In the light
of the current economic climate the BTMR are delighted
to inform members and prospective new members that they
have been able to maintain membership fees at the same
level as last year. This means that membership fees have
remained the same for five years and now represent even
better value to our members.
"I would like to take this oppertunity to wish
all members of the BTMR family, a very
Happy Christmas & a Prosperous New year.
I hope the weather is kinder to all this winter,
last winter was one of the worst we have had for
years, followed by a very dry spring, not the
best for moleing!!
A reminder about Molecatcher of the Month &
Year, another way to get you and your business
more exposure.
Molecatcher of the Year Started November 1st so
don’t forget to send your monthly catches in.
Lets see some photos of you appearing on the
website.
Once again Happy Christmas to all and enjoy the
festive season,
The winner of our this
years BTMR Molecatcher of the Year Award is Bob Brown
from Northumberland. The British Traditional
Molecatchers Register are delighted that it goes to such
a worthy winner and fine ambassador for this great
profession. Bob caught the incredible amount of 8,453
moles this year, and is all set for another record year.
Dave receives his Prize and the
converted Shield
from BTMR Founder Brian Alderton
(Click Picture to enlarge)
Bob was
joined by his son at the short presentation
BTMR Lady Molecatcher
of 2011
BTMR is
delighted to announce that.....
Tracy
Johnson
from
Yorkshire is the
BTMR Lady Molecatcher
of 2011
As usual we recognize the
ladies of the Molecatching profession, and have also
awarded a ladies prize, a bottle of Bubbly.
This year it goes to
Tracy Johnson from Yorkshire. Tracy managed to catch
2024 moles!
Tracy was
presented with her award and a bottle of "Bubbly" by
Brian Alderton (Founder of BTMR) on a misty November
Morning in Ripon
This year it goes to
Tracy Johnson from Yorkshire. Tracy managed to catch
2024 moles!
Many Thanks to all the
members who entered the competition; it was quite
amazing to see how many moles members were catching each
month!
The average number of
moles caught per member from the numbers submitted was
1803.
The BTMR is pleased to announce the launch of
MOLECATCHER
of the Year award
for 2012
This will again be awarded to the member who catches the most
moles over a 12 month period?
Start date will be
1st November 2011
1st.
prize will be a bottle of whiskey and a
magnificent Shield (with replica to keep) sponsored by
Thatched Owners Group
Numbers will be kept confidential until the final result
is announced.
Message from Brian Alderton
(Founder BTMR)
So don’t forget the new BTMR Molecatcher of the
Year Award for 2012 which starts on the 1st
of November. Could you be our next Molecatcher
of the month / year!
Please submit all catch numbers on a monthly
basis, this way your business could get extra
exposure from you been our Molecatcher of the
Month with some details about yourself and a
picture on the website!
All the best to members of the BTMR, the UK’s
premier Molecatching website.
Wishing you all a good and enjoyable and
productive Molecatching year!
Kind Regards
Brian.
21st November 2010
About
Bob........
Bob Brown has been Mole Catching since he was
a lad, when his Granddad taught him the
tradition. He has a family run business in
Ford, North Northumberland, with his wife Marie
and three children.
Bob says ‘People do not realise there is a skill in
the art of Mole Catching, it is a tradition that has
been passed down through the generations and it is
something I am teaching my 10 year old son, in the hope
the Mole Catching Tradition will remain in the years to
come"’
Bob catches on farm land throughout North
Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, and also in
residential gardens.
From
Register
Office
.......... 21/10/2011
A reminder
to all members that it is near that time of year!!
No not
Bonfire night, but Molecatcher of the Year Award.
It runs from
the 1st November 2010 until the 31st October 2011.
have all
your figures (Total moles caught 1/11/2010 to
31/10/2011) by November the 5th.
A Large
shield and a miniature shield to keep plus a 3 litre
bottle of Whiskey awaits the winner, don’t forget also
there is a prize for lady Molecatcher of the year!
Best wishes
to all members taking part, results will be announced
early November!
