Make a date in your diaries for this excellent conference: Saturday 27th November 2010 at Draycott Memorial Hall, Latches Lane, Draycott, Somerset, BS27 3UE (www.draycottmemorialhall.org.uk, ST474514).

A meeting of Amphibian and Reptile Groups in Southwest England is long overdue, but thanks to RAGS (Reptile and Amphibian Group for Somerset) we don't have to wait much longer. The eclectic speaker programme will offer a rare chance to hear about recent herpetological and conservation research, and a good opportunity to network with other volunteers and professionals.

Speaker programme: Jan Clemons (ARG creation and maintenance – How to get the most from your network), Freya Smith (Chytridiomycosis in the UK), Jon Cranfield (Tales from the dark side: Aspects of reptile & amphibian ecology discovered through the practises utilised in mitigation projects), Kevin Palmer (Preliminary study to determine spring adder assemblages on the Quantock Hills AONB, Somerset: Implications for habitat management), Chris Davis (Sand lizard captive breeding and reintroduction programme. Why, how and results), Helen Fearnley (Dorset Amphibian and Reptile Network and Footprint Ecology), What do count data really reveal about the true size of sand lizard populations?), Dorothy Wright (Great crested newt conservation status), Chris Gleed-Owen (Towards a standardised approach for commercial reptile surveys and capture exercises), Tobias Uller (What can we learn from introduced species? Insights from UK Wall lizards).

Conference places cost £18 per person if you are self-funded, or £40 if funded by your employer or other third party. Price includes lunch and refreshments. Delegates MUST book and pay in advance by sending a cheque payable to 'Reptile and Amphibian Group for Somerset' to Pete Goldie, Mulberry, Brook St, North Newton, Bridgwater, Somerset TA7 0BL.

Send the following information: Title, full name, affiliation, ARG if any, postal address, telephone, email, dietary/other requirements. Receipts will be issued at the conference. Payments will be non-refundable after 31 October 2010. A social gathering is likely to take place the evening before (Friday). Watch out for flyers.