I’m very grateful to all those who have offered to deliver leaflets promoting the e-petition to ban driven grouse shooting. You are a wonderful bunch!
Demand for leaflets has exceeded supply (and funds) and so for now if you haven’t heard that you are getting some leaflets then you are on the waiting list.
Over 35,000 leaflets are out there or on their way to people who know they are arriving soon. I had to prioritise where the leaflets went and I did that as follows: people who wanted lots of leaflets (lower production and postage costs), people I knew would deliver the leaflets, a variety of locations so that they are spread across different groups and localities. And so there are leaflets being delivered from Norfolk to Falkirk and from Watford to Stockport.
Also, I will bring as many leaflets as possible to the Hen Harrier Day event at Rainham on 6 August. Several people have asked to be given leaflets there and I have told them they will get some. If you would like some leaflets to hand out or push through letter boxes and could take away a pack of 250 or 500 leaflets then please let me know by email ([email protected]) and I’ll see what I can do.
There may be some leaflets available at the Edale Hen Harrier Day event on 7 August but I cannot promise that as the Rainham crowd may collar them all! But see my at Edale if you would like some leaflets and I’ll see what I can do.
And there may be some leaflets delivered to addresses as I travel around the country on other business. So if you could deliver 250+ leaflets and haven’t yet been in touch then please do let me know and, again, I’ll see what I can do.
To summarise:
- there may be leaflets heading your way already – but if there are, you already know that
- you may have arranged to collect leaflets at Rainham on 6 August – but if you have, you already know that
- you may want to collect leaflets at Rainham on 6 August but haven’t told me – please email me at [email protected]
- you may not have been in touch with me at all but would like some leaflets to deliver – please do get in touch at [email protected]
- you may have got in touch but I haven’t yet promised you any leaflets – you are on a waiting list but I am very grateful to you for your offer
Not a problem Mark, I’m happy to be on the waiting list. Next time perhaps?
Sorry not to be able to deliver leaflets.
I’d still be willing to make a donation to a suitably worded banner towed by an aircraft over a grouse moor on 12 August. (not so low as to disrupt the shooting – just to attract media attention)
Me too – I will be at Edale and willing to make a donation if need be. Love the idea of a banner towed by aircraft, it looks like it might cost up to £2200
http://www.airads.co.uk/Aerial-Advertising-Products
Could use crowdfunding to fund this?
I wonder how much it would cost to get a harrier jump jet out of retirement to tow it? 🙂
How much would it be to print some more? If there is a waiting list of people to distribute them, could we not raise some more funds?
How much would you need to give some to all who are on the list?
Perhaps some which explain the socio-economic impact and cost on the public purse?
OK we (blog readers / conservationists) ‘get’ the raptor persecution / missing HHs angle but the average man on the street (if such a species exists)?
No way a criticism of the campaign thus far, just another angle to a wider audience perhaps?
Keep up the pressure ….
Thanks for the update.
I’m happy to wait. Please put me on the list.
Mark, are you bringing some along to the Birdfair?
Peter – for sure! And for you!
Just received mine! They’re brilliant, many thanks.
Wee suggestion re their distribution – what about leaving one or two with the receptionist at the local vets? Even if they can’t promote the petition to their customers imagine the staff would be keen to sign and promote it privately.
Spent an enjoyable day today distributing 500 of our allotted 1000 leaflets in various walkers car parks in the national park near where we live. Generally we had a very positive reception at cars which had people with them. Though talking to them slowed down the rate of leaflet delivery it seemed well worth chatting to people. Some knew of the problems, many didn’t. One woman had eaten grouse (but a long time ago), a few were non-natives and therefore couldn’t sign but generally the impression gained was that many were appalled to learn of the problems and would go home and sign.
We had a break for a lunchtime picnic near a site we visit each late summer to look for (and see) a rare limestone plant…and we ended up at a NT tearoom where we had a pleasant sit outside, looking out at a stunning view…
There are far worse ways to spend a summer’s day…..we can recommend it!
Nick
Had a very similar day at Bonnybridge Gala. I didn’t hand out leaflets to the public as I am holding some back for other events and activities, but to stall holders, volunteers and support workers. Quite a few charities, community groups and animal welfare organisations and therefore the people (wo)manning them tended to be very sympathetic. As soon as raptor persecution was mentioned some showed a strong positive reaction and wthout prompting said they would inform friends, and obviously animal welfare groups hardly needed any persuading. One lady said she will put the petition link on her group’s fb page – 4,937 likes – I’ll keep my eye on it fingers crossed. A photographer said he hated cruelty to animals and when he read that Chris P was involved declared that he’d met him at a dog show, he had had his rottweiler snapped with Chris. He is going to put that picture along with the petition link on his twitter account. The fire brigade were supportive and it was pointed out that muirburn screw ups meant they were called out each year and rewilding would make the moors less fire prone. Unfortunately the PC I’m using at the moment has trouble accessing the map on the petition page which would give a good idea of how many (or any?) signatures were picked up today, I should find out tomorrow. I would say that events like this are very good and well worth trying. Made such a nice change speaking to people face to face and the leaflets are so much better than having to scribble petition details on the back of old train tickets!