THE BDS NORTH WEST BRANCH

Branch AGM

As promised, this year’s A.G.M. will have a Guest Speaker. Alastair Boston of the D.I. has agreed to come and give us a talk and presentation. The content, which I am not going to disclose, will be of interest to all Stalkers and those with deer at heart. I believe there will be slides and interaction with Alastair. Enough said. Come to the meeting on March 6^th as we need to know your views as to how the Branch is run.

Photography

Entries are still being taken for the Branch Photography Competition. Entry is free to branch members and there will be a new trophy and a voucher for the winner. The subject of the photo must be wild or park deer, UK native species in any situation. Committee member Judy Richardson is organising the event.  

Eskdalemuir Range Day

Our third visit to Gardeners Long Range. The date has been pencilled in for Saturday, June 20^th.  with a cost of £50-00 per Member. (£55-00 for non-members.) There is a new range which goes out to 2Km but the aim is to see what you and your kit are capable of on paper and gongs. Not on something with a pulse! To book a place initially contact the Secretary (e-mail or telephone) and get more details. Places may be restricted as the N.E.Branch has been invited to attend. Bring your own food but refreshments will be provided.

NEW Stalkers

The average age of Stalkers has for some time been increasing and the problem seems to be getting youngsters interested in Stalking and deer welfare. As we all know cost is an important factor. It is seriously restrictive to youngsters wanting to get into Stalking. It costs nothing to take someone out to sit in a hide or doe box with you. It’s a start to what could be a life long interest. We have been contacted by two Scout Groups to put on a Rabbit skinning and Back Wood Cookery event and so have incorporated Deer into the programme. Venison sausages are also on the menu. They will be given free deer recognition hand outs and be shown how through the B.D.S. app. they can help us with the next Deer Survey.  

Deer Initiative

No doubt everyone read in the Autumn Issue that the DI is to close at the end of March. Say Deer Initiative and the first thing that comes to mind is the name Alastair Boston. There are many who could say more about Alastair but I’ll do my best. As long as I can remember, he has been at the forefront of organising events for stalkers in the North West, and if he wasn’t organising he was there giving a helping hand. As an RCO he was there to help on Range Days or arranging Best Practice Evenings with an array of interesting speakers and Best Practice week-ends with lots of interest for stalkers. Alastair also gave out attendance certificates for BP days for those doing their Skills Awards and fronted the South Lakes DMG Young Stalkers Day where the raffle turned into entertainment on its own.

One thing that Alastair will be remembered for is the MALMO Stalkers Evening. This must have been the largest event of its kind in the country. It raised many thousands of pounds for the NW Air Ambulance and Injured Servicemen. Everyone at MALMO, the BDS and BASC supported this event and it was a credit to all involved. Many Thanks to Nick Jackson as well!

Alastair Boston, on behalf of everyone in the North West branch, we thank you.