Worcestershire Record No. 25 November 2008 p. 3

Simon Wood

After yet another wet summer I must extend thanks to all those who have persevered with their recording and contributed to WBRC, the combined database of accessible records now stands at nearly 900,000.

The last year has again been one of important progress in the development of WBRC. Staffing for core work has increased to 2.4 members of staff (Manager Simon Wood, Biological Recording Officer Jennifer Schenke part-time for 3 days per week and new recruit Kath Quickfall starting in September 2008 as Data Officer). Together with steadfast volunteer input from John Partridge, John Meiklejohn and Ruth Bourne means that we are able to process and deliver more data than ever before. The Worcestershire Ancient Tree Project run by Worcestershire Recorders and hosted by WBRC continues to further both awareness and available information on this important resource with Becky Lashley successfully providing a hub as Project Officer.

The continuing development of established relationships and the building of new ones with a wide range of organisations that have a use of biological data or could actively contribute have borne fruit. Participation of WBRC in the West Midlands Local Records Centre forum has continued, with the group acting as the hub for both raising the profile of all West Midlands LRC’s and allowing the joint undertaking of a number of regional projects for Natural England. WBRC also completed a joint habitat mapping project with Herefordshire BRC for the Malvern Hills AONB Unit in early 2008 successfully demonstrating our ability to expand into new work areas and react to the demands of users.

WBRC has also continued to be involved with work to developing a national Association of Local Record Centres, the association aims to provide a much needed voice for all county LRC’s on issues that need to be addressed with organisations at national policy level, an area which, to date has been somewhat beyond the scope of individual county LRC’s.

Please feel free to contact the office on 01905 759759, e-mail records@wbrc.org.uk to discuss any aspects of data collation or indeed other issues relating to WBRC.

November 2008