Contacts

Webmaster’s note:  Email links on this page are designed to compose a new message in your chosen email program, with the appropriate email address filled in. This helps to hide our addresses from web ‘bots’ that collect addresses to send us spam and malware. However, if you use Webmail rather than a separate email Client program but your web browser or your operating system is not set up correctly with a default email hander (e.g. for Gmail) then these links may not work.

If the links don’t work for you, please complete this General Contact Form and I’ll route your enquiry to the right person at BDS.

For matters relating to Dragonfly conservation, habitats, volunteer recording or general information about Dragonflies please contact a Conservation Officer:

Eleanor Colver
Conservation Officer

c/o Natural England
Parkside Court
Hall Park Way
TELFORD, TF3 4LR

Mobile: 07792 231 925
Email
Growing up next to the Peak District, I spent much of my childhood scrambling around the national park with nets and jars, attempting to catch insects. Since then my fascination with natural history has continued to strengthen, and this motivated me to undertake a BSc Zoology with Conservation (Bangor University) and an MSc Biodiversity and Conservation (Leeds University). After graduating, I spent a year wading around in RSPB wetland reserves as a Warden Intern, performing practical habitat management with volunteers. I also spent two seasons as the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project’s Senior Research Assistant, monitoring upland wildlife. During this time I had the opportunity to observe Odonata in a range of habitats, and found that the more I learnt about their ecology the more I wanted to discover. I feel so fortunate that I now have a job that allows me to work with fellow dragonfly enthusiasts across the country, as well as contribute to the conservation of some of Britain’s most charismatic insects.
Andrea Hudspeth
Scotland Officer - Projects

Mobile: 07960 391297
Email
I became interested in natural history from a very early age probably going back as far as a toddler when I would watch birds feeding in the garden with my Mum. After spending a good few years working as a Manager within the Customer Service, Retail and Hospitality sectors I moved across to Adult Education Teaching and whilst there I became aware of the possibility of a career in nature conservation. I studied for my BSc at the University of Hull and since graduating I have worked for a number of conservation organisations and also ecological consultancies. I now have my own company offering wildlife tours in West Perthshire. My love of nature knows no bounds and working with dragonflies in going to be a sheer joy
Daniele Muir
Scotland Officer - Conservation

Mobile: 07749 768117
Email
I worked for the BDS from 2013 to 2017, with a break to study for an MSc in Sustainability in 2018. I am delighted to return to work with dragonflies, this time with more of an emphasis on the conservation of the rarer species in Scotland. I am looking forward to working with these beautiful insects again, as well as engaging volunteers to help improve habitats for dragonflies on our Hotspots, Key Sites and other wetlands.

For matters relating to outreach, engagement, media, Dragonfly News magazine, events and volunteering please contact our Conservation Officer:

Lauren Kennedy
Engagement Officer

Email
Growing up in South Wales I was not short of amazing wild spaces to explore, I soon became obsessed with botany and a wide range of invertebrate groups. I went on to study a BSc Biology at Cardiff University followed by MSc Environmental Biology at Swansea University. I have worked for several organisations; Natural England, Field Studies Council and Bumblebee Conservation Trust, in which I have focused on public engagement, working with volunteers and creating training. I spend most of my time outdoors and can be found looking for plants and insects as well as hiking in the mountains. I feel very privileged to join the team and to share with others the magnificence and importance of dragonflies. I am looking forward to playing a part in the conservation effort for dragonflies and the habitats they need.

For queries about Membership or the BDS e-Newsletter please contact the Membership & Operations Officer.
To join the Society go to our Membership page where you can now join online or download a membership application form.

Jess Slight
Membership & Operations Officer, Shop Manager

British Dragonfly Society
PO Box 4918
NEWCASTLE
ST55 9JX

Mobile: 07425 615285
Email

Nature and the world around us has always offered huge inspiration and joy to me. I spend as much time as I possibly can outdoors, walking and swimming. It was through swimming that I first started to discover Dragonflies and have been enchanted ever since.

I graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2018 with a degree in Illustration and am thrilled to have Dragonflies as my latest subject. I’m so pleased to be joining BDS as Operations Officer and can’t wait to delve in and learn more about these magnificent insects.

