THE BDS WESSEX BRANCH
Information on the British Deer Society (BDS) Wessex branch including events, news, and contacts.
BRANCH AREA AND COMMITTEE
BRANCH CONTACTS
| Chair | Dorothy Ireland | chairwessex@bds.org.uk |
| Secretary | Hugh Goodman | wessex@bds.org.uk |
| Treasurer | Karene Johnson | |
| Range Officer | David S Davies | |
| Range Officer | Terry Hoskins |
BRANCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Other committee members
- David Barrett,
- David Davies (Range officer),
- Stephen Farr,
- Mark Hatt-Cook,
- Trevor Hughes,
- Terry Hoskins, (Range Officer),
- Roger Ireland,
- Tony Lowry,
- Matthew Moore,
BRANCH AREAS
| Postcode | Area |
| BA12 – BA15 | Bath |
| BH | Bournemouth |
| DT | Dorchester |
| GU10 – GU12 | Guildford |
| GU14 | Guildford |
| GU17 | Guildford |
| GU21 – GU22 | Guildford |
| GU26 | Guildford |
| GU30 – GU35 | Guildford |
| GU46 – GU47 | Guildford |
| GU51 – GU52 | Guildford |
| GY | Guernsey |
| JE | Jersey |
| PO | Portsmouth |
| RG | Reading |
| SL | Slough |
| SN8 – SN9 | Swindon |
| SO | Southampton |
| SP | Salisbury |
EVENTS
Date
Event
8th November 2023
An introduction to Non-leaded hunting Bullets’
30th November 2023
Yarn in a Barn
See below for more details.
NEXT BDS NATIONAL EVENT
No upcoming events, please check back soon.
NEWS
Autumn Update
We’ve officially wrapped up the Wessex Branch’s show season and what a success it’s been! Particularly the 3-day New Forest Show which brought together town and country. After a lengthy hiatus we returned to Newbury Show, bringing back its agricultural theme of years past. We were HIGHLY COMMENDED throughout the whole show – a great achievement! But the best part? Despite the heavy rain, so many of you from the north part of the branch still showed your support!
We are hoping in the very near future to be going back to East Holme Ranges Dorset, which is under new management, so watch this space.
Save the date! 📅 On November 8th at 7:30 pm, join us at the Lyndhurst Community Centre for a very special event! We will have Richard Sharman discussing ‘An Introduction to Non-leaded Hunting Bullets’, PLUS our 60th Annual Branch Photographic Competition! Don’t miss out on what should be an interesting and unique evening – see you all there!
February 14th 2024, will be the Branch AGM, again at Lyndhurst Community Centre, so please come along and support your committee.
Some time ago I mentioned a work party to re-open the Aldridge Hill enclosure in the New Forest for the red deer, however, after much discussion, it would seem the deer have not used this area for some time. It was decided to put everything into Queens Meadow where the fawns and calves are usually born, with cooperation from the commoners and Forestry England. Fencing needs to be restored in some areas so funding will be needed. It is a shame about Aldridge Hill, but unless the deer are using it, it seems pointless for us to work on it.
As I understand a great number of you have passed the interviews to become a HAD in Hampshire, this is splendid news, it means the numbers should be reaching the number we started back in 2007. The BDS has also funded the yellow lights that are needed for the HADs when out at an accident, however, more funding is needed to make all of this a success. Country Watch attended a number of shows this year in Hampshire taking along new BDS accident awareness leaflets.
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.
