West Lothian Deer Group. Over the last few weeks WLDG has undergone rapid changes. With the resignation of the group chairman, an emergency committee meeting was called. I was left as the last of the office bearers in the group. A new management committee was appointed from those present. I was elected chairman, a vice chairman and a secretary were also put in place. This new committee has gone through a massive learning curve but have been well received by the likes of Lowland Deer Network Scotland (LDNS), land owners and the other Deer Groups. We are looking to increase the training events. We are looking to increase the number of DMQ level twos available to the group, both already qualified and by training. Should forestry land become available we want local stalkers to hold the necessary qualifications to be in with a shout.
We are also looking to approach landowners, forestry groups, and land agent to forward the cause of collaborative Deer Management both through our own efforts and as members of LDNS. I am the West Lothian representative on that committee and happy to act as a voice for land owners and stalkers beyond the bounds of the group.
We have opened up this new beginning by organising an EFAW+F course on the 2nd September, already fully subscribed, and hopefully more will follow. We are approaching various bodies to try and procure land to use as a training area. The golden egg of the FES ground will always be present but hunting that goose alone has been the downfall of DGs in the past. It is not a mistake we will make again.
We have called an AGM for Monday, 18th September in the Fauldhouse Partnership building. For the existing members the meeting starts at 7.00pm (the public are welcome to attend but it is the business end of the meeting)
At 7.30 the doors will be to opened to the general public, anyone wishing to join will be given membership forms, constitution and other relevant details. We are hoping land owners, factor, foresters, land agents and estate managers will maybe take the opportunity to meet our guest for the evening.
7.45pm the Chairman will welcome and address the gathering.
8.00pm our guest, Jamie Hammond, SNH, will be given the floor.
After which, we will form a panel for a question and answer session.
We will announce a date for the following years AGM, thank our guest, thank you for attending and close the meeting.
The meeting is expected to close between 9.00pm & 9.30 pm dependent on numbers present.
It is a new beginning for the group. Fresh faces, fresh ideas, new agenda and revised constitution.
The new Email for the group is wldg@yahoo.com. Please note the old email address is now redundant and should not be used.
If you are free and have any interest in deer issues within West Lothian we would be glad to see you. Jim Paxton, chairman WLDG.
We are also looking to approach landowners, forestry groups, and land agent to forward the cause of collaborative Deer Management both through our own efforts and as members of LDNS. I am the West Lothian representative on that committee and happy to act as a voice for land owners and stalkers beyond the bounds of the group.
We have opened up this new beginning by organising an EFAW+F course on the 2nd September, already fully subscribed, and hopefully more will follow. We are approaching various bodies to try and procure land to use as a training area. The golden egg of the FES ground will always be present but hunting that goose alone has been the downfall of DGs in the past. It is not a mistake we will make again.
We have called an AGM for Monday, 18th September in the Fauldhouse Partnership building. For the existing members the meeting starts at 7.00pm (the public are welcome to attend but it is the business end of the meeting)
At 7.30 the doors will be to opened to the general public, anyone wishing to join will be given membership forms, constitution and other relevant details. We are hoping land owners, factor, foresters, land agents and estate managers will maybe take the opportunity to meet our guest for the evening.
7.45pm the Chairman will welcome and address the gathering.
8.00pm our guest, Jamie Hammond, SNH, will be given the floor.
After which, we will form a panel for a question and answer session.
We will announce a date for the following years AGM, thank our guest, thank you for attending and close the meeting.
The meeting is expected to close between 9.00pm & 9.30 pm dependent on numbers present.
It is a new beginning for the group. Fresh faces, fresh ideas, new agenda and revised constitution.
The new Email for the group is wldg@yahoo.com. Please note the old email address is now redundant and should not be used.
If you are free and have any interest in deer issues within West Lothian we would be glad to see you. Jim Paxton, chairman WLDG.