For matters relating to fundraising please contact our Fundraising Officer:

Sarah Miller
Development and Operations Manager

16 Blacksmiths Field
Crowhurst
Battle
East Sussex
TN33 9AX

Email

For matters relating to dragonfly recording, BDS records database or our website please contact the Records Officer:

David Hepper
Records Officer

Telephone: 01252 721053
Mobile: 07768 452365
Email
My background in computing and degree in Biological Sciences should be useful in this role, having been a long-time supporter of the BDS. I'm also interested in local food, sustainable transport and the effects of rising human population on the natural world.

For more information about the British Dragonfly Society please contact the Secretary:

Carolyn Cooksey
Secretary

Ashcroft,
Brington Road,
Old Weston,
Huntingdon,
PE28 5LP

Email
I have been obsessed with dragonflies for quite a few years now, and spend as much time as possible watching them each summer.  I am lucky to have enjoyed several holidays in Europe focused on dragonflies, while at home I record sightings and try and improve my photography!  I have worked for Anglian Water for nearly 30 years in many roles from scientific to project management, and currently I lead a small team focused on gathering insights about our customers' priorities and preferences, which drive our future business planning.  I am also a volunteer Ranger at the Great Fen Project, managed by the Wildlife Trust.    I am delighted to be joining the Trustee Board of the BDS having been a keen member for some time, and hope I can use my experience and skills to benefit the society.

For financial matters please contact the Treasurer:

Brian Walker
Treasurer

Email
I am a Chartered Mechanical Engineer who became a bird watcher while at school and gradually developed an interest in other wildlife. I was drawn into the dragonfly community when I bumped into someone looking at Variable Damselflies at Hatchmere in Cheshire and was recruited to help with the Cheshire Atlas and into BDS. I subsequently moved to Oxfordshire and became more involved while retaining my broader interests.

To purchase items from our shop please go to the BDS Shop where you can now order items online.

Jess Slight
Membership & Operations Officer, Shop Manager

British Dragonfly Society
PO Box 4918
NEWCASTLE
ST55 9JX

Mobile: 07425 615285
Email

Nature and the world around us has always offered huge inspiration and joy to me. I spend as much time as I possibly can outdoors, walking and swimming. It was through swimming that I first started to discover Dragonflies and have been enchanted ever since.

I graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2018 with a degree in Illustration and am thrilled to have Dragonflies as my latest subject. I’m so pleased to be joining BDS as Operations Officer and can’t wait to delve in and learn more about these magnificent insects.

Contributions to the Journal of the British Dragonfly Society should be sent to the Journal Editor:

Dr Peter Mill
Journal Editor

8 Cookridge Grove
LEEDS
LS16 7LH

Email

For matters related to the Dragonfly Conservation Group, research and grant applications contact the Dragonfly Conservation Group (DCG) Convenor:

Pam Taylor
Trustee & DCG Convenor

Email
My childhood interest in bird-watching expanded over the years to include other wildlife including mammals, butterflies and finally, in 1986, dragonflies. This interest in dragonflies and their wetland habitats coincided with surveys for a Norfolk dragonfly atlas. I soon became involved in recording activities and by the mid-1990s I was Norfolk’s County Recorder. I first became a BDS Trustee in 2000; taking over as Dragonfly Conservation Group Convenor in 2001. I was elected BDS President in 2008 and served in that capacity for five years. Following a break from national duties, I once again became DCG Convenor early in 2016. My main interests remain with dragonfly conservation and all the work I do is aimed at protecting their habitats and making people more aware of this fascinating group of insects.

If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this web site please contact the Webmaster:

David Hepper
Records Officer

Telephone: 01252 721053
Mobile: 07768 452365
Email
My background in computing and degree in Biological Sciences should be useful in this role, having been a long-time supporter of the BDS. I'm also interested in local food, sustainable transport and the effects of rising human population on the natural world.

To register your event in the Dragonfly News magazine (deadline: end of January) or to discuss organising a field meeting, contact the Field Meetings Organiser:

Mike Averill
Field Meetings Organizer

Email

For enquiries and comments relating to migrant and rare species contact our Odonata Rarities Committee:

 

Adrian Parr
Migrant Dragonflies Project Coordinator

Email

For queries and requests for BDS publications contact the Librarian/Archivist:

 

Dave Goddard
Librarian/Archivist

30 Cliffe Hall Avenue
Stapleford
NOTTINGHAM
NG9 7HD

Email

Chairman and Trustees

Tim Coleshaw
Chair

Email
I have recently retired from a career in countryside and wildlife management, latterly with Natural England where I was responsible for the management of National Nature Reserves in the West Midlands, including a key site for White-faced Darter.  For the last 20 years I have acted as host for and worked alongside the BDS Conservation Officers in NE’s Shrewsbury and Telford offices so have a good knowledge of the Society. Apart from invertebrate conservation my main interests are photography and sailing.
Carolyn Cooksey
Secretary