Molecatcher of the month
September 2011 - was again - Dave Jones
From
Register
Office
.......... 12/9/2011
Molecatcher of the month
August 2011 - was again - Dave Jones
From
Register
Office
..........
25/8/2011
Useful
savings can be had from hundreds of retails when buying
items on line - have a look - click the banner......
Several
members have confirmed it works .
From
Register
Office
..........
5/8/2011
Molecatcher of the month
July 2011 - was again - Dave Jones
From
Register
Office
..........
5/7/2011
Molecatcher of the month
June 2011 - Dave Jones
From
Register
Office
..........
5/6/2011
Tracy does
it again !!
Molecatcher of the month
May 2011 - Tracy Johnson
Now three
months in a row .
Click on the
picture to enlarge
From
Register
Office
..........
5/5/2011
Molecatcher of the month
April 2011 - Tracy Johnson
Two months
in a row - well done.
From
Register
Office
..........
5/4/2011
Molecatcher of the month
March 2011 - Tracy Johnson
"This is my first season
mole catching full time. It has taken off a lot quicker
than expected, most weeks now been 7 days.
March has certainly been
the most busy month so far. I run 400 barrel traps and
use a Honda quad bike. Most of my work is farm based
with a few odd garden jobs. The good weather in March
has certainly been welcome as most of the farms I am
working on border the moors. I don't think April will be
as busy as March, but hopefully the weather will keep
good."
From
Register
Office
..........
7/3/2011
Very unusual
colouring
Pictures and
comment received from Dean Gibb
I" have
caught two more of them moles again, I cant skin one, I
had ago at a normal mole and it wasn't working.
I have 6 of them now, I have attached a picture of all 6
together so that people believe it. Dean
Gibb"
Click on the
picture to enlarge
From
Register
Office
..........
5/3/2011
Molecatcher of the month
February 2011 - Dave Jones
It has
recently been reported that some members are being telephoned
by a website company saying that they are the website
company who operate the BTMR website. This is not true.
They are
offering to build websites for members.
The BTMR has
its own website managers who work for the BTMR, the BTMR
does not tout for business from members, nor will it in
the future!
If anyone is
approached by this company will they please try and
obtain the telephone number of this company and the BTMR
will take them to task over their claims.
From
Register
Office
..........
1/2/2011
Molecatcher of the month
January 2011 - John Sykes
Hi,
Just
reporting back with my catch for January, good but not as
good as I expected, but February will be big.
Enclosed a
picture of my youngest daughter Isabelle on mole patrol,
she comes in handy for running around collecting
catches.
Click on the
pictures to enlarge
From
Register
Office
..........
24/1/2011
Members may
find it useful to have a flier which they can leave in
Pubs, Clubs, Shops, Garages, Auctions or indeed anywhere
that people gather who may be looking for a Molecatcher.
Attached is
an A4 poster style flier onto which you can put your
details in "Microsoft Word" or print it out and write in
your details.
Also attached is another file which contains two smaller
A5 versions of the same flier for those occasions when
you require something smaller. This file you
should print out and write in your details.
The BTMR is pleased to
welcome our 400th member - Roy Wood.
Roy lives on a farm
in the Hampshire village of South Warnborough.
Molecatching
initially began as a hobby 20years ago when his own
garden became overrun. After that challenge, he always
volunteered his services to friends and neighbours but
circumstances didn't allow him to pursue this venture.
It wasn't until 6years ago that his hobby turned into
something more.
He was able to mole catch
at weekends and achieved great results.
With redundancy looming
in 2010 after 30yrs in the same career, Roy decided to
do what he loved, he booked himself onto a molecatching
course and excelled at it. Over the years, Roy had read
many books, experimented with various traps and methods
and was now ready to put his passion into action and set
up Molegone.
Since Aug 2010 Roy has
worked extremely hard to build up a client base which
ranges from equestrian centres and private residences to
hotels and farms. With his no catch no fee work ethic,
his drive, commitment and enthusiasm, Roy is getting
results and says that no job is too big or too small.
