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| Press Releases |
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| Please click on a link below to go to the press release that you require. |
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| - Uckfield deer rescue |
| - Reward offered to catch Swan Killer |
| - Wildlife Ambulance with no Ambulance! |
| - Hedgehog awareness week 2nd - 8th May 2004 |
| - Busy Easter pushes service almost to the limits |
| - Dog attacked seagull |
| - Rescuers called to slaughtered toads |
| - Road casualty on the mend |
| - Bentley and Swan sanctuary |
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| Uckfield deer rescue |
| Tuesday 29th June 2004 |
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| East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service rescuers were called out by Sussex Horse Rescue on Monday evening after two young lads found a baby fallow deer in a field near Uckfield.
The lads showed Pauline Grant, Sussex Horse Rescue, where they had found the deer, as generally they should not be moved or touched. However, the deer was found in a field used heavily by dog walkers and the young female was exposed and out in the open instead of being hidden by long grass and vegetation.
Pauline Grant made a bed of straw in a horse box for the young deer and waited for Trevor Weeks, East Sussex WRAS Rescue Co-ordinator to arrive to assess the deer.
On arrival the deer was found to be slightly underweight and with blood around the anus and genitals. The gum colour was also slightly pale. Trevor phoned St Tiggywinkles, the first European Wildlife Teaching Hospital, based in Buckinghamshire for advice.
They decided the deer should be placed on to a drip and taken to them as soon as possible.
Trevor transferred the deer to his temporary ambulance and drove to Brighton where he met WRAS rescuer Maz Smith at Priory Emergency Service. The Priory Emergency Team placed the deer onto a drip for the journey.
Maz and Trevor left Brighton at 9pm then drove the 300 mile trip to Haddenham in Buckinghamshire, where specialist veterinary staff took over the treatment. Maz and Trevor arrived back at Brighton just after 1.30am.
The deer was looking alot brighter on arrival and staff at St Tiggywinkles are hoping she will recover well.
East Sussex WRAS are currently using a tempory ambulance as their main two vehicles are currently broken down and off the road. East Sussex WRAS has launched an ambulance appeal to raise funds to purchase a new vehicle.
Anyone wanting to make a donation to East Sussex WRAS to help rescuers stay on the road can send cheques payable to "East Sussex WRAS" and sent to:
East Sussex WRAS
C/o 8 Stour Close
Stone Cross
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN24 5QU |
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| Press Contact for further information |
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| Trevor Weeks |
East Sussex WRAS |
07815 078234 |
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Sussex Horse Rescue |
01825 762010 |
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| Reward offered to catch Swan Killer |
| Wednesday 16th June 2004 |
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East Sussex WRAS and the National Swan Santuary have put together a reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for killing a swan in Eastbourne.
Sussex Police were called on Friday 11th June after a young man was seen shooting a swans on the Shinewater Park, Eastbourne. East Sussex WRAS have retrieved the body of one swan from the lake using their inflatable boat.
The dead swan has been examined by vets at the Downwood Veterinary Centre at Horam, who have confirmed that the bird died after being shot in the head twice.
Trevor Weeks of East Sussex WRAS said "I'm absolutely incensed. It takes a lot to make me angry, but this is simply outrageous. We must find out who did this and bring thewm to justice. A message must go out to these people thatsuch behaviour cannot betolerated."
A local resident, Debbie Message, who serves on the North Langney Community Forum, is also setting up a Friends of Shinewater Park Action Group to help give animal abusers the boot.
"If anyone- whatever age - knows who these people are, they must let someone know before it happens again" said Debbie.
Anyone with information on the incident which occured on Friday morning the 11th June should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111. |
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| Press Contact for further information |
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| Trevor Weeks |
East Sussex WRAS |
07815 078234 |
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| Wildlife Ambulance with no Ambulance! |
| Tuesday 25th May 2004 |
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East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service is franticly launching an Ambulance Appeal after its main ambulance and a second smaller vehicle have broken down and need too much money spending on them to keep them running.
David Drury, of Vines Cross Engineers, who have been repairing WRAS's main ambulance for free said “Trevor's ambulance has had numerous problems and had to come in for repairs every few week for the past few months. It is now not feasible to keep it running as the repairs are becoming too frequent and too expensive.”
Trevor Weeks, WRAS Rescue Co-ordinator said “The appeal is aimed at raising money to fund two second hand vehicles. We are desperately in need of a replacement transit van and a second smaller estate car. The fund will pay for the purchase of the vehicles as well as sign writing for these two vehicles plus an existing vehicle and new/additional equipment for the three vehicles.”
