In this bat group newsletter, we have:
- Bat conservation is in danger! An update on the retained EU Law Bill.
- Can you help with … requests for help with batty events?
- Our thanks to … Lush store in Taunton.
- Details of the bat group events coming up soon.
- The latest edition of the BCT Bat Group Bulletin includes news of new Research on Viruses in British Bat Species.
- A reminder about membership renewal.
- Welcome to our new Lifetime members of the Bat Group.
Bat conservation is in dangeR!
The BCT recently sent out this update:
“Thank you to everyone who wrote to their MP regarding the Retained EU Law (REUL) Bill, we know of at least 115 MPs who were contacted by you. Unfortunately, the REUL amendments (supporting the protection of species, habitats and the environment) were withdrawn in the final REUL debate in the House of Lords after the government made it clear that they would oppose them again. This means the government will have the power to change legislation with limited consultation or parliamentary scrutiny. We expect the REUL Bill will become an Act of Parliament this week.
We will now need to make sure that repeated promises made by government ministers that they will not use the Bill to weaken environmental protections are upheld. Please do add your name to our campaigns email list if you want to receive future updates: http://eepurl.com/gGqJDH.”
Can you help with …?
The bat group receives far more requests for help, than the committee can do. Hence please do let us know if you think you could help out with recent requests:
- Mendip Gardening Club would like a talk on bats in September. They meet at Ston Easton Village Hall on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30PM.
- Tutors of the A Level Environmental Science course at Yeovil College would like a talk to the class about bats and how to monitor them, and a trip for the students to get to use equipment themselves and take part in a national bat survey. May/June 2024 is suggested.
- Minehead over 55’s residents group would like a talk on bats, the group meet fortnightly on a Thursday at 2pm in Minehead.
Our thanks to …
Over the weekend of 3/4 June The Lush store in Taunton, held a fundraising charity pot party event to promote the Bat Group.
The group has just recieved a donation of £61.52 from Lush Taunton, as the proceeds from the charity pot sales over the weekend.
This is in addition to the £1400 that Lush nationally donated to the bat group in May, to buy bat boxes and ladders for use on the levels reserves.
Thank you Lush!
Bat Group events coming up!
There are lots of events planned for the summer, come along and get involved!:
- Sat 8th July – Castle Cary Big Bat Count
- Fri 14th July – Drayton Big Bat Count
- August – NBMP Waterways Surveys
- Wed 2nd Aug – Kingsdon Big Bat Count
- Fri 18th Aug – Yeovil Big Bat Count
- Tues 22nd Aug – Wells Bat walk for WDWG
- Weds 23rd Aug – Frome Big Bat Count
- Thur 24th Aug – Charlton Mackrell Big Bat Count
- Sat 26th Aug – International Bat Night – Bridgwater Big Bat Count and Walk
For details on how to join these events please see the Upcoming Events page on our website: https://somersetbat.group/events/upcoming/
Bat group bulletin
The latest BCT Bat Group Bulletin includes news of new Research on Viruses in British Bat Species.
Membership Renewal.
If you are one of the 60 people that last filled in your annual membership form in 2022, this a reminder that your subscription to the bat group lapsed at our AGM in April, and you are no longer a member of the Bat Group.
If that is the case please complete our membership form to rejoin now: https://somersetbat.group/join/
Welcome to our new Lifetime members
Somerset Bat Group Lifetime membership numbers are now been issued in order of payment of the £50 lifetime membership fee.
The group would like to warmly welcome the following Lifetime members:
- SBG 0005 – Jason