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Opticron Open Day at Lockley Lodge

10/06/2021 Madi Bowden-Parry Comment

Come and join us on Saturday 3rd July to experience some of Opticrons new and best tech for wildlife watching!

If you've ever visited Skomer or Skokholm Islands you will know that a good pair of binoculars is a must-have in your backpack. Now you can sample the best of Opticron binoculars and more at Lockley Lodge on Saturday 3rd July 8.30am-2pm.

Whether you're heading to the island or not, swing by Lockley Lodge visitor centre on the mainland at Martins Haven to try out the tech.

We will be accompanied by the very knowledgeable people from Opticron. They will be spending the day at our Island's visitor centre showcasing some of their new range of binoculars, monoculars and scopes and giving people a chance to try before you buy.

They'll also be on hand for any questions that you might have about their products!

For more information call 01646636800.

Wildlife Trust 8x32 Opticron Oregon Binoculars

Skomer Online Booking System – Launch Date!

We are delighted to announce that the new pre-booking system for Skomer Island day visits will be LIVE from Tuesday 13th April 2021!

The need to manage the flow of visitors safely through Lockley Lodge at Martin’s Haven and onwards to Skomer Island has led to the introduction of an online booking system. As the need for social distancing continues traditional queues at Lockley Lodge must be discouraged and it is hoped that by ensuring tickets are purchased in advance the queues will not materialise. Guests will still be able to visit Lockley Lodge (SA62 3BJ) as they will need to ‘check-in’ at least one hour before their allocated departure time.

At the time of writing it is clear that fewer people will be allowed on each boat and this will reduce the overall number of visitors to the island on any one day. Tickets will not be transferrable or allowed for resale and there will be a maximum number of 6 tickets available per customer. Requirements for larger numbers of tickets will be dealt with on a case by case basis, please contact islands@welshwildlife.org for further information. Please note that this email address is not monitored daily so please allow time
for a response.

Tickets can be booked through the Pembrokeshire Islands website where further information is available. Sailings will commence when Welsh Government guidance allows.

Free Landing Membership Benefit.

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales has suffered a considerable loss of income during the 2020/2021 season. The effects of the Coronavirus pandemic have been dramatic and the Trust has not been left unscathed by the impact of the virus, with cost cutting and some loss of valued staff as a result.

Our commitment to and delivery of conservation has continued during the pandemic with much of our conservation delivery fortunately unaffected. This has only been possible with the membership subscriptions and many kind, generous donations from our members. We have been humbled by the generosity of many of our supporters throughout this difficult time when many have experienced sadness and loss of their own.

One of the few ways in recent years that we have been able to recognise your support and kindness was to offer free landing on Skomer island. The free landing benefit always represented an erosion of our charitable income but was sustainable and a benefit that we have been committed to offer. The significant amount of income lost during the last financial year and the projected further loss of income in the 2021/22 financial year does mean that we will sadly be forced to temporarily remove this benefit.

This decision was difficult and not been taken lightly and the Trust remains committed to re-instating it for next season on the clear assumption that income returns to a more normal level. Our member’s support for the charity has always been altruistic rather than transactional and whilst we do recognise that the temporary removal of the free landing benefit will be upsetting for some we do feel that safeguarding the finances, future and work of the charity for this next uncertain year is paramount. We are confident that your continuing support will enable us to maintain our delivery of conservation on Skomer, Skokholm and our land based reserves during these difficult times.

Please read more to find out the latest on overnight stays...

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