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July 2023 July 2023
VILLAGE HALL occasionally, although with increasing frequency, seen in the more central and

southern parts of Dorset.
The Fundraising Continues Having a reddish-brown body, with a wing span of 1.8 metres / six foot and a

Thank You to everyone who has made a donation to the deeply forked tail (seen twisting back in forth in flight, being used as a stabiliser) it
Hall, we have several application in for funding and hope is an unmistakable sight. It is a little larger than a buzzard and certainly the largest
that they will be successful. VILLAGE bird to be seen locally (unless you are lucky enough to see a white tailed eagle).
Many thanks to Co-op and store manager Maria HALL
Critchell who presented us with a cheque for £450 last Nightjar
month we greatly appreciate this help.
You wouldn’t expect to see a nightjar on West
The Village Hall has recently had a fire risk Street and we haven’t! A number of them have,
assessment and we need to replace most of though, been heard ‘chirring’ on Black Hill.
the internal doors to become compliant or
the hall will have to close. It was decide by During Spring as the sun goes down and dusk
the Trustees that in order to protect this descends, the calls of most birds fall silent. But
parish asset and to provide a home for all for a few birds, including nightjars, it is time to
the wonderful things that happen at the hall sing or in the case of nighjars to ‘chir’! The
that we need to proceed and have this nightjar is a nocturnal, so you’ll not see it during
work done. the day, particularly as its grey-brown, mottled,
streaked and barred plumage provides ideal
Despite best efforts there is no sign at the camouflage. In fact, you’ll be fortunate to see a
moment of a new hall and even if there was nightjar at any time, although if you are lucky enough to be in the right place at
it would take a number of years to fund raise the right time you may see one silently hawking for food after dark (they are after
for it and to build it. moths and other insects). With pointed wings and a long tails their shape is similar
to a kestrel or cuckoo.
We have currently raised ourselves £5,085 we are very grateful to the Pop In Place
who will put the takings from their summer show towards the work. If your group or Nightjars can be most often found on heathlands, moorlands, and open areas in
organization would like to donate we would be very grateful also if any local conifer woodland with clearings and in recently felled conifer plantations. They
company would like to fund a door we can add their advertising on the door. are most numerous in southern and eastern England, although also live in parts of
Wales, northern England and south west Scotland.
If anyone would like to make a cash donation please see Alison Bennett, please
make cheque donations payable to Village Hall Bere Regis. The nightjar is a ground-nesting bird, so is very susceptible to disturbance. So, if
you are out walking your dog on Black Hill or other heathland, please keep it on a

lead.
Hall Bookings

If you want to book the Village Hall please contact our booking Secretary Joanna Bats
Syrett Joanna.syrett@tiscali.co.uk or telephone 01929 472037 she will also be
able to show you around if you are not familiar with the building. With the warmer summer evenings bats will be active. If you would like to see
some bats in flight stand on Jubilee Bridge around dusk. There are always several

bats over the water feeding on insects. Other good places to see bats are at
Fancy a game of table tennis Shitterton Bridge and at the culvert entrance by the slip road to Dorchester.
As part of our bid to try to generate some income for the Hall we are able to offer If you are aware of any active bat roosts in the area or have spotted some
family table tennis sessions, if you are interested in hiring it the fee is £10 per interesting birds on your bird table or elsewhere in the area, please let us know.
family for an hour. Contact the Booking Secretary Joanna on 01929 472037.
Alison Bennett Chairperson 01929 472023

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