Chairman & Vice Presidents notes on RTA's:

Update on RTA's on Cannock Chase in The Midlands

Total 158 from April 2008 to March 2009

Fallow Deer   "Doe 53"   " Doe fawn 31"     "Bucks 21 "    "Buck fawn 17"    "Pricket 19"

Red Deer        "Stag 2"     " Hind 6"

Muntjac         " 9"

Well meaning people are still feeding the deer! Feeding makes them highly susceptible to a fate suffered by those young fawns that have been found following RTA's.

Cannock Chase covers around 26 sq miles of Natural Beauty.  Call in and see the Branch display at the Marquiss Drive Visitors Centre, plus the new set of Deer skins we have obtained.

Now open, a WW1 Exhibition in a replica WW1 Hut from the 1914 - 1918. Well worth a

visit - next to the Visitors Centre.

REMINDER SHOOTING COMPETENCY** -Midlands Branch Members
From 1^st January 2009 The Ministry of Defence (MOD) require any civilian using MOD ranges(including Bisley) to hold a Certificate of Competence which will be valid for one year and require annual renewal. To enable branch members to continue shooting Midlands Branch have arranged with their current RCO's to run Certificate of Competence briefings for members. Other individuals are very welcome to enrol as BDS members to take advantage of these arrangements.  The presentation and test lasts about two hours.  The cost of the test is £10.
Important - Ten working days notice of attandance will be required.
Proposed areas for presentation & test are Shropshire/Ludlow/Staffs all final dates will be confirmed on the Branch Web Page. PLEASE REGISTER INTEREST wth Secretary.

For more info please go to:  /mod_rifle_range_competency.html

Photographic Competition.

We are running a joint Photographic competition for 2009 in a joint venture with the Deer Study Resource Centre, which will be split into two categories - Digital and Film.

Register your interest with Ian by e mail or Di. 

A very special prize for the winner - an engraved plate by David Whyman.

Training Notes

DSC LEVEL 1 -  For 2009     7/10September           Criggeon, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Register with Cheryl at Fordingbridge 01425 655434
Your Branch Training Officer is Alan Turner 01743 231959: email

Pictured are the Candidates of the last course

Yorkshire, Irish & Midlands Branch Members visiting Midlands in 2008

2009  SHOW UPDATE

Our Show season has got off to an excellent start, especially with the new DVD's (you can see two Midlands members, Mr & Mrs Dixon, just about to purchase a set) creating a lot of interest on the stand, and selling well.

Branch display at Gamekeepers Fair, with our dedicated helpers.  A big thank you to members who came and helped us set up much appreciated

The Branch is currently in possession of 2 engravings on glass by David Whyman, described by someone much higher up the social scale than myself as "the best in the world". The

generosity is beyond dispute as one piece is valued at over £600 and the other £250.  So come on you members, lets have your ideas on how to raffle the items and raise cash for Branch funds.  You can see David's work at many of our Shows.  Call and see us at the Midlands with his full range of engraved pieces.  You will be amazed.

PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR COMMTTEE ARE HERE FOR YOU, SHOULD YOU HAVE

ANY QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SECRETARY, DIANE.  SHE WILL EITHER ANSWER OR FORWARD ON TO THE APPROPRIATE MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE

Tel 07913368065 Mobile or evening 01902 710863

Email address

E-MAIL ADDRESSES

Please send us your email address, and in the subject line put "BDS Midlands" and we will be able to keep our members up to date with envents.  Or visit the Society's we site at www.bds.org.uk (hover over The BDS, then BDS in your Area and move right to Midlands branch.  Our web page is regularly updated.