More details can be found on Roys website -
www.molegone.co.uk
Ann is based in Lancashire, and is
a well-established mole catcher of more than 25 years
experience. Her working policy of 'No Mole, No Fee'
illustrates her confidence in producing results every
time. Ann and her quad bike have become a familiar and
welcome sight to farmers and landowners alike. Ann
maintains a diverse client base consisting both regular
customers of long standing and others whose requirements
are more occasional. She attributes her success in
running her mole catching business to providing a
skilled service which farmers and householders alike can
rely on.
Ann says ...
"Mole catching has in recent years become for me a
full-time professional commitment. I operate a
7-day-a-week service and which is essential to farmers -
and valued by householders troubled by an intrusive
garden mole. Like any dedicated service provider I need
to be available when my customers require me, and that
can mean working from dawn to sunset throughout the
Lancashire and west Yorkshire regions - clearing fields
of moles in time for crops to grow. I work in an
amazingly beautiful part of England, the views are
fantastic; rain, snow or shine. Mole catching is for me
a way of life. Most Important to me though is that I
leave my customers happy and with the a peace of mind
that comes only with the knowledge that I am dedicated,
thorough, and capable in my work."
BTMR Founder Brian
Alderton
with the BTMR Molecatcher of the Year Trophy and Whiskey
Dear Members,
The winner of our this years BTMR
Molecatcher of the Year Award is Dave Jones
of North Yorkshire. The British Traditional
Molecatchers Register are delighted that it
goes to such a worthy winner and fine
ambassador for this great profession.
When told of the award Dave replied
"I have been working in the Pest Control business for
Root n Rodent for about 26 years and specialising in
moles for Mole Control since learning to catch them the
traditional way from a respected old local Traditional
Molecatcher
He taught me the skills of the countryman and let me in
on the secret ways of the mole. I will always remember
the thrill of checking my traps for the first time and
finding my first mole!
I still get that same feeling of achievement every time
even now.
I have a job that I have enjoyed from that very first
success. The mole is a very worthy adversary and is not
always easy to outwit.
I am now passing my knowledge onto
a younger employee of our company who also enjoys
learning the old ways as it is so important to pass
these skills on so that they are not lost.
I plan to be “The Mole Man” for
many more years and become as skilled and knowledgeable
as my mentor."
As usual we
recognize the ladies of the Molecatching
profession, and have also awarded a ladies
prize,
For the second time it goes again to Ann
Chippendale from Lancashire. Ann managed to
catch 2742 moles only 128 less than the Dave
who caught a very credible 2870 moles.
Many Thanks to all the members who entered
the competition; it was quite amazing to see
how many moles members were catching each
month!
The average number of moles caught per
member from the numbers submitted was 1778.
So don’t forget the new BTMR Molecatcher of
the Year Award for 2011 which starts on the
1st of November. Could you be our
next Molecatcher of the month / year!
Please submit all catch numbers on a monthly
basis, this way your business could get
extra exposure from you been our Molecatcher
of the Month with some details about
yourself and a picture on the website!
All the best to members of the BTMR, the
UK’s premier Molecatching website.
Wishing you all a good and enjoyable and
productive Molecatching year!
Kind Regards
Brian.
21st November 2010
From
Register
Office
.......... 23/9/2010
The BTMR is
committed to help it members to continue there own
Personal Development
The BTMR is
offering all of its members the opportunity of attending
any of our training courses at a discount of 33.3%.
It is hoped
that members will take advantage of this offer to update
and hone their own skills and increase their own
Continued Personal Development!
ONLY two
places will be allocated per course and members will be
treated on a first come first served basis.
The BTMR is pleased to
welcome our 300th member - Mark Gilbert.
Mark lives in a village
called Betchworth near Dorking in Surrey, he started
mole catching about six years ago whilst working as a
gardener, and it was more good luck than judgement in
those days if he caught a mole.
But he persevered and got
hooked on mole catching, and read just about everything
he could on moles, and practiced at every opportunity
given to him.
