Sue,

It is unlikely that the extensive access we have to paper files and computer databases would exist without the hard work of volunteers all over this and other countries. Many of us have been, or still are, deeply involved with this or that project so there is no likelihood that we shall 'forget' what it takes.

If you are one of the island-based volunteers and, perhaps, speaking for the group, then please assure them that I was not in any way criticising the quality, importance or value of your work, only making what I thought was a positive contribution to a possible debate on future directions.

Again, if you are the official spokesperson for the volunteers, would you please refer to the final sentence of my initial posting which, I think, is what we should be discussing.