In 1995 the group was very active in carrying out survey work in relation to a National Badger Survey, in carrying out mitigation work to control the effects of badgers on behalf of many landowners in Shropshire and dealing with the effects of the Badgers Act which was enacted in 1992. As is the case in many voluntary organisations, most of the work fell on the shoulders of a small band of willing helpers who were also trying to cope ( very well ) with fund raising through the sales stand and through talks etc. At this point the group came to the conclusion that it was in a sufficiently strong financial position to advertise for a Field Officer to lift some of this burden.

After an interview in November 1995, I was fortunate enough to be offered this role and have fulfilled it ever since. During that period I have completed numerous jobs for the group, some involving no more than moving road casualties and some lasting several days and involving the use of a mini digger etc. The stated aim of the post was to co - ordinate surveys, to deal with problems for householders, farmers, Councils, Utilities, the Highway Authority etc, and to arrange and supervise or perform licence work on behalf of those people.

A common task is dealing with badgers that come into peoples gardens and dig up their lawns and flower beds, I started off using a repellent used on golf courses which drives worms which the badgers are after deeper into the ground and masks their scent. This together with the use of Renadine, is an effective short term measure but I experimented with the use of an electric fencer coupled to electrified sheep netting and found this to be far more effective. I probably do 10 to 12 of these a year.

I work in all weather conditions and vividly remember using a mini - digger in Cheswardine on probably the wettest October day for many years and having a sinking feeling in my stomach as the digger slowly vanished into the ground!! It took me the best part of an hour to dig my way out. I do a lot of survey work for companies like Severn Trent Water, British Telecom, Midlands Electricity etc, to check out the locations of proposed works prior to the establishment of the final routs, and I also liaise with the District Council planning departments, Developers, etc, prior to planning permissions being granted.

A big part of the job is working with farmers and landowners, to control the damage that badgers can cause and, hopefully, to encourage the farmer to live happily side by side with the badger. Another part of the job which I particularly enjoy is giving talks to clubs, groups, cubs, scouts etc, which sometimes creates income but almost always helps people to understand the life of the badger better, to understand the threats that it is still under and to enlist their support in the aims and work of the group.

I am a naturalised countryman having escaped from the city of Liverpool in 1962 and I have been involved with agriculture and country matters ever since so feel that I can empathise with farmers, landowners and householders with ease being able to see both sides of many problems.

Lance Jackson. Field Officer.