After going on a
Molecatching course he says he carried on learning as
much as he could and then gradually it all started to
fall into place, his success rate now is very high,
catching most moles by the next day. He has now started
a new business called “Surrey Mole Control”, catching
moles professionally since December 2009 and his
customers base is starting to grow and he is hoping to
add lots more customers and contracts in the future.
The BTMR is
pleased to announce that the will be attending....
The
Great Yorkshire Show Harrogate.
13th - 15th July website ,,,
Click Here
The BTMR are pleased to announce that the
Flat Pack Company will be joining the BTMR
on their stand at the Great Yorkshire Show
Stand no 344
Flat Pack
will be presenting their range of traps and
other merchandise and all British
Traditional Molecatchers Register members
old and new are invited and encouraged to
visit the stand at the show.
The CLA
Game Fair Ragley Hall, Warwickshire
23rd 24th 25th July,
as guests of the UCSW.
website ,,, Click
Here
The BTMR
will offer a very warm welcome to all members onto the
stand which is there to represent them and their
interests and give the oppertunity for all to meet up
for a chat.
There will
also be BTMR displays at the following local
shows.
South
Yorkshire Charity Ploughing match Lindholme, nr Doncaster
27th/28th March.
Were any of
our members involved? - we know if they had been it
would have been good value for money and an efficient
service even although the MP should not have put it on
his expenses !!
The award
will be presented on
7th November 2009
in
Gloucestershire
****** Ann
Chippendale
from
Lancashire is the BTMR Lady Molecatcher
of 2009
Ann Chippendale
BTMR Lady Molecatcher of the Year
2009
Click on the Button
above to
register for assess to our NEW
comprehensive
Members Website which contains valuable
Commercial, Practice, Marketing, Legal and
Equipment
help to all Molecatchers and provides and opportunity for
you to have a website designed for your
business.
BTMR Founder Brian
Alderton
with the BTMR Molecatcher of the YearTrophy and Whiskey
Ian Dando and his dogs
BTMR Molecatcher of the Year
2009
Message
from BTMR Founder - Brian - about the BTMR Molecatcher
of the Year Award
Dear Members, The winner of
our first ever BTMR Molecatcher of the Year Award
is Ian Dando of Gloucestershire. This is the first
time we have presented the award and everyone at The
British Traditional Molecatchers Register are delighted
that it goes to such a worthy winner and fine ambassador
for this great profession.
When told of the award Ian explained...
“I owe my mole
catching skills to my granddad, who showed me the skills
required understand and trap our quarry. My granddad was
a true countryman, and the snippets of information, drip
fed to me over the years, are now being put to good use!
He'd be proud!
I'm passing my skills to my daughter
Charlotte who is far more attentive at the age of 10
than i ever was! She now catches the odd mole, and is
checking traps for her old dad!
Like me, these skills never leave you,
and if necessary can be picked up again at anytime in
the future, just like I did! The most important point is
to ensure traditional mole catching has
a future. We must protect our way of
life, a way of life not only for
ourselves but for future generations.
Otherwise, the traditional mole catcher
will disappear along with so many rural
skills, confined to history and never to
return!"
***********
We also decided that we should
recognize
the ladies of the Molecatching profession, and have
also awarded a ladies prize,
This year it goes to Ann Chippendale from
Lancashire.
Ann is an
enthusiastic Molecatcher with an passion
and respect for the creatures. Her no mole, no fee pricing
demonstrates her confidence in producing results every
time. Throughout the Lancashire area Ann and
her quad have become a familiar sight to farmers and
landowners alike. Ann who has an increasing client base
of satisfied customers attributes her success in running
her mole catching business to providing service which
farmers can rely upon. She says.......
"Mole
catching" "has in recent years moved on from a
part time, pastime of the retired, to a professional 7
days a week service which is essential to farmers. Like
all service industries you need to be
available at the times your customers require you this can mean working from dawn to sunset to clear
fields of moles in time for crops to grow. I work in some amazing places, the views are
fantastic, rain, snow or shine, Molecatching is a way of
life. Ann's customers therefore have the peace of mind
which comes in the knowledge that Ann is always in
control of their mole problem leaving them to
concentrate their efforts on running their businesses."
