The WHT was set up by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).

The loan has been used by the Mattersey Rifle & Pistol Club to buy 43.5 acres of disused quarry. Three and a half acres will be developed into rifle ranges and the rest will remain as mixed woodland and ponds. Club members intend to work with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to manage and restore the woodland.

The cash will also help the club, which is based near Blyth, to develop the site to promote the existing rifle range facilities and to develop deer stalking courses, host Young Shots events and develop other target shooting opportunities.

Tim Russell, secretary of the WHT and director of conservation at BASC, said: “I am delighted that the WHT has been able to help secure this site for shooting and conservation. When I visited the site it quickly became clear how important the mixed habitats of wetland, woodland and sand cliffs are for wildlife. The sand cliffs provide nesting for a large colony of sand martins as well as shelduck. We are pleased that the WHT has been able to help a club focusing on a discipline other than wildfowling and I look forward to seeing how the site develops in the coming years.”

Brendan Price, chairman of the Mattersey Rifle & Pistol Club, said: “The support we have received from the WHT and BASC has been outstanding at all stages of the process and we are extremely pleased to be associated with such a professional and helpful organisation. As well as improving habitats, BASC is also helping us to improve our shooting range facilities.”

For more information on the club, contact Stan Thomas on 01302 327566 or Dave Hinchliff on 07927 936133.

For more information on the WHT, visit www.wht.org.uk or phone 01244 573024.

£20 including postage and packing for a limited time only.

Click here to buy online or telephone 01244 573 050

The film shows footage of clubs which have benefited from WHT loans in Gloucestershire, Kent, the Norfolk Broads, north west Wales, Northern Ireland and the Solway Firth in Scotland.

The WHT was created by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), at the request of wildfowling members. Its aim was to provide a fund to allow wildfowling clubs to buy land for shooting and conservation.

The WHT has made more than £1.16 million for loans and grants available over the last 25 years, helping wildfowling clubs to buy nearly 4,000 acres of land.

More than £60,000 has been given to projects in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus and Turkey to help manage important wetland habitats used by birds on migration to the UK.

Tim Russell, BASC’s director of conservation and secretary of the WHT, said: “The work of the WHT remains just as important today as it was 25 years ago. Trustees give their time freely so as much money as possible goes directly into shooting and conservation. We look forward to helping even more clubs to purchase more land over the coming years.”

Alan Jarrett, WHT trustee and chairman of the Kent Wildfowling and Conservation Association, said: “Over the last 25 years the WHT has been an important source of funds for wildfowling clubs and as such has helped to ensure that wildfowling throughout the UK continues to thrive. There is no doubt that without the work of the WHT wildfowling would be in a poorer state today. We are currently in a difficult and competitive land market, but the WHT stands ready to help protect the sport of wildfowling for future generations to enjoy.”
[See post to watch Flash video] ]]> http://www.wht.org.uk/?feed=rss2&p=270 0 http://www.wht.org.uk/?p=204 http://www.wht.org.uk/?p=204#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:47:33 +0000 admin http://www.wht.org.uk/?p=204 The Rockland Wildfowlers’ Association has been given £3,000 by the Wildlife Habitat Charitable Trust (WHCT), a charity set up to help secure land for shooting and conservation.

The grant means that club members will be able to complete their restoration project for five acres of marsh and 12 acres of woodland close to Rockland Broad in Norfolk.

Charles Dowding, honorary treasurer for Rockland Wildfowlers, said: “As a small club, the generous support of the trustees is appreciated not only as valuable financial assistance towards our goals but also as an endorsement of what we are trying to achieve for shooting and conservation.”

Tim Russell, director of conservation at BASC and secretary of the WHCT, said: “I am delighted that Rockland Wildfowlers have approached the WHCT to help them towards their restoration project. The conservation work carried out by wildfowling clubs is very varied and not only helps quarry species but also species of conservation concern. The work carried out by Rockland Wildfowlers is a good example of what can be achieved by a dedicated group of people.”

The project includes dredging a flight pond, improving dykes, repairing sluices, planting pond margins with suitable species and erecting 20 nest boxes for barn owls and small birds such as nuthatches and tree creepers.

The WHCT is the grant-giving arm of the Wildlife Habitat Trust (WHT). The WHT was set up by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).  It is dedicated to raising and distributing funds to help with the acquisition of land for shooting and conservation. The WHT provides grants and loans to help manage sites for wildlife.

The trustees welcome any further applications by clicking here or by calling 01244 573024.

Adam Henson, famous for his weekly commentary and seasonal updates on ‘Adam’s Farm’ part of BBC’s Country File on a Sunday evening, launched the new stamp at on Saturday 23rd July.

Visitors were invited to the WHT stand where they were able to purchase stamps, badges and limited edition prints, and watch Terence Lambert and Julian Novorol a previous stamp artist at work during the 3 days of the fair.

Alan Jarrett’s new book “Under Living Skies” was available to purchase on the stand, with Alan signing books upon request. Alan generously donated £5 to the WHT for each book sold at the fair.

A film of the stamp launch can be viewed below.

Go to the Hook Norton website and follow the link to the shop: www.hooknortonbrewery.co.uk

David Wilcox, treasurer for Ely & District Wildfowlers, said: “What a thoroughly painless and efficient process the application process was and the club are most grateful for the help of Paul Williamson, BASC’s rural land development manager, in guiding us and to the WHT trustees in reviewing the application so quickly. This will be our third land purchase using finance from the WHT.”

Tim Russell, secretary of the WHT, said: “The WHT aims to help wildfowling clubs buy land. When a club comes back for a third loan it shows how important land ownership is and how well the WHT works for wildfowlers.”

Each year the WHT commissions a unique new piece of wildlife art from a recognised artist. This is also available in the form of a stamp sold at £5. Buying this helps to contribute to WHT funds. This year’s stamp will be launched on the BASC stand at the CLA game fair, Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire, on Friday 23rd July at 11.30am.

The trustees welcome any further applications via www.wht.org.uk or by calling 01244 573024

For more information please contact the BASC press office on 01244 573031