The speaker at our February meeting was Lewis Hillier, an ecologist who has travelled extensively, studying many of the world's bats of which there are more than 1,400 species, writes Gillian Hipwood, from Mendip Gardeners’ Club.

His lively, entertaining and informative talk introduced the group’s members to the 17 species that live in the UK. We learned about their various habitats, food, communication methods and life styles.

Female bats will produce one baby per year. Due to ‘delayed implantation’ the babies are born in spring, when the weather is warmer and food is much more plentiful. At around three to four weeks, the babies can fly on their own.

As autumn approaches, the mothers will show their babies the hibernation roost, where they will stay during winter in partial hibernation, going out to feed occasionally on warmer nights.

These amazing little mammals, which weigh between just three and 25 grams, live their lives largely un-noticed by us, but they can consume 1,000 mosquitoes in just one night.

That fact alone means we should do all we can to help them, by growing night flowering plants to attract moths for them to eat and provide more roosts, perhaps in the form of bat boxes.

Lewis' talk was furnished with lots of information and the super photographs he had showed what a wide range of characteristics these creatures exhibit.

Our speaker for next month’s session is Eliza Gray who will be talking on Garden Design. Come along to the village hall at Green Street, Ston Easton BA3 4DA on Wednesday March 19 to meet her.

The hall will be open from 7pm for refreshments, sales, tables, etc and the talk will start at 7.30pm.

A warm welcome awaits, members and visitors alike.