Ann has been catching moles using
traditional methods with traps for over 25 years .
Many Thanks to all the
members who entered the competition; it was
quite amazing to see how many moles members
were catching each month!
Ian Dando caught the
incredible amount of 7930 moles in the year
and as to be congratulated on such a fine
performance.
Ann Chippendale also caught a
very credible 2,253 moles not bad for
someone who also has a small farm!
The average number of moles
caught per month by all members who
participated was 295.
So don’t forget the new BTMR
Molecatcher of the Year Award for 2010 which
starts on the 1st of November.
Could you be our next Molecatcher of the
month / year!
All the best to members of
the BTMR, the UK’s premier Molecatching
website.
Wishing you all a good and
enjoyable and productive Molecatching year!
Kind
Regards
Brian.
1st November 2009
BTMR
Molecatcher
of the
Year
Trophy
Trophy and large bottle of whiskey presented to Ian
at the Training course lunch
in Eastleach Torvilla in Gloucestershire
7th November 2009
Click to enlarge
To see full Press Release
on
BTMR
Molecatcher of the Year
Click Here
The
BTMR wishes to thank the Union of Country Sports
Workers for inviting us to share their stand at
the CLA game fair held at Belvoir Castle in
Leicestershire. .We had a wonderful time and the
team from the UCSW made use very welcome on
their stand, which was headed by their Chairman
Robert Lowe. (who also drew the winner of our
free thumb stick draw).
Thanks also go to
the Flat Pack company who are our training
sponsors for supplying traps probes and markers
The weekend was
fine except for a couple of
heavy
showers, and the show was extremely well
attended. The BTMR stand was well visited and
there was lots of interest in our presentations
, which includes some unusual traps on show?
The
stand was manned with Simon our training officer
and his wife Janet, also Ian Stephenson another
member and myself.
We had lots of
questions and enquiries from the general public
and molecatchers alike, and met up with members
old and new! We had
lots of people seeking molecatchers and gave
lots of BTMR business cards out to people from
all over the country. So hopefully members
should be picking up work from all the extra
visitors to our website, now and in the future.
We
may be asked to do another show in the future,
and hopefully will. But whatever the outcome the
BTMR will continue to move forward in it’s drive
to promote the BTMR in any media possible.
The
British Traditional Molecatchers Register is proud to be
a trade member of the UCSW and support it at the 2009
CLA Game Fair by contributing to the display within the
UCSW Marquee.
The
BTMR will be exhibiting an informative display including
a collection of molecatching traps and associated
items, old, new and some unusual!
The display will be staffed by professional molecatchers
and members of the BTMR, who will be on hand to answer
questions about any aspects of molecatching and mole
related problems.
The staff look forward to being able to promote the
ancient craft of molecatching and help people who may
have a problem with moles by putting them in touch
with their local traditional molecatcher, They also
hope to to recruit new members, to publicise their
training programme and to meet up with old and new
members of the BTMR
. If
you have any old or interesting molecatching equipment
we would be delighted to see! Bring it with you please.
This
is where members of the British Traditional Molecatchers
Register and our Customers have the oppertunity to:-
Hear about our members and their stories.
Network with other Molecatchers.
Exchange views and opinions about current Molecatching
life.
Enjoy exchanging experiences both serious and
light-hearted.
Encourage and develop good practice
Please note the
Telephone number for BTMR has recently changed.
If you are a member
and would like the new number for your records or to get
hold of us urgently please email and we will be
delighted to let you have it.
Proud News - BTMR gets
Lantra accreditation for Training.
The
BTMR is pleased to announce that its training courses
have now been accredited by Lantra. The Sector Skills
Council for environmental and landbased industries
BTMR
courses success will now bestow recognised Lantra
Trained Status upon individual attendees.
