Countryside Management Association News

Well, we all recovered from our field trips. And when I said everyone got back – I was wrong. In fact there weren’t enough seats on the last bus which left our field trip, so 2 people ended up taxi-ing their way home. Fortunately one could speak the language as he was Bolivian.

Friday (the last day) was a day of meetings and voting for various International Exec. Committe posts within the IRF.

Florin, (a Ranger from Romania), was voted-in as the next European IRF Representative, as Rigmor from Norway stepped down.

Deanne Adams from the USA is now the IRF President for the next 3 year term (until the next World Congress).

As yet there is no suggestion of where the next World Congress will be because no-one came forward with a proposal, but I think one or two countries are considering it. And I understand the next European get-together will be in Russia – possibly next year.

If you have the opportunity to attend one of these IRF gatherings, I would recommend you go. You’ll find it really interesting to meet so many other Rangers – some with quite similar roles to Rangers, Wardens and Keepers in the UK, whilst others are very different. The CMA website will always have information about future interational events, so keep an eye out.

The closing ceremony was on Friday 6th. Nov. and was due to start at 8 p.m.. Having got into the Latin American swing of things by this time, we strolled along at 8.20 p.m., only to find out we were still early. Proceedings finally got underway by 9 p.m. with a number of speeches, awards, and thank-yous. After that, dinner was served with the "Atkins Diet" theme continuing with Roasted Quail, stuffed with pate. My heart goes out to the vegetarians.

Dinner was followed by some impromptu dancing, although not everyone joined in as some people were staying at other hotels and their buses had arrived to take them back. I felt the finale at the Congress in Stirling 3 years ago (with a buffet and ceilidh, which some of you may remember) was more striking as a Congress finish, but the dancing was still good fun.

There’s some beautiful and dramatic scenery in Bolivia, and very different wildlife. The birdspotters had plenty to keep them occupied. Perhaps not surprisingly there’s quite a contrast between the 4 star hotel we stayed in and the areas of poverty elsewhere. While we had the comfort of a pool and air conditioning, we saw people getting around by pony and doing their washing in the river.

Congress delegates made their way home over the next few days, saying goodbye and looking forward to meeting again in Europe or elsewhere, or to stay in touch by email. Those of us who were still there on Saturday evening gathered for a meal at a local restaurant, which was another good opportunity for a chat and to catch up with each other. I hope my reports haven't sounded like we are a cliquey group, we truly are not and everyone we met during this Congress have been extremely welcoming.

Perhaps I’ll see you at the next one in Russia...?

Janice

CMA Roving Reporter