Several deer rescues have had to be turned down due to problems with vehicles during 2004. On a few occasions this year both of Trevor's vehicles have been off the road, putting him out of action completely. Senior Rescuers Val and Murrae Hume have also experienced vehicle problems which have reduced their availability too. All this has caused annoying delays and reduced the number of casualties that WRAS could deal with.
During 2003 East Sussex WRAS volunteers claimed £1,724 in motoring expenses, however WRAS volunteers spent well over £3,000 throughout the year in petrol and oil but decided not to claim the rest.
As an organisation which specializes in front-line rescue and first-aid WRAS rescuers spent a lot of time driving around the county. It is estimated that over 30,000 miles are driven a year by WRAS rescuers undertaking rescues and transporting casualties.
One of the vehicles will be a transit van or similar and be permanently at the disposal of Trevor being the Rescue Co-ordinator. This will be based partially at Hailsham and Seaford . Many people have questioned why WRAS needs such a large vehicle. The current large ambulance has proved extremely useful providing a place for Trevor to sleep out on-site like at the Monckton Marshes, Kent, when over 200 swans hit power cables; it has proved useful for fundraising events and displays; has helped with the transportation of large animals like the Newhaven dolphin and transportation of 15 swans from the Swan Sanctuary back to Sussex.
The other new vehicle will vary in driver and be based at a variety of locations but mainly Brighton, Peacehaven and Eastbourne . The third privately owned vehicle will be sign written and equipped and be based at Seaford and Lewes.
Costs for the project have been worked out at approximately £8,650. In order to help fund the vehicles, any individual or company that donates £500 or more will have their name displayed on one of the vehicles.
Chairman Murrae Hume said “Your support is essential to keep WRAS dealing with the ever-increasing level of calls and casualties. So far in 2004 casualty numbers have been up by at least 25% on last year. Already volunteers and resources are being pushed when the current vehicles break down and are off the road for repairs. Please help keep WRAS on the road!”
The Appeal is being backed by International Animal Rescue, based at Uckfield. Alan Knight Chief Executive said “I've know Trevor and East Sussex WRAS since the Sea Empress Oil Spill in March 1996 when we worked together helping to rescue and treat oiled sea birds. WRAS volunteers undertake a valuable role helping wildlife which does not have anyone else to speak out and help them.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to WRAS's Ambulance Appeal can send donations to East Sussex WRAS, C/o 8 Stour Close, Stone Cross, East Sussex , BN24 5QU. |
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| Press Contact for further information |
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| Trevor Weeks |
East Sussex WRAS |
07815 078234 |
| Alan Knight |
International Animal Rescue |
01825 767688 |
| David Dury |
Vines Cross Engineers |
01435 812819 |
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| Hedgehog awareness week 2nd - 8th May 2004 |
| Wednesday 28th April 2004 |
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East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service have organised a small road show display across the county for Hedgehog Awareness Week – 2nd – 8th May 2004.
Hedgehog Awareness Week is organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and the aim of the week is to encourage people to create hedgehog friendly gardens and to help reduce the risks hedgehogs face in our gardens.
Hedgehogs are known as “The gardeners best friend” due to their diet consisting of slugs, snails, beetles and other insects and creatures which gardeners hate. Unfortunately many gardeners use slug pellets and as a consequence thousands of hedgehogs die from eating the poisoned slugs.
East Sussex WRAS, in association with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, have produced a leaflet which can help point gardeners in the right direction towards making gardens safer for hedgehogs. These will be available at the road show events as well as other leaflets on hedgehog friendly products and slug control.
WRAS Rescue Co-ordinator Trevor Weeks will be at most of the events to help advise and answer questions on hedgehog problems . “One additional point we will be stressing to everyone is not to feed hedgehogs bread and milk,” expressed Trevor Weeks, “ it is an old wives tale and most types of milk are bad for the hedgehogs digestive system. “ |
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| The road show events will be at the following locations: |
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| Sunday 2nd May |
Wyevale Garden Centre, Warren Road, Brighton |
| Monday 3rd May |
Wyevale Garden Centre, Newhaven Road, Kingston Nr Lewes |
| Wednesday 5th May |
Peacehaven Library, Meridian Centre, Peacehaven (Morning only) |
| Thursday 6th May |
Quintins Shopping Centre, Hailsham |
| Saturday 8h May |
Wyevale Garden Centre, Bexhill Road, St Leonards-on-Sea |
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| Press Contact for further information |
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| Trevor Weeks |
East Sussex WRAS |
07815 078234 |
| British Hedgehog Preservation Society |
01584 890801 |
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| Busy Easter pushes service almost to the limits |
| Tuesday 13th April 2004 |
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| Volunteer rescuers have dealt with their busiest Easter weekend EVER, requiring several volunteers to work more than 12 hours a day and driving hundreds of miles dealing with casualties across East Sussex. |
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| WRAS rescuers dealt with over 37 casualties throughout the four day Easter Holiday: |
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| 6 Road casualty seagulls |
1 Tawny owl |
| 4 Injured badgers |
1 Porpoise |
| 4 Fox cubs |
1 Collard dove |
| 4 Injured pigeons |
1 Starling |
| 4 Oiled seabirds |
1 Adult fox |
| 3 Poorly hedgehogs |
1 Canada Goose |
| 2 Injured ducks |
1 Pheasant |
| 2 Injured Squirrels |
1 Road casualty dog |
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The road casualty seagulls were reported in various towns between Hastings and Brighton .