The
courses will still follow the same format as all
previous courses, but will also offer a Lantra
certificate as well the present BTMR certificate!
For all course attendees.
The
Lantra certificate cost (£17.50) is included in our
course fee
These courses will start in November, but any course
attendee before that date can also acquire a Lantra
certificate for a small extra fee. Those who also wish
to have a Lantra ID Card also can acquire this at and
additional cost of £40.00.
Congratulations to all at the BTMR who have worked so
hard to bring this about!
From
Register
Office
.......... 7/7/09
Trap
collector Lee Newman has contacted the BTMR with the
following request.
Old
animal traps wanted, for historical research project and
private collection. Please contact Lee at
For the first time ever
the
public can now easily find a molecatcher in their area.
The BTMR is proud to have achieved a national directory
in just over one year of existence.
If you know of a
Traditional Molecatcher who is
not a member of the BTMR
please let them know
that they too can be in the directory by
joining the BTMR.
Click the button below
and select
which country - England, Scotland or Wales.
Members
Forum
Click Button Below
From
Register
Office
.......... 5/10/09
The September winner is
again Ian from Gloucestershire.
From
Register
Office
..........
5/6/09,
5/7/09 & 5/8/09
The June and July winner is
again Ian from Gloucestershire.
MOLECATCHER OF THE MONTH
May, June and July 2009
Ian Dando
from
Gloucestershire
From
Register
Office
.......... 8/5/09
The April winner is Andy
West from Somerset.
MOLECATCHER OF THE MONTH
April 2009
Andy West
from
Somerset
From
Register
Office
.......... 6/4/09
The March winner is
again Ian from Gloucestershire.
MOLECATCHER OF THE MONTH
March 2009
Ian Dando
from
Gloucestershire
From
Register
Office
.......... 10/3/09
Again this
year, after a recent course Simon Bollons (one of our
Trainers)
presented the BTMR with a magnificent 2nd Birthday cake
baked especially for the occasion by his wife Janet.
Click the picture to enlarge and appreciate the
wonderful detailed work that went into the cake - again
a fabulous and delicious creation !! Thank you Janet.
In
celebrating the completion of the BTMR's second
year Brian, our revered founder, noted that we now had
more members than ever with recruitment increasing by
the week - more record levels of customers, a very full
and heavily subscribed training programme and now well
over 3500 visits to our website per month from the
public looking for a Traditional Molecatcher
Celebratory drinks
Here to
our next busy year !!
Brian cut the Cake
From
Register
Office
.......... 4/3/09
The February winner is
Andy West from Somerset
I am 43 and was made
redundant a couple of years ago, after being a Store
Manager with the Somerfield Group for 18 years, By
chance I took a Pest Control Franchise with Paul
Wilkinson of PestForce in Lincolnshire (lincolnshiremolecatcher)
I spent four months learning the ways of the mole
catcher and was hooked from the first time I caught my
first mole, reading all available books and available
materials through the internet thus coming across the
BTMR. My business has been going from strength to
strength and since the first week of January, I have
been working seven days a week, and have been using the
services of Jim Wright from Dorset for some of my larger
jobs and my two boys Daniel and Kurt have been helping a
weekends. The best part of job, is all the thank you
letters I receive after a good job done.
A very pleased
Andy West (118)
CONGRATULATIONS
to
MOLECATCHER OF THE MONTH
February 2009
Andy West
from
Somerset
From
Register
Office
.......... 19/2/09
This
week has seen an upsurge in Media interest in our
activities with our own Founder Brian being interviewed
on Yorkshire Radio and contacted for information by
National TV companies.
Mole
Patrol - one of our members in Wetherby was on Look
North - the regional TV show last evening
and we are aware that other members too are rising to
media requests for information.
This
is perhaps as a result of the snow now melting and many
people noticing Mole activity. Please do let the
media in your area have information if they request it
and be sure to tell them that wherever the moles appear
the BTMR website can direct customers to one of our
members who will help solve their problem. Give
out the web address at every oppertunity and keep your
fellow Molecatchers - all over the country - busy !!
