Arb and bats course, Somerset

[bats-n-trees]

forgot to mention I could organise a veteran tree run in Herefordshire for all the bikers out there.Think amazing trees,amazing roads, local speed camera knowledge !!!!.Trees to climb.What more do you want ?? Some bat tuition-not compulsory of course !!!!!!

[rapidlee]

i signed up for the course in somerset last year. its a LANTRA ticket i think. dont think i can justify it this year. would like to.

[samarb]

Been in contact with btc and can offer the course for £100 per person which includes lantra cert work books and other btc publications. For this price we would have to bring own food and sort out venue (which is easy) and secure 20 places. I think this is generous for what is a charity and hope we can get numbers to come. Please message here if your interested and we'll keep the course in somerset inless there is more call to it be held else where. Sam

Edited March 18, 2011 by samarb

[evergreen]

Well negotiated Sam, where in Somerset do you think it could be held if you get 20 people. I will put my name down if not too far away from me.

Cheers Nick

[samarb]

I'm getting names first then decide as group where is best for all of us to travel.

[rapidlee]

im interested. im from south east somerset near wincanton. keep me posted

[evergreen]

For want of ressurecting an old post, Im attempting to do the Arb and Bats course again, BCT always seem to cancel the courses in the West due to poor numbers. This time Im hoping to go to Margam Park, S Wales on 25th May. There are 5 people booked onto the course, BCT need 5 more to run the course, any takers?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Any course that leads to a greater awareness of the world we work in is worthwhile.But in reality you will not be an expert on the subject of bats in trees in a day.Just think. Are you safe to swing a chainsaw after a day ? One day will give you a level of awareness that you did not have before, and anybody that hands over their own money to go on a course is obviously interested in the subject matter and will usually readily absorb information.

 

Sadly any certificate of attendance on a day bat course will not cut too much mustard with Natural England. I reckon to date it has cost me the best part of £7,000 to get my Natural England and CCW (Wales ) scientific bat licences. Plus the many hours of voluntary bat work.and so on.

 

Having attended a good many courses over a wide variety of subjects ,whilst most have brought heightened awareness of the subject matter ,very few have enabled me to bring in extra work and a led directly to increased earnings.

 

Being cynical the usual 10-15 attendees paying £120 each looks quite a good earner to me. Maybe I should think about running bat awareness courses myself. Thinks ! 20 really interested guys @ £90 each-not a bad days work -and fun !!. and I could find really good sites around the country with actual roosts etc. I could go on. Anyone interested ?

 

I am! say when and where and im in.

[Treecreeper1961]

Thanks for that.I am a BCT member so should have realized where you got the info from. Of course If I had used the link I would not have wasted your time. Humble apologies

 

Richard Crompton used to be the trainer on these courses.He was one of my trainers for my Natural England Scientific bat licence.

 

He is a great guy.One of the best in the bat world in my opinion. Wealth of knowledge on bats and trees.No ego, no put downs, never tires of answering questions and imparting knowledge.

 

I have attended two courses led by Richard Crompton, Protected Species and Bats and Arboriculture. He is a fantastic educator, really good bloke.

[evergreen]

Do you think we may be able to get Richard Crompton to run an Arbtalkers Bat Course?