Frank Dobson, author of “Lichens: An Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish Species”, passed away in December 2021. To commemorate his huge contribution to lichenology through publishing, recording and teaching, the British Lichen Society invite you to take part in "Lichens for All – A Month Commemorating the Contributions of Frank Dobson”.
A month of activities will take place in August 2022 including a special one-day commemorative field meeting in Surrey where Frank did so much lichen recording.
- BLS Surrey Field Meeting in memory of Frank Dobson (Saturday 20th August) – Frank’s home turf was Surrey. BLS members are invited to explore lichens in and around Hampton Park with kind permission of the owner. The old trees in the open park areas and on ancient boundaries within the park are of especial interest. There will also be an opportunity to visit nearby Puttenham Common which has acid grasslands and young woodland and permission is being sought to look at lichens in Seale Churchyard. These sites provide a wide and interesting mosaic of habitats to explore. The meeting will be an excellent way for everyone, from expert to beginner, to celebrate Frank’s life by contributing valuable records and by learning from others. Further information will be added here as plans are finalised.
- Local Field Meetings (various dates) – A variety of field meetings are being organised across the country throughout August, organised by local groups or local representatives.
- Wednesday, 3/8/22, Petersfield Town Centre lichen walk, Petersfield Area Lichen Enthusiasts (PALE)
- Wednesday 3/8/22, The wonderful world of lichens - talk and walk at Wisley RHS
- Friday, 5/8/22, The Breiddens, Shropshire Lichen Informal Group (SLIG)
- Saturday, 6/8/22, Lichen Walk in the Settle / Ingleborough area
- Sunday 7/8/22, Bishop’s Palace, Lamphey, South West Wales - Cennau Cymru / Wales Lichen Recording Group
- Mon, 8/8/22, Introduction to Coastal Lichens (Torrs Walk, Ilfracombe), Devon Lichen Group
- Tuesday, 9/8/22, Glenrath Hope, Lichens in South-east Scotland (LISS)
- Tuesday, 9/8/22, Zoom meeting: Discussion: Young People and Lichens part 1 - open to all
- Wednesday, 10/8/22, Balmerino, North Fife, Tayside Lichen Group
- Wednesday, 10/2/22, Curry Rivel Church, Somerset
- Sunday 14/8/22, Sunbiggin Tarn, Cumbria Lichen and Bryophyte Group (CLBG)
- Friday, 19/8/22, Llanymynech, Shropshire Lichen Informal Group (SLIG)
- Saturday, 20/8/22, Ramsham Nature Reserve, Tavistock
- Sunday, 21/8/22: Petersfield Heath Pond, Petersfield Area Lichen Enthusiasts (PALE)
- Tuesday, 23/8/22, Zoom meeting: Discussion: Young People and Lichens part 2 - open to all
- Friday, 26/8/22, The Wildground Nature Reserve, Gosport
- Wednesday, 24/08/22, Petersfield, Ramshill Cemetery, PALE
- Wednesday, 24/8/22, Lichen walk from Gunnerside, Swaledale
- Tuesday 30/8/22, Upper Dove Valley, Crowdicote by Sorby Natural History Society
- Wednesday 31/8/22, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Lichens for All guided walk
Details of all meetings will be posted on on the Events page on the Society’s website.
Please do get in touch if you are keen to organise your own event. The Education & Promotions Committee will be happy to offer support, advice and advertising for your event.
A full obituary for Frank Dobson appears in the Summer 2022 edition of the BLS Bulletin.