The badger casualties were on the A27 Brighton Bypass and A27 Folkington (Nr Polegate) as well as on the B2203 just south of Heathfield and on Manor Hill, Whitehawk, Brighton.
In just eight days WRAS has dealt with 6 fox cubs which is more than last years total ! 4 of them over the Easter Weekend. Two were badly injured by cats.
Volunteers try to reunite cub with mum.
WRAS volunteers spent hours on Sunday night trying to re-unite one cub with her mum. The cub was found in a coal bunker shouting for her mum. WRAS volunteers checked over the garden and the coal bunker to see whether the mum had deposited her there for safe keeping, but there was no way mum could have got inside the bunker.
Rescuers got the cub to Lindy King at Telcombe Cliffs for a feed, before taking her back in the evening to see if mum would come back for her. Unfortunately kids letting off fireworks did not help and mum never returned so the little cub “Georgina” was take in for hand rearing.
Porpoise sparks beach search.
WRAS received a call to a stranded porpoise on Eastbourne seafront on Friday night. Rescuers searched the beach between the Redoubt fort and the inshore lifeboat station but could not find any sign of the mammal. British Divers Marine Life Rescue were informed and a search continued in daylight the following morning. Rescuers were even joined by the crew of the Birling Gap Safety Boat who helped check the Beachy Head Coastline. Unfortunately nothing was found.
Oiled Seabirds.
It is very unusual to be getting oiled seabirds coming ashore at this time of year. Normally the season has finished by now. 6 oiled seabirds have been dealt with in the last week.
Volunteers long hard days.
WRAS volunteer rescuers have put in more than 72 hours of time responding to call-outs over the four day Easter Break. Rescue Co-ordinator Trevor Weeks and Chairman Murrae Hume and his wife Val have been on call over Easter and have driven over 600 miles between them.
“We were due at the Sussex Horse Rescue Easter Fair at Uckfield on Sunday but due to the workload it was impossible” said Trevor Weeks, “the earliest I have finished this week has been about 1am in the morning. We even had a call at 2.30am on Saturday morning to a road casualty badger at Heathfield.”
“This has been the busiest Easter Weekend we have ever experienced” expressed WRAS Chairman Murrae Hume, “ I was going to work on Sunday but moved my shift to help deal with the workload. This is normally a fairly quiet time of year and we have several volunteers away at present.”
WRAS has worked very closely with Kingfisher Wildlife Rescue at Telscombe Cliffs who have been very supportive and also been working very long hours taking on casualties and feeding the fox cubs on a regular basis.
Some casualties have also gone to Folly Wildlife Rescue at Crowborough and the RSPCA Mallydams Centre at Hastings . |
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| Press Contact for further information |
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| Trevor Weeks |
East Sussex WRAS |
07815 078234 |
| Lindy King |
Kingfisher Wildlife Rescue |
07815 182666 |
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Pictures are available from Lindy King, on the above number, of the fox cubs and other wildlife currently in care. |
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| Dog attacked seagull |
| Tuesday 16th March 2004 |
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The owner of a dog which attacked and seriously injured a little gull, ignored the birds welfare and then placed the seriously injured bird the water and left is believed to have committed an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act according to East Sussex WRAS.
WRAS rescuers were called out to the lake at Hailsham Country Park next to Gleneagles Drive at 5.30pm, on Saturday 14th February, by another dog walker who saw the attack take place. After shouting at his dog the owner picked up the gull and placed it into the water of the lake and then kept walking.
“This is ignorance at its worst”, stated County Rescue Co-ordinator Trevor Weeks.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act it is illegal to let your dog cause injury or distress to any bird.
