BCRA NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2024

[SHEARSMITH]

BCRA NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2024

Our Social media news outlets...
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/groups/britishcaver
• BCRA News forum: http://bcra.org.uk/forum
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/bcra_speleology
• UK Caving http://ukcaving.com/board/?board=86.0

In this newsletter
• BCRA online seminars
• BCRA Science Symposium
• BCRA list of trustees from the recent AGM
• BCRA Annual review published
• BCRA Membership
• Next Council Meeting
• Supporting BCRA

Mon 11-Nov, 19:30 to 21:00 BCRA Cave Science Seminar
Diversity in the darkness: addressing gaps in our knowledge of subterranean biodiversity in North America A review of cave and groundwater fauna in North America, including its diversity, importance, knowledge gaps, and conservation status. Including new approaches and initiatives to address these knowledge shortfalls and offer recommendations for future research and conservation and management efforts.
With: Matthew L. Niemiller, Associate Professor of Ecology, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Time: Mon 11-Nov 2024, 19:30 to 21:00 GMT. Via Zoom

Mon 09-Dec, 19:30 to 21:00 BCRA Cave Science Seminar
Another in our series of online seminars, via Zoom. Further info at bcra.org.uk/seminars. Last-minute changes to the programme will be posted to our Facebook page.
With: Spyridoula Pappa, Senior Curator of Fossil Mammals, Natural History Museum
Time: Mon 09-Dec 2024, 19:30 to 21:00 GM. Details of this seminar to be confirmed.
It is intended that the seminar series will continue in 2025. Anyone interested in offering a talk or suggesting a speaker / topic should contact the Secretary.

2024 BCRA Science Symposium and AGM Thanks are extended to Chloe Snowling and Mike Rogerson who hosted the well attended two-day event at Northumbria University .The BCRA AGM was held during the meeting. The 2025 science symposium and AGM will be held in October at Bristol University, hosted by Linda Wilson and Dave Richardson

BCRA Trustees for 2025. The following persons were elected at the AGM.
John Gunn -Chairman and Conservation Officer
Dave Shearsmith – Secretary and Safeguarding officer
Andy Farrant -Treasurer
Linda Wilson
Jenny Potts – Librarian
Andy Eavis
Russel Myers
Jo White
Les Williams – Hidden Earth
Emily Tilby-Publicity Officer

In addition to the 10 elected trustees, Council have appointed Professor Simon Bottrell to a second three-year term as President and three trustees have been co-opted: Rostam Namaghi (BCA chair), Chloe Snowling , Mike Rogerson.

BCRA annual review 2024 The 2024 Review which covers activities during the 2023 calendar year has now been published and is available on the BCRA website

BCRA membership .The Just Go membership system is now fully operational so when you renew your BCA membership it will be easy to add on BCRA membership.

The next council meeting will be held on the 26th November via zoom 20.00 to 21.30 Further information is available on the BCRA website

Supporting BCRA.
Members will note that there has been a lack of field meetings since the end of Covid restrictions and we encourage anyone willing to organise a meeting to contact the secretary. Further information regarding supporting BCRA is available at the following link https://bcra.org.uk/volunteer/index.html

IT Support
We would also welcome support from members who have experience with IT / web services. The IT team have also identified tasks that could be undertaken by anyone with basic skills, and which would ease the load. If you feel that you can assist, please contact the secretary: bcra-secretary@bcra.org.uk

The next newsletter will be at the end of November 2024