THE BDS NORTHERN IRELAND BRANCH
Information on the British Deer Society (BDS) Northern Ireland branch including events, news, and contacts.
BRANCH Area AND COMMITTEE

BRANCH CONTACTS
Chair | John Hetherington | chairman@bdsni.org.uk |
Secretary | Osmond Gurgan | o.gurgan@bdsbranches.org.uk |
BRANCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chair and Deer Recorder: John Hetherington
Vice-Chair and Treasurer: Adrian Fitzsimons
Secretary: Osmond Gurgan
Training Officer: Eric Rosborough
Media Liaison: Martin Malone
Education Officer: Jodie Donnelly
Deer Research Officer: Prof. Jaimie Dick
BRANCH AREAS
Postcode | Area |
BT | Belfast |
EVENTS
Please note that branch events may not be going ahead due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Please note that you will receive full details of all these events via email but if in the meantime you wish to enquire about any of them please e-mail me at secretary@bdsni.org.uk
Date
Event
24th Mar 7:30PM
WEBINAR: Meet the Sponsor Blaser Special (Online)
Next Event
WEBINAR: Meet the Sponsor Blaser Special
24/03/2021 7:30 PM
Opportunity to meet one of our sponsors' Blaser and find out more about them and how they will be supporting the British Deer Society. The Panel To be confirmed Ask a Question If you would like to ask a question in advance please email info@bds.org.uk
NEWS
The Game Banquet
For the seventh year running, the branch sponsored a Gala Game Banquet organised by the Ulster Reform Club for its members and guests. We support this event as part of the branch’s promotional strategy aimed at taking the BDS message to a wider audience than we can reach through our presence at game fairs and similar activities.
The Branch donates a carcass of wild venison which the Club’s Head Chef uses to create the centrepiece main course of a truly fine dining occasion. Greg Kane, representing BDS-NI, delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the work of the BDS, the various deer species found in Northern Ireland, and the importance of deer management. Additionally, the Branch Chair very generously donates a case of wine as the first prize for a ballot held in aid of Belfast’s St Anne’s Cathedral Christmas Appeal which underpins a range of local charities doing essential community work but which are too small to afford professional fundraising support.
Gralloching and Butchery Demonstration
This took place at the farm of our Branch Chairman, John Hetherington, on March 2, 2019, This event is what we now refer to as a “Carlsberg Event”. Yes, you guessed it. This was probably the best event of the year and was the one we received the most positive feedback from you the members. Indeed, nearly everyone who attended this event wanted to know when we would run another one. You won’t have too long to wait as we hope to run a similar event soon.
At this stage I would like to pay tribute to our outgoing Chairman John Hetherington who unstintingly gives of his time and makes available his premises for many different events throughout the year. Thanks also to our committee and the membership of BDS NI for giving us yet another successful year.
Branch AGM
We are looking forward to the first event of 2020 which will, of course, be the Branch AGM. This year we are privileged to have BDS Chairman Rory Putnam come over and participate.
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

Changes to DSC1 and DSC2
Information has recently been shared relating to changes to DSC1 and DSC2 made by Deer Management Qualifications (DMQ).. These changes come into effect on April the 1st.

Relaxation of Covid-19 Restrictions
Due to the planned relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, the BDS will from March the 8th be resuming delivery of DSC1 and Deer Management Courses. Find out more.

New Video – How to Complete a Habitat Impact Assessment
The Farm Advisory Service has produced a great new video detailing How to Complete a Habitat Impact Assessment.
In the video Conservation Consultant, Helen Bibby, and Professor Rory Putman, Chair of the British Deer Society & visiting Professor at the University of Glasgow, take you through all the key steps on how to undertake a Habitat Impact Assessment.

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