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THE BDS EAST ANGLIA BRANCH

Information on the British Deer Society (BDS) East Anglia branch including events, contacts, and news.

Branch AREA and committee

ChairSteven Houghtonchaireastanglia@bds.org.uk
SecretaryMark Thackstoneeastanglia@bds.org.uk
TreasurerSam Mahoney 
RCOShaun Hawkins 

Committee Members:
James Coleman,
Ben Taylor,
Mick Collins,
Chris Rogers,
Stuart Goode.

Postcode Area 
AL St Albans 
CB Cambridge
CM Chelmsford
CO Colchester
E London
EC London
EN Enfield
HP Hemel Hempstead
IG Ilford
IP Ipswich
LU Luton
MK Milton Keynes
N London
NR Norwich
RM Romford
SG Stevenage
SS Southend-on-Sea

EVENTS

Date

EVENT

Saturday 9th March 2024

Range Day

Saturday 23 March 2024

Branch AGM

Saturday 13th april 2024

Range Day

Saturday 18th may 2024

Range Day

Friday 9th august 2024

Range Day

See the news section for more details on events.

NEXT BDS NATIONAL EVENT

No upcoming events, please check back soon.

NEWS

Branch Range Days 2024

The range will be available from 10:00 until 15:00. But arrive early for bacon rolls (served from 0900 to 10:00)!

The cost per person will be £20.00. The entrance to the range is off the A1088 between Fakenham Magna and Euston, on the left hand side heading north; there will be a BDS sign opposite the entrance. The most appropriate postcode for those using a satnav device is IP24 2QP.
Tip – when you arrive at Euston, park your car where indicated and take your kit to the range proper, where you sign in. It will save you a trek!


Shooting will be possible from distances of 300 metres and less (we start closer to 100m). There will be the opportunity to practice shooting from a variety of positions (e.g. prone, kneeling, sitting, standing, etc) and practice/try the new DSC1 shooting test. Remember that this is a training day so if you want help or advice on any aspect of sporting rifle shooting, do ask.

Because the range is on private land, you do NOT need a certificate of competence to shoot there, but be aware you must receive a range brief before being allowed to shoot. You must also bring your BDS membership card and FAC.

Some people have asked about bringing guests (with FAC). This is possible – these are the rules:-

Visitors to the club who hold a current firearms certificate, who are bona fide members of another Home Office approved club or clubs and whom a Member of the British Deer Society Rifle Club sponsors, may shoot in club range events. The sponsor must ensure that he and the visitor enter all relevant details on the range register before the visitor takes part in any shooting under the auspices of the club.

Steve Houghton
Chair East Anglia Branch BDS
chaireastanglia@bds.org.uk

adult roe buck
Reeves Muntjac deer close up in Norfolk England

Branch Annual General Meeting 2024

The Annual General Meeting of the East Anglia Branch of the British Deer Society will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday 23 March 2024 at the Eriswell Lodge, Brandon Road, Eriswell, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 9FB.

Schedule:

  • 0930: Arrival
  • 1000: Welcome by Branch Chair – Steve Houghton
  • 1015: Knife making – Marc Zabroski
  • 1045: BDS Training & Mentoring Scheme in West Norfolk – Nick Rout, Head of Training
  • 1115: Short Break
  • 1130: East Anglia Branch AGM
  • 1230: Close

Agenda:

  1. Apologies for absence.
  2. To confirm the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 11-February-2023 at Euston Estate Rifle Range, Thetford.
  3. To consider any matters arising from those Minutes
  4. To receive the Chairman’s report
  5. To receive the Treasurer’s report and to consider acceptance of the Branch accounts for 2023. These will be available at the meeting.
  6. To elect a Chairman for the forthcoming year
  7. To elect a Vice Chairman for the forthcoming year
  8. To elect a Secretary for the forthcoming year
  9. To elect a Treasurer for the forthcoming year
  10. To elect Committee members for the forthcoming year
  11. To consider and deal with any other business

Current Officers and Committee:

Chairman: Steve Houghton
Secretary: Mark Thackstone
Treasurer: Sam Mahoney
Committee: Stuart Goode, Shaun Hawkins, Mick Collins, Ben Taylor, James Coleman, and Chris Rogers.

Nomination Submission Deadline: Other nominations (supported by a proposer and seconder) are to be submitted in writing, please, to the Branch Chairman by 11th March 2024.

This event is held at Eriswell Shooting Lodge, and members wishing to can avail themselves of the facilities which include a fully featured clay shooting ground and a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch.

Steve Houghton
Chair East Anglia Branch BDS
chaireastanglia@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.

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