After a torch light search of the lake WRAS rescuers found and caught the injured gull and took it to the Downwood Veterinary Centre at Horam for treatment. Veterinary Surgeon Robin Hooper examined the bird and diagnosed serious internal injuries, which could not be treated. He had no option but to put the bird to sleep to prevent any further suffering.
“I thought we were supposed to be a country of animal lovers. I do not blame the dog, but the owner should have kept his dog under tighter control”, stated Trevor Weeks, “to make matters worse this gentleman then had no thought for the bird and just left it in the water. I do not understand this course of action. If an animal or bird is serious injured you should call East Sussex WRAS or your veterinary centre for advice as soon as possible. After all if that had been another dog or even a person which had received crush wounds they would have gone straight to the vet or hospital. No living creature deserves to suffer like this“.
East Sussex WRAS is urging people to contact their rescue line for advice if they find an injured casualty 24 hours a day.
“If you find a casualty and you think it is in a bad way, do not be ignorant and think I'll leave it be and see if it is still alive in the morning, phone WRAS or your vet straight away. Get advice straight away – do not wait,.” says Trevor Weeks.
East Sussex WRAS have reported the incident to Sussex Police's Wildlife Liaison Co-ordinator Sgt Paul Brownjohn as well as informing Hailsham Town Council who own the site. |
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| Rescuers called to slaughtered toads |
| Tuesday 16th March 2004 |
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East Sussex Rescuers were called out to help loads of toads on the Littlington to Exceat lane along the Cuckmere Valley on Monday night.
Over 75 toads died on the lane as they tried to cross the lane getting to their historic spawning grounds on the Cuckmere Flood plains.
Every year toads migrate from the hibernation homes in Friston Forest out to the drainage dyke next to the Cuckmere River to mate and spawn.
Rescuers wearing reflective jackets and using torches only managed to save 12 live females and 14 live males crossing the road on Monday night (15th March 2004).
Thousands of toads die crossing roads in Sussex every year. The Sussex Amphibian & Reptile Group (SARG) who co-ordinate the Toad Crossing Sites in Sussex have volunteers visiting and helping at numerous sites across the county but are in desperate need of more volunteers to help.
East Sussex County Council have also erected a toad fence along the edge of the A275 Offham Road near Lewes, to help prevent toads being run over. Volunteers from SARG are having to pick the toads up from behind the fence and move them across the road to safety.
“I've been involved in toad patrols and crossings since the mid-1990s,” said Trevor Weeks, WRAS Rescue Co-ordinator, “The numbers being found are no where near as high as they used to, which is what makes it even more important that we safely move those that are left.”
The problem with Toad Migration Patrols is that they occur once dark and normally when the temperature is 3°C or above and it is wet, drizzle or raining! Anyone interested in helping out with a toad patrol will need a bucket, torch, Wellington boots, and plastic gloves.
For Further Information those interested can contact SARG's Toad Patrol Co-ordinator Jenny Bacon on 01825 890236. |
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| Press Contact for further information |
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| Jenny Bacon |
SARG |
01825 890236 |
| Trevor Weeks |
East Sussex WRAS |
07815 078234 |
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| Pictures can be arranged on request on the Littlington to Exceat Road or at the Toad fencing at Offham Road, Lewes by contacting Trevor Weeks or Jenny Bacon on the above numbers. |
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| Road casualty on the mend |
| Tuesday 2nd March 2004 |
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Hazel, a road casualty badger, is starting to come round after being hit on the dangerous A27 Firle Straight, near Lewes.
It is a joint effort looking after Hazel as she is currently being cared for by East Sussex WRAS and Kingfisher Wildlife Rescue using a Mid-Sussex Badger Protection Group pen north of Brighton.
WRAS Chairman, Murrae Hume rescued the badger on Sunday 29th February. She had received a blow to the head and passed out dazed and concussed on the side of the road. Rescuers took the badger to the Downwood Veterinary Centre at Horam to see veterinary surgeon Robin Hooper, who has built up much experience dealing with badgers working alongside East Sussex WRAS.
Initially it could not be ruled out whether Hazel was pregnant, so Robin was limited on the medication he could use. A low dose of pain killer and anti-biotic were given and Hazel was transported to the badger pen.
“Hazel has been extremely lucky,” said Lindy King, of Kingfisher Wildlife Rescue, “she has received a nasty blow to the head and as a result has caused damage to her eye. There was initially bleeding from the eye and the lens had been dislodged slightly. It is possible she may not recover her full vision in that eye, but we are keeping our fingers crossed.” |
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| Increased numbers of road casualties. |
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“It is estimated that over 50,000 badgers are killed on roads in Britain each year” says Elaine King, Chief Executive, National Federation of Badger Group. East Sussex WRAS rescuers are being kept busy at this time of year dealing with road casualties.
