National Badger Day takes place on the first Saturday of October so this year the 2012 events will be held on Saturday 6 October.
On the day badger organisations, individuals and groups will be engaging in a range of events. Events are designed to raise awareness of badger protection issues, spread information about badgers and to raise funds for the Badger Trust.
The Badger Trust works towards badger protection, helps badger welfare and aims to conserve badger setts and habitats. The Trust also works with other local, voluntary organisations to help provide expert advice on badger issues and contribute to collective protection of badgers.
What do we really know about badgers? Maybe lots if you’re an expert but probably not much if you’re not exactly clued up like me! Do you know where the word badger comes from? ‘Bucher’ which means ‘digger’ in French. Digging underground allows badgers to create underground setts that they hang around until night time when they come out and hunt for food.
Events are not exclusive to specialised badger groups. Anyone can take part on National Badger Day and do their bit to help these nocturnal animals. I am passionate about protecting our wildlife and badgers are no different.
The Badger Trust works closely with the government to debate badger issues; such as the perceived spread of tuberculosis caused by badgers and the proposed solution to launch badger culls and large scale 'badger disposal' to prevent this. But all the work requires funding and help raising awareness.
Sponsored events such as swimming, walking and cycling are great ways to raise funds while still being eco-friendly. Other fund raising ideas include staging an event such as a concert or a play and selling things as diverse as home-baked goods, second-hand books or other unused household goods.
Want to see badgers? All you need to know is where to find them! At the Fantail Cottage in East Sussex you’re promised bed and breakfast along with the view of a patio that is regularly patrolled by badgers! In Boat of Garten, Scotland, you can take part in organised badger watch groups!
Click here for a full list of great badger-spotting locations - perhaps you could go along on National Badger Day!
Campaigns & Issues
Woodland Court staff face secure future thanks to Brunelcare
Residents and staff at a retirement village in Downend have finally reached the end of two years of uncertainty, following the acquisition of Woodland Court by Brunelcare.
Previous owners of the 57 apartment village, Care Village Group, went into administration in June 2011, leaving the residents and staff with an uncertain future.
The top priority for the Bristol based charity has been to retain all 27 members of staff to ensure that the support services are maintained, whilst minimising any disruption to the residents.
News
Stamping their feet
THOUSANDS OF Post Office staff have taken part in strikes across the country following a dispute about closures, jobs and pay.
A staggering 88 per cent of Communication Workers Union members voted in favour of strike action, following a refusal from the Post Office to negotiate terms.
The 4,000 workers, from 373 offices, took part in the strikes in opposition to plans to close 76 offices.
They hope to protect jobs and services and secure a fair pay rise for Post Office staff - who have not had a wage increase since April 2011.
Competitions & Fun
Win a Doro PhoneEasy 515 handset!
We’ve teamed up with Doro to give four very lucky Mature Times readers the chance to win a Doro PhoneEasy 515 mobile phone.
The Doro PhoneEasy 515 has been designed to provide an easy-to-use mobile for people who might find mainstream handsets difficult or confusing to use. This beautifully stylish candybar phone features an easy-to-use camera enabling you to capture those spontaneous photos quickly and easily before sharing them with others.
The Doro PhoneEasy 515 has several user-friendly functions including a direct SMS key and a charging cradle to make charging hassle free. It also has a large keypad, enlarged text for easy dialing and messaging and a loud, clear sound.
Reader Offers
Win a prize at home or away in this month's prize draw with Silver Travel Advisor!
Enter now and you could win a prize at home or away! How about a 7 night break for 2, with flights included, in beautiful Slovenia? Or a trip to London’s glitzy theatreland, staying in a 4* hotel? Both fabulous treats which must be won!
Silver Travel Advisor is a friendly website packed with advice, tips, information and honest reviews written by and for silver travellers (aged over 50). A team of advisors are on hand to answer queries (for free), and you can share your own experiences too.
Health & Wellbeing
Loneliness is a ‘ticking time bomb’
One in three people over the age of 50 struggles with loneliness – fuelled partly by a rise in later life divorces, according to an official study. Figures show almost seven million members of the baby-boomer generation and above admit to feeling lonely.
Research published as part of David Cameron’s plan to measure the nation’s ‘happiness’ said almost half of people over 80 feel lonely - many “much of the time”.
Campaigns groups say the study, by the Office for National Statistics, suggests the generation approaching retirement will be a “loneliness time bomb”.
Property & Finance
15 per cent of population claim financial worries are affecting their health
16 million people find finances the most stressful aspect of their lives
Leisure and Lifestyle
Singing you heart out
Music sensation Billy Ocean takes time out talk to Laura Heads about the release of his latest album and how making music has changed dramatically during his 40 year career.
The star has sold over 30 million records in his lifetime and has collected a pile of Gold and Platinum awards across the world. Billy’s unique reggae infused voice and musical style, representing his Trinidadian roots, are recognisable anywhere and it is that which has earned him his well-deserved number ones.
And the well-loved singer-song writer said that the way music is made has changed a lot since he first began in the 1970s. He said: “Music is now controlled by technology. New artists allow technology to control what they are doing.
Travel
New guide to travel insurance launched
THIS IS A handy to use and easy to read guide packed with tips aimed at helping older travellers when considering the purchase of travel insurance.
The guide came about as a result of the numerous enquiries we received here at the Mature Times’ offices regarding travel insurance for older people. MT Editor Andrew Young says ‘We receive many, many e-mails, letters and telephone calls from our readers regarding this subject. We know that as you get older travel insurance becomes more expensive, but there are ways that you can try to help offset some of these increases – and this guide can help you do that.’
Obviously as Editor you will have had many letters of thank-you's and well-done's, so please count this as one more from a convert to your excellent paper.