THE BDS WEST BRANCH
Information on the British Deer Society (BDS) West branch including events, news, and contacts
BRANCH AREA AND COMMITTEE
BRANCH CONTACTS
| Chair | Stuart Ship |
| Vice-Chair | Michael Sworder |
| Treasurer | Hugh van Cutsem |
Committee Members:
Matt Cole, Richard Clarke, Lindy Larkin, Michael Bagnowiec
To email the branch please use the addresses below:
BRANCH AREAS
| Postcode | Area |
| CF | Cardiff |
| GL | Gloucester |
| NP | Newport |
| OX | Oxford |
| SN1 – SN7 | Swindon |
| SN10 and above | Swindon |
EVENTS
Date
Event
Sunday 23rd June 2024
Range day - severnside range
Saturday 28th September 2024
Clay shooting at Barbury Shooting School, Wiltshire
Wednesday 16th October 2024
Members Meeting - mentoring
Friday 18th October 2024
Emergency First Aid for Outdoor Workers (EFAW +F) 1 day course
Wednesday 13th November 2024
Members Meeting - mentoring
See below for more details.
NEXT BDS NATIONAL EVENT
No upcoming events, please check back soon.
NEWS
Mentoring Scheme
The Committee of the West Branch are putting on two evenings for members to see if there is demand amongst members for mentoring.
At this stage we have a handful of individuals who stated that they would be prepared to give some mentoring but these evenings would also be an opportunity to see if we can bring in others who would be happy to offer mentoring.
The idea is that the scheme would be open to anyone who has had only limited experience of stalking, or for those who are taking qualifications or for those who have no experience but are interested in learning more. It will be an opportunity to see new ground, talk deer with people who have their own experiences to share and to learn from them.
For those willing to offer mentoring, it will be an opportunity to meet those who would like it as well as to discuss what opportunities can be offered. Even one outing would be hugely welcome.
The two evenings will be on:
October 16th – 1900hrs – 2100hrs at:
The Lamb Inn, High St, Shipton-under-Wychwood, OX7 6DQ
November 13th – 1830hrs – 2100hrs at:
The Compass Inn, Tormarton, Near Badminton, GL9 1JB
You will see that we have chosen two locations within our very large branch area in order to facilitate all members and give them the opportunity to come, should they wish to, without having to travel too far.
This will as much as anything also be an opportunity to meet members and discuss further ideas for the branch.
If you would like to attend then please can you send an email to west@bds.org.uk and state which evening you would like to come to, and in what capacity (mentor or wanting to be mentored).
There will be a small charge on the evening of to cover snacks and payment will be taken on the night so please bring cash. Exact amounts will be confirmed with attendees. At this stage we just want to get an idea of numbers so please reply if you can come.
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
Partnership Announcement: British Deer Society and The Stalking Show
Together, with the help of our community and the fantastic help of the BDS Midlands, Wales and The Marches branch volunteers, we will be supporting the co-founders of The Stalking Show, David and Deanne, to make their 2025 event bigger, better and more memorable than ever before all whilst sharing the mission, vision and values of The BDS with the stalking community across the UK.
Give a Gift of Conservation
This Christmas, give a gift that truly matters—support the conservation of the UK’s wild deer. Learn how donating, gifting memberships, or making purchases through the British Deer Society can create lasting positive change for wildlife, the environment, and future generations. Choose a meaningful gift that goes beyond materialism and helps protect our natural world.
Protecting Deer from Fencing Hazards
Discover the heartfelt story of Beverley Challinor, who is dedicated to protecting the deer of her local woodlands. In this personal journey, Beverley shares the challenges deer face with common fencing hazards, offering eye-opening insights into how we can prevent needless suffering. Through her experiences and practical advice, learn how simple actions can make a huge difference for wildlife.
