event, a full-time career in the water industry prevented me from pursuing this aim although I continued my interest on an amateur basis. My interest encompasses all the lepidoptera, the butterflies, macro-moths and the micro-moths, including the very smallest. From the early 1980s I have become involved with the Brecknock Wildlife Trust, acting twice as Chairman, most recently until November 2001. I continue as Chairman of the Conservation Committee. I am also Chairman of the Powys and Brecon Beacons National Park Environmental Records Centre, which is the pilot Welsh local environmental records centre.

Training courses

Since 2003 I have given a number of training courses on behalf of Butterfly Conservation covering identification and survey techniques for both butterflies and macro-moths. These were tailored to the expected audience, so some provided guidance for beginners but others included more specialist material for more experienced delegates. I have also held training courses on finding and identifying leaf-miners.