I
spent all day last Friday with a reporter and camera man
from ITV Meridian television. They wanted a piece on "a
day in the life of a traditional Molecatcher". The
weather was very cold (just before snow) but we had a
good day out and they told me they got some great film.
They met two of my customers who told of their battles
with Mole and my success in catching them. We even
filmed a Mole at work, heaving dirt, and caught one in a
Talpex trap. My Jack Russell "Ozzey" was the star of the
show!
I
hope they will show it next week 6pm-6-30pm ITV
Meridian.
Jerry Hal
From
Register
Office
.......... 4/2/09
The January winner is
again Ian from Gloucestershire.
CONGRATULATIONS
to
MOLECATCHER OF THE MONTH
January 2009
Ian Dando
from
Gloucestershire
From
Register
Office
.......... 13/1/08
SO HOW DO I PRICE
THIS JOB ???????
"I
thought these 'hills might look good on our website?
Business is picking up nicely, thanks to your training
course I now have a source of income.
Kind
regards and all the best for the coming year"
Richard Towers - Severn Valley Mole Control
From
Register
Office
.......... 9/12/08
The December winner is
again Ian from Gloucestershire.
MOLECATCHER OF THE MONTH
December 2008
Ian Dando
from
Gloucestershire
From
Register
Office
.......... 18/11/08
"I learned to catch moles from my
granddad 40+ years ago, he was a head keeper on a large
Derbyshire estate. After joining our family accountancy
practice I decided several years' later when my dad died
that I wanted to continue traditional rural skills and
do what I wanted to do. As you know I now lay hedges and
molecatching. I retain a no. of accounts clients who
were with our family business. My mole work covers golf
clubs, cricket and football grounds, schools, churches,
farms, estates and private gardens, a real cross section
which is what keeps the work interesting. It is all
about people!" Ian
OCTOBER 2008
Ian Dando
from
Gloucestershire
From
Register
Office
.......... 12/5/08
Our fame is spreading
BTMR featured in
Sunday Telegraph Article 11 May 2008
Click Here
From
Register
Office
.......... 1/4/08
At one of
our recent Training Courses (Click
Here for Training Page) Simon Bollons (one of our
Trainers)
presented the BTMR with a magnificent 1st Birthday cake
baked especially for the occasion by his wife Janet.
Click the picture to enlarge and appreciate the Mole
details - the cake was delicious !! Thank you Janet.
Shortly
after the course Brian Alderton our founder could not
resist the temptation to cut into it and with others
thoroughly enjoyed the celebration.
From
Webmaster ..........
27/2/08
We have our
first lady Molecatcher Member (is she the only full time professional Lady
Traditional Molecatcher in the country??)
Message from Ann ..........
"The first professional
fulltime LADY mole catcher to be accredited on the BTMR.
I knew I would make history
one day, just wasn’t sure how !
I was introduced by the BTMR
to a farm near Lancaster and my results after 24 hours of
laying traps are shown in the pictures on the left.
I caught my first mole 20
years ago on our farm and it accelerated from there, now
with fantastic results. I use QUALITY scissor traps,
supplied to me by John Dee Humane Traps from Exeter.
I am happy to take anyone out
for the day moleing wanting to watch or to learn be a
customer or moler. Im in Clitheroe, Lancashire. I am willing
to travel to any moleing job and enjoy the challenge of new
pastures.
I survived the teenage years
with my 3 daughters and intend to spend their inheritance on
mole traps but they aren’t impressed and nor are the moles,
now I am laughing all the way to the next hill !"
We have never spoken
before but for some time now we have been giving your
details out to our members who have been experiencing
problems with moles.
On our website we have an
articles/library section that has a whole host of
interesting and informative information. Would you have
any articles about yourself and the association that we
could feature within that section.
Our website is
www.thatched-group.com its a
bit old fashioned but I hope you find it of interest.
