Editorial

Mollusc World continues to be an important benefit and means of communication to members but remains a major outlay in a period where the Society’s income, in the current economic climate, has fallen. A decision has therefore been made to reduce design costs by performing some of these ourselves and to move to an alternative printer who can also assist with type setting and distribution. Thus we have said farewell to Emma Pitrakou and to Henry Ling Ltd who have been involved with the magazine since its launch and our thanks go to them for all their hard work. Moving forward we now have an all-colour magazine and for perhaps the first time, a special “theme” for this issue. In September 2009 the Society held a marine field meeting in the Isle of Skye (an idea partly from Shelagh Smith who has collected many records from the area) co-ordinated by Celia Pain and Jan Light. In addition a small group carried out some successful non-marine recording. The Island of Skye, situated off the West coast of Mainland Scotland, is the largest and best known of the Inner Hebrides. It is sometimes referred to in Gaelic poetry and song as Eilean a' Cheò (The Misty Isle). Skye is renowned for its natural beauty and wildlife (and as experienced by those who were on the marine field trip, rain!). The Map above by Adrian Sumner shows some of the places visited. Whilst on Skye, the idea was mooted that this issue of MW might focus on different aspects of the molluscs of the island and this is the result. There is also an account of a field trip to search for the “Cheese Snail” , an interesting contribution about the surprising connection between shells and a major stage musical and two interesting book reviews! Please continue to send in articles, large and small. What about writing something about your favourite group of molluscs, or a snippet of interesting “mollusc news”? The next issue (copy deadline May 31st) will include some inspired poetry from several of you in response to Peter Dance’s poem in issue 21 as well as shell art in the Channel Isles and another recipe!