VOLUNTEERING |
© Jon Farmer
Hitting headlines... Nothing to grouse about - media highlights IN the last quarter our press teams have hit new heights with our press coverage. Our news stories were featured in more than 500 media outlets with a readership circulation of: nationals – 8 million; regionals – 4 million; trade – 236,000; broadcast – l.6 million; and consumer – 3 million.
GWCT hits the headlines THIS continuing upward trend has included more letters in the nationals and general research stories in the national, regional and consumer press. OUR Glorious 12th story tackled a new study that showed how grouse moor management benefits hen harriers. The timing of this was perfect as it counteracted the latest hen harrier extinction story published by the RSPB. WE also generated considerable interest in the national, regional as well as broadcast media on a recent black grouse story which highlighted that their breeding success has been record-breaking this season. OUR Campaign for Game, recently launched at the CLA Game Fair to wide acclaim, is generating considerable interest within the sporting press. GREY partridges hit the headlines when we showed that a moratorium on shooting has helped their recovery this year. Importantly, it helped to raise awareness of submitting autumn counts to our Partridge Count Scheme.
For the latest updates REMEMBER to follow us on Facebook Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) for the latest news and offers. YOU can also follow us on Twitter @Gameandwildlife where we highlight the latest events and the topics that are important to you. KEEP up-to-date by regularly visiting www.gwct.org.uk/news. IF you have a news story that should be covered please contact Morag Walker on 01425 651000 or Katrina Candy in Scotland on 01738 554822.
The Julian Gardner winners 2013
Our 2013 photographic competition, in memory of Sussex farmer Julian Gardner, was a huge success. (Main) Martin Munn’s winning adult entry of a ladybird in a tulip; (Inset L-R) Junior winner Christopher Page’s woodland scene; runner-up - Graham Dixon’s brown hare; Environment Minister, Richard Benyon presenting runner-up Eloise RuxBurton with a print of her picture at the CLA Game Fair. Entries are now open for next year - please go to www.gwct.org.uk/photocompetition for more details.
Following the triumph of the Nottinghamshire countryside day, Chris and Julia Butterfield want to share the key to its success with other county groups.
Three cheers for volunteers
W
e rely on volunteer fundraisers like Chris Butterfield, a Nottinghamshire committee member, to enable our valuable research to continue. Here we show how teamwork and careful planning can pay dividends. Chris and his family and friends raised £50,000 by staging a countryside day. The idea for the event came about because his wife Julia, said that instead of holding a private party for her big birthday, she would rather hold a couple of fundraising events in aid of her favourite charities. Chris realised that a third event could make use of the marquee and other facilities already installed. So the countryside day was named the GWCT Nottinghamshire Country Fair, the date was set and ‘save the date’ cards were sent out late last year. Invitations were sent out two months before the day, to friends, local members and nearby villages. Chris decided to offer three tiers of sponsorship to local companies, thereby fully covering all the venue, ticketing, programme, competition and catering costs. Fifty retailers came and exhibited with each one donating a percentage of their takings, and 20 teams of four entered the quadrathon (shooting, archery, fly-casting and 4x4 driving). The main arena was a hive of activity with falconry, sheepdog, dressage,
dog agility, hounds and beagle displays, providing entertainment for everyone. Afterwards Chris said: “The Fair was organised as a fun day out in the countryside for friends and their families, but it did have a serious message too. It was a great opportunity to show how the countryside is a working environment, can provide essential undisturbed habitat for wildlife and offers all sorts of recreational activities.” Chris received further support from his committee members, as well as Trust staff who helped with issues such as compliance, insurance and Gift Aid. He said: “The three events were enjoyed by over 1,700 people and raised £100,000 – seven times the lead sponsor’s commitment. This shows how effective venue cost sharing can be. The country fair helped raise awareness of the Trust’s work and in Ian Coghill’s words before the evening barbecue and auction, it enabled national GWCT staff to meet local members during a fun, constructive day out.” We would like to thank Chris and Julia Butterfield and their hardworking team for organising a fantastic day which helped spread the message of our work, as well as raising awareness of the countryside as a whole. See page 42 for photos of the day and all our other fundraising events.
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