So far this year East Sussex WRAS rescuers have been called out to or stopped and checked 15 dead road casualty badgers and 6 live road casualties, plus two other injured badgers that are suspected as being ill and emaciated due to being previously hit on roads. Many others go unreported.
“This is approximately 30% more that last years casualty figures”, stated Trevor Weeks, Rescue Co-ordinator for East Sussex WRAS.
East Sussex WRAS has also dealt with 11 road casualty foxes, 5 road casualty seagulls, 5 road casualty deer, 3 road casualty swans, 2 road casualty Pied Wagtails and a road casualty mallard duck, jackdaw, pigeon and dove so far this year.
Road casualty badgers have been found on the usual sites like the A259 between Exceat and Friston; A22 between Polegate and Boship Roundabout; A22 Whitesmith; A27 Firle Straight; A27 Lewes By-pass and along to Falmer; A27 Brighton By-pass near Patcham and Westdene; A267 between Boship roundabout and Horam and the A271 between Battle and Herstmonceux.
It is not just the busy A roads which badger casualties occur. Frequently casualties are found on roads like the C7 between Lewes and Newhaven; the back road between Upper Dicker and Berwick Railway Station plus Alfriston Road, Seaford.
However, this year has seen some unusual sites for badger road casualties like South Road, Hailsham; Alfriston village and Saltdean Vale, Saltdean.
“Most motorists expect to come across badgers crossing roads in rural areas only, but many crossing points exist in towns too,” expressed Trevor Weeks, “ there is one crossing point on the A2021 not far from Eastbourne District General Hospital . There are several crossing points on Telscombe Road , Peacehaven too. The more we develop into the countryside the more damage we inflict on our wildlife.”
East Sussex WRAS and the Southdowns Badger Protection Group would like to see improvements made to the A27 Firle Straight to make it safer. “A few years ago, a gentleman died on the A27 after swerving his car to avoid a badger crossing the road. His car turned over and was hit by another oncoming car”, said Des Carr, of the Southdowns Badger Protection Group, “ the A27 is a dangerous road for both humans and badgers and something should be done to improve its safety.” |
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| Press Contact for further information |
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| Trevor Weeks |
East Sussex WRAS |
07815 078234 |
| Lindy King |
Kingfisher Wildlife Rescue |
07815 182666 |
| Des Carr |
Southdown Badger Protection Group |
01323 895742 |
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| National Federation of Badger Groups |
0207 228 6444 |
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www.badger.org.uk |
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| Bentley and Swan sanctuary |
| Monday 2nd February 2004 |
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Dear Letters Page,
I have read with interest the articles on Bentley Wildfowl and its possible closure.
I know that the National Swan Sanctuary, based at Egham in Surrey , is currently looking for a new home and to expand their enterprise to include a visitor centre and tourist attraction.
East Sussex WRAS works very closely with the sanctuary and many of the injured swans and specialist water fowl that are dealt with in the south east of England are taken to their specialist facilities at Egham due to their knowledge and expertise.
The Bentley Wildfowl site would be ideal location for the Swan Sanctuary and I believe they have the knowledge and experience to take on such a site and improve it.
Dot Beesom, founder of the Swan Sanctuary, was awarded the British Empire Medal a few years ago in recognition for her work in rescuing sick and injured swans. Dot was also awarded the Pride of Britain Award for work in conservation of wildlife. Both Dot and her colleagues are well respected across the United Kingdom and even give advice on an international level. The sanctuary has a good working relationship with Her Majesty's Swan Marker and are licensed by the Lord Chamberlains Office to rescue and treat swans.
We feel that the Swan Sanctuary should be given a chance to take on Bentley Wildfowl and to expand and improve the centre. Dot Beesom and Steve Knight who run the Swan Sanctuary are extremely down to earth people who care passionately about swans, wildlife and waterfowl and already have the experience of running a large sanctuary.
East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service are just one of many organisation across the county who would be delighted to see the Swan Sanctuary move to East Sussex.
I could not think of a better registered charity which could take on Bentley Wildfowl. They would improve and expand the site not only as a tourist attraction, but also as an educational facility that I am sure schools and colleges within the county would take advantage of and find extremely interesting and valuable.
For further information on the Swan Sanctuary you can visit their web-site at www.swanuk.org.uk.
Yours sincerely
Trevor Weeks - County Rescue Co-ordinator |
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