This was the 25th AGM for the Bat Group and every one had a really great time. As usual we got the business part of the meeting done as quickly as possible, which left us time for fun things. Jo persuaded all and sundry to buy raffle tickets. Aidan brought with him his new home made harp trap to show the rest of us despite the difficulties of setting up a trap designed for woodland in at the back of a village hall.
Photo Jude Hirstwood
Other entertainment was provided by bat group member Eve Carroll who brought some of her beautiful pottery to show us. She had also made some bat badges and fridge magnets which were snapped up enthusiastically. You can see more of her work here
Photo Jude Hirstwood
She also brought along some of her new bat range. I took a couple of pictures at the AGM,
Eve Studio Porttery bat. Photo Jude Hirstwood
Eve Pottery Studio bat brooch Photo Eve Carroll
We also celebrated the change of Chair of the Bedfordshire Bat Group. Bob Cornes has handed the Chair of the group to Danny Fellman. We marked this with an impromptu ceremony which Kel named ” Bob’s last breath as Chair” when the pair of them blew out the candles on the cake. Bob had been Chair of the group for the past six year and felt it was best for the group to have a new Chair. He was delighted when Danny offered to take over. He will continue with his myriad other bat duties
Bob’s last breath as Bat Group Chair. Photo Hedj Dollamn
Photo Hedj Dolman The old and new Chair reflect in a job well done
During an extensive tea and cake break, people had a chance to meet the winter captives- the two valentine massacre survivors, our long term captive and the not so new born Noctule and his mum.
Noctule and pipistrelle. Photo Chantelle Kerr
Photo Jude Hirstwood
High spot of the evening was a talk by Lia Gilmour who we helped with her MSc project looking at Bechstein distibution. In what was the worst bat season for 100 years. Lia had a hard time with her fieldwork. Now she is working through innumerable sound recordings. We are going to be carrying n the quest for Bechstein’s in Bedfordshire this season and Lia has said he will be happy to come back and help out – and of course to play with Aidan’s new harp trap. An offer which we will be quick to take up
Photomontage by Lia Gilmour