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Pentacle going batty about bats
Added: (Sat Oct 18 2003)
Pentacle Magazine is an independent publication for
Pagans of all paths. It has a strong environmental and Archaeological stance as well as providing insight into many wide and varied aspects of Pagan life.
Known for its high standard of articles and art work
is it run totally by volunteers on a non profit making
basis. Pentacle has the highest circulation of an
independent Pagan magazine in the UK, sold in over 150
outlets, it reaches nearly 12,000 Pagans and has had
to increase its print run every single issue.
Our Magazine has chosen the Bat Conservation Trust as
its ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2003. The Magazine will
be supporting The BCT through magazine articles and
promotions, a featured stall at the Halloween Bash, a
large Pagan Festival in London and organised events
such as a Bat-Trek in late September. (see website for
details) There are sixteen species of bat living in
Britain, all surviving on a diet of only insects. They
have wing spans ranging from 19 to 35cm and can live
up to 30 years. The most common of these is the tiny pipistrelle which weighs about the same as a two pence piece (5 grams) and is only 3 - 4 cm long. Sadly all species of bat in the UK have experienced a severe decline in numbers in the past one hundred years, 6 species are Endangered or Rare and 6 others are considered Vulnerable.
Often very misunderstood, they are blamed for many
things from Rabies to Vampirism, bats have actually
been present on the earth for 50 million years. In
fact, just under a quarter of all mammal species on
the planet are bats! Some of the more common
misconceptions about bats are easily dispelled. For
example, although bats do have poor eyesight, they are
not in fact blind and using an advanced system of
echolocation, they are extremely manoeuvrable in the
dark. Bats rarely carry rabies, certainly no more than
any other species and they are most often found living
in fairly modern houses, none of this crumbly castle
rubbish for our twentieth century friends! If bats are
found roosting in your house, it is illegal to disturb
either them or their roosts, contact an organisation
like the Bat Preservation Society or your local branch
of the RSPCA and they will handle the situation or put
you in contact with the correct authorities.
The Bat Conservation Trust.
The Bat Conservation Trust is the only organisation
solely devoted to the conservation of bats and their
habitats in the British Isles. It is a highly
respected and established organisation combining the
strengths of professionals and amateur experts. It
supports a network of over 90 voluntary Bat Groups and
Runs the National bat Monitoring Programme - the first programme of its kind to monitor bats on such a large scale. It Operates a dedicated national Bat Helpline which supports and provides information to people who find bats in their property as well as actively campaigning for stronger measures for the protection of bats and for effective implementation.
So where do we come in to all this you might be
asking, well so far at Pentacle we have raised around
£150 through our online bookstore and through sales
and donations at our stall at this years Beltaine Bash
in Conway Hall, London. But the bats still need help.
Donations can be made to pentacle magazine at:
Pentacle Magazine, 78 Hamlet rd, Southend-on-Sea,
Essex, SS1 1HH. (Cheques made payable to 'Pentacle' ),
online by clicking the ’donate to bats’ link or simply
check out our online bookstore ‘Shopping Arcadia’
where you not only get a whopping 20% discount on our
extensive range of pagan books, but we also make a
donation to The Bat Conservation Trust for every
purchase. Alternatively, come along to our stall at
the Halloween bash again in Conway Hall, later this
year and have a look at all of our lovely information
on our furry, flying friends.
If you are interested in learning more about these
fascinating animals, there will be a number of Walks
happening over the August Bank Holiday weekend. there
are walks in London, Wales, Essex, Hertfordshire and
other places, so check out http://www.bats.org.uk for information about your local Bat Group.
For further information contact: The Bat Conservation
Trust 15 Cloisters House 8 Battersea Park Road London
SW8 4BG Tel: 020 7627 2629