There is some fascinating history in the far east of Buriton – at Ditcham, close to the county border with Sussex.

And there is also some very special wildlife which has been attracting ecologists from around the world for more than 100 years.

An illustrated talk will explain the area’s connections with people who shaped science and helped the country win the First World War.

People like Sir Arthur Tansleym, the first president of the British Ecological Society and an early president of the Royal Meteorological Society.

And there will be information about the wonderful nature reserve at Coulters Dean – a fragment of chalk downland that has not been ploughed for well over a century.

This small woodland and chalk grassland haven is a valued refuge for a number of scarce butterflies and plants.

The bridleway running through the reserve links with the South Downs footpaths, which you can follow if you are looking for a longer walk.

Coulters Dean nature reserve is home to small blue butterflies green hairstreaks and chalkhill blues.

The grassland is spectacular in the spring and summer, with beautiful drifts of colour from the wildflowers carpeting the meadow, where you may see up to 11 species of wild orchid.

If you look closely, you might see the interestingly-named cheese snail, so called because its shell resembles a round loaf of cheese.

The area is renowned for its rich variety of flowers with hundreds of orchids growing among milkwort, fairy flax, clustered bellflower and yellow rock-rose.

Local residents Di Mitchell and Doug Jones will be giving the talk which, it is hoped, will be of interest to many people.

The talk will take place in Buriton Village Hall next Wednesday (March 23) starting at 7.30pm.

Admission is free with a retiring collection. All are welcome.