THE BDS NORTHERN IRELAND BRANCH
Information on the British Deer Society (BDS) Northern Ireland branch including events, news, and contacts.
BRANCH Area AND COMMITTEE
BRANCH CONTACTS
| Chair | John Hetherington | chairnorthernireland@bds.org.uk |
| Secretary | Osmond Gurgan | northernireland@bds.org.uk |
BRANCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chairman: John Hetherington
Vice Chairman: Martin Malone
Hon Secretary: Osmond Gurgan
Hon Treasurer: Adrian Fitzsimons
Training Officer: Eric Rosborough
Media Officer: Martin Malone
Education Officer: Jodie Donnelly
Deer Recorder: John Hetherington
Deer Research Adviser: Jaimie Dick
BRANCH AREAS
| Postcode | Area |
| BT | Belfast |
EVENTS
Date
Event
20th January 2023
Branch AGM
Saturday 3rd June 2023
Gralloching at John Hetheringtons Deer Farm.
Saturday 17th June 2023
Butchery Demo
Thursday 28 September 2023
Talking Stalking evening
Friday 27th - Sunday 29th October 2023
DSC1 Course at Drumbanagher Estate
See news section below for more details.
NEXT BDS NATIONAL EVENT
No upcoming events, please check back soon.
NEWS
Saturday 3rd June 2023 Gralloching at John Hetheringtons Deer Farm.
If you want a great day out join us for a day down on the deer farm.
The day starts at the Valley Hotel, Main Street, Fivemiletown at 8.30am where you will be served with a sumptuous traditional breakfast fry of sausage, bacon and eggs with potato and soda bread followed by tea/coffee with toast and marmalade. If this is not your cup of tea, then why not go for a continental breakfast or a bowl of cereal or porridge or indeed whatever else you may like.
After that lovely breakfast at 9.30 am we head off from The Valley Hotel to John’s farm at Clabby.
Its only a short trip and upon arrival we go up the stairs into the loft where John will give a briefing to the group at 9.45am. If your breakfast has not quite satisfied you (highly unlikely) there will be tea , coffee and biscuits available throughout the event
10.15am – we will go downstairs and assemble in the larder and cutting facility to witness and take part in the gralloching of one or two deer.
12.15 – we will break for some light refreshments
12.45 – there will be a debrief and question time in the loft with the event expected to conclude by approximately 2.30pm.
Saturday 17th June Butchery Demo and Venison sausage and Burger Manufacture Demo followed by BBQ .
This event will commence at 9.30am with the skinning of a deer followed by the butchery demonstration of one or two carcases. A professional butcher will demonstrate how to break the carcass into primal cuts and then how to cut the primals into roasts or steaks or stewing meat etc .
The butcher will then demonstrate how to manufacture venison sausage and burgers and what meat and ingredients you need for this.
Finally to finish of you will be treated to a great venison sausage and burger BBQ.
This event should conclude around 2.30pm
COST OF THESE EVENTS
Saturday 3rd June Event
Adults £25
Students & Pensioners £17
Saturday 17th June Event
Adults £20
Students & Pensioners £12
SPECIAL PRICE TO ATTEND BOTH EVENTS
Adults £35
Students & Pensioners £22
You will see that if you attend both events you are getting a phenomenal price! We do not run these events to make money but for your enjoyment and education. We would like as many of you as possible to come along to both events. We would ask that you Confirm your attendance by email, no later than the 28th May. Thank you.
Osmond Gurgan – northernireland@bds.org.uk
STAY IN TOUCH
If your contact information has changed please make sure to let us know. To update your details simply email membership@bds.org.uk or call 01425 655434.
LATEST NEWS
Surveillance for Coronaviruses in Wildlife
The British Deer Society is asking its members and supporters to assist with a surveillance study looking into coronaviruses in wildlife. This study aims to support the development of diagnostic tests, aid future surveillance, and improve preparedness for future coronavirus outbreaks.
BDS CEO Goes Live On TalkTV To Promote Fact-led Deer Management
David Mcauley, British Deer Society (BDS) CEO went live on TalkTV and Radio at the weekend to promote the importance of having more fact-led approaches in deer management, less sensationalism in the media around total UK deer numbers and to speak up for deer welfare.
Deer Management in the UK: Sustainability Verses Eradication
Recently, we received a heartfelt letter from a dedicated member of the British Deer Society (BDS), a seasoned deer stalker with 30 years of experience who was dismayed by the indiscriminate and unsustainable shooting of roe deer around his management areas. His words shed light on the evolving challenges faced by conscientious deer managers who prioritise legal and humane practices in an environment where not all shooters share the same values.
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