Spinney Vets

A scientific workshop held in the UK explored the potential contribution of traditional dried fruits to public health, identified gaps in the evidence and addressed priorities for research. Presentations considered the categorisation and composition of dried fruits; dried fruit and gastrointestinal health; the polyphenol content of dried fruits and their potential contribution to health; dried fruit and appetite in relation to the psychology of snacking and obesity; dried fruit and dental health including its role as a snack; and conflicts in public health advice for dried fruits. A round table discussion explored the contribution of dried fruit to “five a day” fruit and vegetable intake and fibre intake, whether dried fruits have equivalence with fresh in terms of dietary advice, advice on snacking in relation to dental health and appetite control, informing the public about different types of dried fruits and avoiding consumer confusion, and future research requirements.

Ring recoveries from Greenfinches making overseas movements to and from Britain are analysed. On average, approximately 0.1% of all British Greenfinches move to Ireland for the winter, and an estimated 2% or more of those breeding in southeast England cross to continental Europe. In the case of the continent, there is evidence for a small movement in the opposite direction. Most Greenfinches moving to the Channel Islands in autumn also originate in south‐east England. A few Norwegian Greenfinches cross the North Sea to winter in Scotland or northern England. It is suggested that these are part (not more than about 1%) of a population that normally winters at the Norwegian coast, whereas others found in south‐east England are associated with a regular migration through Denmark and continental countries bordering the North Sea, the numbers reaching Britain representing a few percent of that migrating population. A sea crossing to or from Britain is an occasional rather than an annual event for any individual Greenfinch.

SUMMARYMany of the papers submitted to this Journal fall far short of the standard of presentation that editors are entitled to expect. This tends to sour the all-important relation between editor and author, making unnecessary work for the former and perhaps even prejudicing acceptance of the latter's paper. The author, typist, editor and copy-editor have specific roles to play in preparing copy for the compositor and this article explains those roles, in the hope that the explanation may help authors to present their papers in the correct form.