Ashcroft,
Brington Road,
Old Weston,
Huntingdon,
PE28 5LP

Email
I have been obsessed with dragonflies for quite a few years now, and spend as much time as possible watching them each summer.  I am lucky to have enjoyed several holidays in Europe focused on dragonflies, while at home I record sightings and try and improve my photography!  I have worked for Anglian Water for nearly 30 years in many roles from scientific to project management, and currently I lead a small team focused on gathering insights about our customers' priorities and preferences, which drive our future business planning.  I am also a volunteer Ranger at the Great Fen Project, managed by the Wildlife Trust.    I am delighted to be joining the Trustee Board of the BDS having been a keen member for some time, and hope I can use my experience and skills to benefit the society.
Brian Walker
Treasurer

Email
I am a Chartered Mechanical Engineer who became a bird watcher while at school and gradually developed an interest in other wildlife. I was drawn into the dragonfly community when I bumped into someone looking at Variable Damselflies at Hatchmere in Cheshire and was recruited to help with the Cheshire Atlas and into BDS. I subsequently moved to Oxfordshire and became more involved while retaining my broader interests.
Peter Brown
Trustee

Email
I’ve have been fascinated by wildlife since I was a young boy and I’m now fortunate enough to live on my own small nature reserve on the North East Essex coast. We have a nice variety of habitat on site, including deer passing through, birds from gold crests to marsh harriers and a good selection of insects including several dragonfly species. I work as an IT Consultant in the finance sector and I’m looking forward to helping run the BDS
Pam Taylor
Trustee & DCG Convenor

Email
My childhood interest in bird-watching expanded over the years to include other wildlife including mammals, butterflies and finally, in 1986, dragonflies. This interest in dragonflies and their wetland habitats coincided with surveys for a Norfolk dragonfly atlas. I soon became involved in recording activities and by the mid-1990s I was Norfolk’s County Recorder. I first became a BDS Trustee in 2000; taking over as Dragonfly Conservation Group Convenor in 2001. I was elected BDS President in 2008 and served in that capacity for five years. Following a break from national duties, I once again became DCG Convenor early in 2016. My main interests remain with dragonfly conservation and all the work I do is aimed at protecting their habitats and making people more aware of this fascinating group of insects.
Bailey Tait
Trustee

I've always been fascinated by the world around me from the pebbles on the ground to the birds in the skies. I studied physical geography at university and became obsessed with telling people about our natural world and its vast variety of species and spectacles. I now work for Essex Wildlife Trust developing and leading campaigns that encourage people to take action for nature. I'm also Editorial Assistant for the Trust's magazine and enjoy all parts of the Communications remit, especially working with press and media. I fell in love with dragonflies when I was on placement at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the Norfolk Hawker quickly became my favourite species! I am looking forward to delving deeper into the world of dragonflies and helping BDS to reach and engage more people.
Carmel Edwards
Trustee

I have a background in sustainable food and land use policy and programmes and working in environmental NGOs, including WWF and RSPB. I bring to the trustee team a range of skills, including in policy, campaigns and fundraising. I am lucky enough to live near one of the UK’s dragonfly hotspots, Paxton Pits in Cambridgeshire. My favourite pastime is getting out in nature (walking, kayaking and wild swimming) to watch the wildlife.
Josh Younespour
Trustee

Wildlife and nature have played a central role in my life, like many people I have fond memories of exploring the countryside’s rivers, woods and fields, finding all manner of creatures. I’m happy to say that dragonflies have been a regular sight since moving to the Cambridgeshire Fens. I bring with me many years of experience working in policy and stakeholder management roles within the public and charitable sectors. I hope to help the BDS’s staff and volunteers to take the work being done even further and reach an even greater audience.

Webmaster’s note:  Email links on this page are designed to compose a new message in your chosen email program, with the appropriate email address filled in. This helps to hide our addresses from web ‘bots’ that collect addresses to send us spam and malware. However, if you use Webmail rather than a separate email Client program but your web browser or your operating system is not set up correctly with a default email hander (e.g. for Gmail) then these links may not work.

If the links don’t work for you, please complete this General Contact Form and I’ll route your enquiry to the right person at BDS.

Title image: Common Blue Damselfly by Bruce Hyde