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British Deer Society Bulletin 43
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In this Bulletin:
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1 CLA GAME FAIR CANCELLATION
2. THE BRITISH DEER SOCIETY ULTIMATE HOLIDAY DRAW 2007
3. NEW GAME LICENSING REGULATIONS FROM 1 AUGUST
4. SEARCH FOR UK YOUNG RURAL ENTREPRENEUR 2007
5. LATEST BRITISH DEER SOCIETY TRAINING DATES
6. DEER BACK AT THE ROUNDABOUT
7. HISTORY, ECOLOGY & ARCHAEOLOGY OF MEDIEVAL PARKS & PARKLANDS CONFERENCE
8. TWO ESCAPED DEER ARE TO BE SHOT
9. DEER RESCUED FROM SWIMMING POOL
10. RAG-FORK AND THE NATIONAL TRUST PULL TOGETHER TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RAGWORT
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1 CLA GAME FAIR CANCELS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS 49 YEAR HISTORY
Sunday 22nd July, 2007
The CLA Game Fair has made the difficult decision to cancel their show which was due to open at Harewood House, nr Leeds on Friday 27th July.
Adverse, and worse than predicted weather which has hit Harewood Estate over the last 48 hours, has now defeated all the efforts the organisers have made in order to open the show this coming Friday. Up until then the gallant efforts of the 100 strong site team and the added financial commitment made by the CLA to keep the site in good condition and build up on target meant that the show organisers remained confident that they would be able to receive the contractors and exhibitors from Monday in the run up to the show.
Despite weeks of rain the site was drying out well before the deluge of rain on Friday afternoon followed by lighter but continuous rain throughout the weekend. The site is now saturated with water lying in all areas of the showground regardless of the ditches which have been dug to drain as much excess as possible. Vehicle movement is at a stand still other than movement along the 4000 meters of trackway and acres of bark that have been put along all the show Rows. The concern is that once the exhibitors, catering units and other show contractors arrive many vehicles would have to drive off the protected areas in order to set up and the ground cannot take it. This would create a safety issue apart from the other issues of vehicles getting stuck or not being able to reach their stands.
The show site, caravan park and the car parks would need continuous sunshine to make it possible to continue and the forecast for the coming 5 days is more rain.
This has resulted in a meeting held today with the heads of the CLA and The Game Fair Board, who have given full consideration to all health and safety advice, which concluded that to hold the decision off beyond today (Sunday 22nd July) in the remote hope that weather and site conditions may improve would risk an even greater loss to the many businesses and individuals whose livelihood will be affected by the show's cancellation.
The safety issues included the increased risk of loss of vehicle control on mud leading to collisions with other vehicles, structures or people, attempts to recover bogged vehicles from site, car and caravan parks which could lead to people who are pushing falling under wheels or trapped between vehicles. Other concerns were the greater difficulty in maintaining food hygiene in presence of excessive mud, the difficulty in getting emergency vehicles to incidents on site and mud being trailed on to the roads potentially causing traffic hazards.
The organisers are only too aware that aside from the financial loss they are going to have to bear, the overall economic impact of the cancellation will be in the region of £50million. This was the expected spend both inside show and the local region surrounding Harewood following an Economic Impact Survey undertaken by Bournemouth University last year.
The Chairman of The CLA Game Fair Board, Vincent Hedley Lewis, stated 'Ourselves aside, our hearts go out to all the people whose livelihood is going to be affected by our not being able to go ahead. We have truly done all we could to keep the show going for everyone's sake. To proceed this week with the wet conditions we are experiencing would be a health and safety risk as well as an even greater financial loss to the hundreds of businesses and individuals who support us each year. We were not defeated by foot and mouth in 2001 but the rain has defeated us this summer.'
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2. THE BRITISH DEER SOCIETY ULTIMATE HOLIDAY DRAW 2007
What if you could forget about the weather and take off ..........................................
To South Africa .....
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India.....
South East Asia......
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Where ever the whim takes you.......
WIN a superlative £10,000 holiday from the Ultimate Travel Company - and you can!
Experience the holiday of your lifetime........ seek out your dream destination!
Choose your slice of paradise from the Tailor-made Journeys brochure and let The Ultimate Travel Company do the rest.
A highly individual travel service for highly individual travellers.
Tickets £20 per book, £2 per ticket for your chance to Win!
Buy NOW on online from www.bds.org.uk
email , or phone 01425 655434.
All profits from the Draw will go to the British Deer Society education and research funds.
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3. NEW GAME LICENSING REGULATIONS FROM 1 AUGUST
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/070712b.htm
NEWS RELEASE: 12 July 2007
New regulations to reform game licensing in England and Wales were announced today by Defra.The new regulations will remove restrictions for those shooting and dealing in game.
Minister for Biodiversity, Joan Ruddock said:
"It is only right that we have legislation that is fit for modern times. The new regulations will make the shooting of and dealing in game less bureaucratic.
"By cutting all this red tape, we are improving consumer choice by enabling game dealers to sell locally produced game all year round."