All members of the BTMR can receive a free sample of The
Flat Pack's British made tunnel mole traps by contacting
them at
sales@theflatpack.co.uk
or telephoning 01756 770273,
quoting your membership number.
Samples are limited to one trap per member and the offer
is until 28th February 2008.
The following
interesting email has been received by the BTMR and may
interest Members.........
Dear British Molecatchers,
I
would be very grateful if you could please forward the
following piece of family history to a suitable 'history
of molecatching' contact which you might know in the
Woodhouse Eaves/Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire,
or provide me with their e-mail/telephone details.I am
trying to trace the farm where my father stayed while
working as a mole catcher in the area after the First
World War
My
father, Herbert Hampson, was born in 1901 and for one
season, I believe some time between 1919 and 1922,
worked as a professional molecatcher in Charnwood
Forest. He went for a job at the local labour exchange
at Belper, Derbyshire, and was offered one of two posts:
butler/groom at a local big house, or molecatcher in
Charnwood Forest. Being a countryman, he chose the
latter.
He
told me that he was employed by a man whose son was
working as a mole catcher at Peak Forest, North
Derbyshire. At that time, mole skin trousers and waist
coats were very much in fashion, and a single pelt could
fetch the premium price of 2s-6d (12.5p).
My
father's employer arranged for him to be billeted at a
farmhouse somewhere near Woodhouse Eaves. (Having read
some molecatching history details, it could be that his
accommodation was free of charge, indicating the
importance that farmers placed on the role of the mole
catcher).
As
I recollect, he had a photograph of himself (or could it
have been the farmer's son?) stood outside the farmhouse
front door with a double-barrelled shotgun under his
arm, and wearing britches and leggings. Sadly this
picture has disappeared. But I do remember the door was
overshadowed by ivy growing densely across the wall.
My
father approached local farmers and offered his services
to clear their land of moles. From what he said, there
appeared to be heavy infestations in the area. As well
as keeping all the moles caught for the valuable pelts,
he charged the farmers 2d per mole
killed.
He
was still using his old traps nearly 40 years later to
catch moles in our garden. They were the traditional
semi-circular wooden barrel design with curved wire
spring triggered by a small forked peg. I remember he
had the professional's disdain for placing the trap in
the mole hill, insisting that it must be placed some
distance away in the "run."
While in Charnwood Forest he came across an abandoned
quarry from which very hard stone for the making of wet
stones for sharpening knives, chisels etc had been
produced. I think this was called Mount Sorrel stone,
after the location in the Forest.
He
only worked one season (presumably summer time?) as a
mole catcher. He then became apprenticed as a motor
mechanic. I suspect that one reason he did not continue
to trap moles was that the price for the pelts declined
as natural mole skin clothes went out of fashion.
I
would be very grateful if you could suggest any way that
I might be able to identify the farmhouse at Woodhouse
Eaves, and trace descendants of the farmers my father
may have worked for or locals he may have met.
yours sincerely
Peter Hampson
Anyone wishing to
contact Peter can do so through the BTMR Webmaster
Our revered founder
"Brian" will be on holiday until 20th June. As he
gets numerous emails for him personally from members
each week he would like members to know there will be a
delay in him replying personally.
Emails from members of
the public and those of a general nature for the
Register will of course be read and deal with by others
at the Register Office.
From
Register
Office ..........
18/5/07
IMPORTANT
ADMINISTRATION MESSAGE
Will
all members receiving jobs via e-mails please confirm
that they can do the work…Also could members who are
going on holiday please inform the register so we can
tell your potential customers.
email -
holidays@britishmolecatchers.co.uk
From
Webmaster ..........
1/5/07
The
BTMR are very pleased to announce a tie up with the NFU
for public liability insurance - this is been provided
at very competitive rates for our members.
Members can obviously
make large savings with this offer and it is yet another
benefit which BTMR Members can exclusively enjoy.
Click on the NFU Logo
opposite to see further detail
Click on the Logo
From
Andy Walbridge ..........
10/3/07
"Labour of Moles"
Great -
satisfying picture of a successful days activity !!!
