Christine Kinsman and Gaynor Clark examine collection of moths ©FNRC Christine Kinsman and Gaynor Clark examine collection of moths

Midsummer Moths

Welcome evening with glorious weather

A fine midsummer’s evening brought about 30 visitors to Newtown Road Cemetery last week. A small bottle of hydrochloric acid helped to differentiate between sandstone and limestone memorial stones on the Rock of Ages tour with Elizabeth Capewell. This was the first time this tour, inspired by the Science Curriculum in Junior School, was offered.  It is hoped that local schools will visit to learn more about the way the world is made. Contact can be made through the Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery website www.fnrcnewbury.org.uk 

Ros Clow led the Introductory Tour later on but the greatest excitement of the evening was the collection of moths which had been caught overnight. Displayed and labelled by Paul Black, he was amazed to have collected 68 different types including the very rare Festoon moth. At 9.00pm the visitors had the pleasure of releasing all the moths to the wild none the worse for their day in the fridge.