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IN BRIEF ASSOCIATION OF TRUSTS FOR NATURE CONSERVATION IN WALES Representatives of five Trusts met at Gregynog Hall on 13 October 1979 when a wide range of topics was on the agenda. The problem of foxes or other predators in Nature Reserves led to an interesting discussion. Although there may in fact be no problem on a Reserve the presence of foxes which wander onto adjacent farms may lead to a situation where diplomacy is required to maintain good relations with neighbours. It was agreed that there was no single solution. Each case would have to be dealt with according to local circumstances. Concern was expressed about the fyke netting for eels which poses a considerable threattootters in some waters. The Association will strongly advise that 3 inch mesh netting be placed over the entrance to the traps. This would still allow free access to the eels but would prevent the otters following them in. There have been a number of cases reported in different parts of the country of otters being drowned in fyke nets. Also discussed was the proposal by SPNC to produce a new magazine which could be sold to the general public as well as to members of Trusts. While each of the Welsh Trusts will decide its own policy, a chance to discuss the proposal in general terms was very helpful. M.J.M. NATURE IN WALES COMPETITION Last year the Editorial Board of Nature in Wales invited readers to write and submit "popular" articles for possible publication, and this invitation was supported by the WWNT Council of Management through the offer of a £ 20 prize for the best article sent in. Articles had to be of 2,000 words or less, and they had to be about "some aspect of natural history in Wales". In the event only 14 competition entries were received, including nine from outside Wales. Ten of the articles were about birds. The quality was variable, and the three judges remarked that a number of the entries were carelessly written and very disjointed; some authors had no obvious theme, starting off on one topic and finishing on something quite different! But the judges thought that six or seven of the articles were worthy of publication, and we hope to fit them all into the journal during the course of the next three issues. The competition winner was Miss Marjorie Sykes, who wrote a most enjoyable aricle called "Hedgecraft". The runners-up were Mrs Heather Sealy-Lewis, with an article called "Castle Woods in February", and Mr Peter Bond, with an article called "Coed Farm wildfowl reserve". Other worthy entries were received from Mr Donald Cunnigham, Miss H.R. Harrison, Mrs Barbara Brill, and Mrs Ann Tate. Although the competition is now over the Editors of Nature in Wales hope that their readers will not stop writing! All articles and notes submitted will be considered for publication; the more material we receive the more interesting the journal will be. B.S.J.