The Society was formed early in 1980 in response to a request from the Chairman of the Parish Council to record the local wildlife and get the villagers involved in their surroundings with local walks and pond dips.
George Bailey and John Threadgold got together and came up with 3 programmes which were sponsored by the Council. These were so successful that in April we started recruiting members and drew up a programme for the next year.
The subscription for membership was £1.50 and 44 years later it is still the same!!
In 1984 we suggested having an annual quiz with other Societies, we had talks with South Essex and Basildon and it was agreed to hold it in March each year and alternate the hosting. After the third year we were joined by Wickford Wildlife and since then it has proved to be very popular and is still going strong.
1985 saw our first Photographic competition with expert judges who's choice did not always sit well with the members. Now the members themselves do the judging and all is well and popular.
In 1990 we were asked by the Council if we would coppice the Osiers at the end of the Common to stop them spreading over the road, this was agreed and we would get a donation for our efforts. After 4 years the money had accumulated and the Council said if we could come up with a project they would put the money towards it.
We came up with the idea of making a Village Map which was thought to be a good choice. After a lot of meetings and discussions with various people and then everyone involved being very busy over the next 6 months it all came to fruition in early August 1996 and was deemed a great success by all involved.
George Bailey and John Threadgold got together and came up with 3 programmes which were sponsored by the Council. These were so successful that in April we started recruiting members and drew up a programme for the next year.
The subscription for membership was £1.50 and 44 years later it is still the same!!
In 1984 we suggested having an annual quiz with other Societies, we had talks with South Essex and Basildon and it was agreed to hold it in March each year and alternate the hosting. After the third year we were joined by Wickford Wildlife and since then it has proved to be very popular and is still going strong.
1985 saw our first Photographic competition with expert judges who's choice did not always sit well with the members. Now the members themselves do the judging and all is well and popular.
In 1990 we were asked by the Council if we would coppice the Osiers at the end of the Common to stop them spreading over the road, this was agreed and we would get a donation for our efforts. After 4 years the money had accumulated and the Council said if we could come up with a project they would put the money towards it.
We came up with the idea of making a Village Map which was thought to be a good choice. After a lot of meetings and discussions with various people and then everyone involved being very busy over the next 6 months it all came to fruition in early August 1996 and was deemed a great success by all involved.
The Village Map of 1995
We undertook this project in January 1996 and with the help of some of our members and two local art groups we finished the map in July. It was printed in the Village and was ready for the unveiling on August 9th. The map is an historic document for Great Wakering as it was in 1995 with all the crops, businesses and families depicted and showing all the footpaths. It is available for purchase at Millers Farm, Great Wakering for a mere £3. size 880 x 620
The committee for 2022/23 is
Chairman : Dave Shearing
Treasurer : Gill Threadgold
Secretary : John Threadgold
Members : George Bailey
Jacquie Butler
Tamsin Butler
Barry Hale
Chairman : Dave Shearing
Treasurer : Gill Threadgold
Secretary : John Threadgold
Members : George Bailey
Jacquie Butler
Tamsin Butler
Barry Hale