This reform to simplify regulation is part of Defra's commitment to reduce its administrative burdens by 25% by 2010.
The Regulations which come into force on 1 August 2007 will:
- remove the restriction on dealing in game birds and venison during the close season. This means that any person will be allowed to sell game and venison all year round provided the animals in question were only killed in the open season;
- remove the requirement for a licence to kill or take game; and
- remove the requirement for two licences for game dealers to sell game.
More guidance for game dealers and retailers on implementing the new regulations can be viewed at www.businesslink.gov.uk/gamelicensing
Defra, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
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4. SEARCH FOR UK YOUNG RURAL ENTREPRENEUR 2007
Are you, or do you know somebody, under the age of 35, who runs a UK business with a rural theme?
The Field magazine and Lycetts countryside brokers have teamed up to find an outstanding individual whose entrepreneurial spirit has led them to start up a successful business that benefits the rural economy and/or rural communities.
Lycetts hope the award will help to raise the profile of rural businesses on the back of the recent resurgence in a 'buy local' attitude. Whilst they expect a number of entries to come from diversified farms and estates, they are also interested in any new business set ups however high tech or low tech they might be, and to understand how they benefit their local area.
You can apply online at www.thefield.co.uk and you can also nominate a candidate.
First prize is £10k and the closing date for entries is August 12th.
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5. NEW BRITISH DEER SOCIETY TRAINING DATES
Continuing throughout the year and across the country
DSC LEVEL 1 - 2007
SPECIAL PRICE OF £280.00 - A £55 SAVING
DSC Level 1 is run over four consecutive days or two weekends and comprises a series of lectures, slide presentations, videos, and discussion. At the end of the course there are five assessments to be carried out. The written, visual and game meat hygiene are taken in the classroom and then the shooting and safety assessments taken in a simulated stalking environment. Successful candidates are awarded a DSC 1 Certificate.
NORTHUMBERLAND, Otterburn 16-19 August
YORKSHIRE, Nr Ilkley 1-2 & 15-16 September
DEVON, Hartland 13-16 September
NORTHERN IRELAND, Ballykinler 15-16 & 22-23 September
MIDLOTHIAN, Edinburgh 15-16 & 22-23 September
SHROPSHIRE, Shrewsbury 24-27 September
NORFOLK, Watton 4-7 October
HAMPSHIRE, Fordingbridge 4-7 October
CORNWALL, Bodmin 18-21 October
GLOUCESTERSHIRE, Cirencester 27-28 Oct & 3-4 Nov
SUSSEX, WADHURST 22-25 November
BDS DEER MANAGEMENT COURSE - Cost £390
Delivered by specialist instructors, this course is spread over 5 days and focuses on the requirements to manage a wild deer population. It includes population and habitat assessment through to appropriate cull planning and the formation of a written deer management report.
Students passing the examination are awarded the BDS Deer Management Certificate.
SUSSEX, Wadhurst 22-26 October
NORTHUMBERLAND, Otterburn 12-16 November
DSC 2 PORTFOLIO EVIDENCE GATHERING SCHEME
This scheme provides members who are DSC2 candidates, an opportunity to gather evidence for their portfolios. This will be under the observation of a DMQ Accredited Witness with known costs in advance and with no financial surprises.
Candidates wishing to utilise the facility will be required to pay a one off administration fee to BDS of £72. Each witnessed outing will be charged at £50 (payable direct to the Accredited Witness) and will include completion of a portfolio covering the performance criteria witnessed during an outing. A cull fee of £35 per deer shot will be charged irrespective of species, sex, age or quality and this charge will additionally apply to wounded animals that are not recovered.
Book on: 01425 655434
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6. DEER BACK AT THE ROUNDABOUT
From the Halifax Courier 04/07/2007
A FAMILY of deer has returned to a busy town-centre roundabout.
The RSPCA has been inundated with calls from motorists who spotted the adult female and fawn living on Burdock Way roundabout, Halifax.
Denise Hill, from the RSPCA, said: "The deer seem quite happy and healthy on the roundabout. It has come back so it must feel safe so we are not taking any action. We appreciate everybody's concern, but it is coping with the traffic and it would be far more stressful to move it.
"People are surprised to see it, but there are a lot more deer about coming nearer to the town centre. They have been spotted in Copley, Sowerby Bridge, and even Eureka car park."
A pair of deer was sighted on the roundabout last year and it is believed the doe returned in early June. Deer go back to the same place every year to give birth. One motorist said the animals could be fallow deer but Carolyn Vickery, from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said: "We suspect they are roe deer. There are a lot about at the moment."
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7. HISTORY, ECOLOGY & ARCHAEOLOGY OF MEDIEVAL PARKS & PARKLANDS CONFERENCE
Parklands Conference at Sheffield Hallam University
Monday 17th to Wednesday 19th September 2007
This major national event will feature key speakers from across Britain, on themes from parkland history, to veteran trees and their ecology and management, to the uses and economics of medieval parks, and the conservation of parks today. This will be a cross-disciplinary meeting that will appeal to historians, archaeologists, ecologists, and conservationists. Furthermore, it will be of great interest to anyone fascinated by ancient wooded landscapes and by veteran trees.
