Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group – a Brief History! • Avon Wildlife Trust previously managed crossings in this area. • First records 1988 – 15 years before road closure • Current Patrol Manager Helen Hobbs started volunteering 1999 – 20 years ago! • Road closure started 2003 – AWT approached B&NES Council. Council funded the closure until 2015 – Group paid from 2016. Approx £1300 pa. • AWT withdrew 2003, Helen took over management of the crossing. • Later support from HCT (now ARC) and continuing support from Froglife. • Approx 33,000 live amphibians recorded since 2003 with a casualty rate of 5.2%
Road Closure and How to Do It! • For six week closure commencing Feb 11th: • Mid Nov: book road space with Streetworks Dept to get ref no for Traffic Order. • Give at least 8 weeks notice of road closure to Council by submitting a TTRO (Temporary Traffic Regulation Order). • Receive signing schedule and liaise with Highways Contractor re signage. • Two weeks before closure post notices on lamp posts, and write to residents and local schools, clubs etc.
Funding Sources Wessex Water Watermark Award: £750 @2003 Lush Charity Pot funding: £5000 2014 Support in Kind from Skanska, Highways Contractor, circa £3K per year (Signage, branded hi-vis)
Thanks to:
Our Patrol Manager Helen Meets Brian May!
IFAW Animal Action Awards 2010
Animal heroes from around UK receive prestigious awards (London – October 18, 2010) – Nine heroes received prestigious awards for their outstanding work for animals and people from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (www.ifaw.org). IFAW’s annual Animal Action Awards ceremony was hosted at the House of Lords by Baroness Gale. This year’s winners include Queen legend Brian May who is honoured for his Save Me campaign to protect foxes, deer, hare and mink from the cruelty of hunting by lobbying MPs to retain the Hunting Act. Receiving awards alongside Brian May will be Bath grandmother Helen Hobbs, who organises a nightly toad patrol each Spring to ensure safe passage across a busy road for toads, newts and frogs as they travel to their breeding lake.
Contact Details Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group: charlcombetoadpatrol@gmail.com Lush funding: charitypot@lush.co.uk
And Finally….from 2011…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBBa4mlAgmI