Although we feature key practitioners and authorities in the line-up of speakers, the conference will be accessible and interesting for all those in relevant areas of education, and the enthusiastic amateur too. There will be a sumptuous conference dinner hosted at Chatsworth in Derbyshire, and there will be pre-published proceedings from the event. This landmark conference will also be used to launch a major new book on medieval deer parks.
The conference will be a series of plenary lectures, with opportunities for poster papers, for displays, and a themed book fair. The conference excursion will be to the famous park landscape at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, and links to the Conference Dinner. This promises to be a hugely informative and entertaining three days!
Day ONE includes:
- Deer Parks in South Yorkshire: The Documentary and Landscape Evidence - Professor Melvyn Jones
- A Historic and Archaeological survey of Cornish deer and ornamental parks - Peter Herring
- Deer Parks in Scotland: A Neglected Heritage - Christopher Dingwall
- The Rise and Fall of British Deer Parks: their Raison D'etre in a Global and Historical Perspective - Dr. John Fletcher
- Recreation or Production?- Peter Weatherhead & Dr Ian Rotherham
Full 3 day programme and booking form:
http://www.ukeconet.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4&Itemid=26
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8. TWO ESCAPED DEER ARE TO BE SHOT
From the BBC News website 13/07/2007
Two deer which escaped from a community farm after vandals wrecked fencing, are to be shot dead.
The fallow deer were among four which got out of Greenmeadow farm in Cwmbran, Torfaen.
One returned on its own but another was found dead - believed to have been killed by amateur hunters.
Expert marksman are to be brought in to shoot the other two after they were spotted wandering on a busy road and efforts to bring them back failed.
The deer were able to escape from the farm, which is open to the public, after vandals damaged the fence to their enclosure last month.
One deer returned to the farm and another was found dead, but an adult and a young deer are still wandering in the area.
Efforts have been made to lure the deer back to the farm but an abundance of food has hampered the operation.
It is accepted the deer pose a serious risk of causing a road traffic accident and potential serious injury to the public
Torfaen council
There are now fears that the deer could cause a road crash after several near misses with cars when they wandered on a busy main road nearby.
It is also feared that amateur hunters will attempt to track the two deer in the woodland at a time when children are likely to be playing in the area with the onset of the summer holidays.
Peter Scott, manager at Greenmeadow Community Farm, said: "We are making every possible effort to entice the deer safely back into the farm."
'Serious risk'
Efforts to recapture the animals and also getting close enough to the animals to use tranquiliser darts have proved very difficult.
"All the professional advice we have received suggests felling is now the only course of action which has been a very difficult decision for everyone concerned," said Mr Scott.
"Farm staff are monitoring the movement of the deer and attempting to contain them in a section of woodland."
A spokesman for Torfaen Council said: "Since the deer escaped we have received calls from several car drivers who have reported near misses along Thornhill Road.
"It is accepted the deer pose a serious risk of causing a road traffic accident and potential serious injury to the public."
Gwent Police said road and path closures would be put in place during attempts to recapture the deer and advised the public not to look for the animals "as they could be easily frightened".
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9. DEER RESCUED FROM SWIMMING POOL
From the BBC News website 17/07/2007
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/6902491.stm
A roe deer had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming trapped under the cover of a swimming pool.
An animal rescue adviser was called to the back garden of a property in Roman Road, Chilworth, Hampshire, along with firefighters on Monday afternoon.
Jim Green, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service's rural safety officer, helped free the deer by cutting the tarpaulin and using a net to lift it out.
He said they also placed a bag over the deer's head to keep it calm.
The rescue was carried out slowly and in silence to prevent the animal from panicking.
Mr Green said: "The deer did not appear badly injured and was not too traumatised by the experience.
"It was left to calm down for a few minutes before being released into the trees at the end of the garden."
He said large animal rescues are recognised as one of the most dangerous activities a firefighter will be engaged in and specialised training and equipment is essential.
During 2006, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to about 300 incidents involving animals.
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10. RAG-FORK AND THE NATIONAL TRUST PULL TOGETHER TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RAGWORT
The National Trust property of Attingham Park in Shropshire has called on the services of Doncaster based company Rag-Fork this summer in a bid to protect its deer from the highly toxic weed ragwort.
The estate was suffering from a ragwort infestation, which threatened the welfare of its herd of 200 fallow deer, which have resided in the park since the 18th Century.
Developed through a keen interest in horses, the Rag-Fork is a tool that removes ragwort, completely by its roots, vastly reducing the risk of re-growth. It uses an innovative leverage elbow and fulcrum action to remove the whole plant effortlessly, without the use of chemicals or herbicides. Its' compact design also helps reduce the risk of back strain.
The Rag-Fork can also be used to remove other problem weeds such as thistles, which can cause serious injuries to the mouths of deer calves, particularly fallow.
