WHERE WE MEET: We currently meet the Third Wednesday of every month at St Francis Church Hall, Rider Haggard Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR7 9UQ. Parking is provided in the Medical Centre next door.

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Meetings are interesting and varied in subject from hatching to hibernation. From time to time we have guest speakers and members are invited to share their experiences, often supported by slides and photographs. Often tortoises are brought along to be shown off or for identification. Our group has remained informal, friendly and is open to anyone interested in tortoises, whatever their age.

MEMBERSHIP: At present it is £1 a meeting per person, to be paid at the door upon arrival. General membership is automatic after 3 visits to a meeting, once you have attended a meeting, please ensure you ensure you fill out a membership contact form. You are required to attend a minimum of three meetings to be considered for re-homing, but you may discuss and fill in an application before this.

MEETINGS:

Watch this space for updates of meetings planned. To check details or for further information, please message us via our contacts page.

COMING SOON!

Wednesday March 2012 – Tortoise Mad is a family run business specialising in UK captive bred tortoises. Tortoise Mad will be talking about their ongoing work to improve welfare of pet tortoises in the UK.

Wednesday 15th February 2012

WAKING UP FROM HIBERNATION – Talk on how you can help your tortoise make a safe and swift recover from hibernation. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions on all aspects of tortoise keeping. REPTOBOOST recovery sachets will also be available from club shop on night. If you are worried about your tortoise's weight please bring him/her along in a secure box & there will be ample time to discuss any concerns

January 18th January 2012

WELFARE WORK, REHOMING & VOLUNTEERING - Special talk about ongoing welfare, rescue and sanctuary work, being carried out by the Norfolk Tortoise Club. High lighting some of the tortoise hospital cases as well as national work to improve welfare of tortoises in captivity. Learn more about training to REHOME & VOLUNTEER with tortoise welfare locally! If u can't make meeting email us for info!

Wednesday 21st December at 8.00pm 2011

CHRISTMAS FUND-RAISING AND SOCIAL PARTY– Great way to get to know other members of the group and share experiences in tortoise keeping. Help & advice on hand as usual. Club shop will also be open to those needing to stock up on items. Quiz, raffle, buffet and drinks. Bring raffle prize, drink or food to share. Free entry, All welcome. Open to friends, family, visitors, members new and old.

Wednesday 16th November at 8.00pm 2011

Lynne Stoake will be our guest vet speaker. Known expert of pathogens found in tortoises, as well as long term keeper of tortoises herself. One not to miss!

Wednesday 19th October at 8.00pm 2011

TO BE CONFIRMED – Tortoise Mad is a family run business specialising in UK captive bred tortoises. Tortoise Mad will be talking about their ongoing work to improve welfare of pet tortoises in the UK.

Wednesday 21st September at 8.00pm 2011

HIBERNATION TALK : This is probably the most important meeting of the year as it is the preparation for hibernation meeting which seems to come around all too quickly - if you are worried about your tortoise's weight please bring him/her along in a secure box & there will be ample time to discuss any concerns

Wednesday August 17th at 8.00pm 2011

TO BE CONFIRMED – Guest Speaker David Alderton.

Wednesday 20th July at 8.00pm 2011

Junior member Olivia will be briefly talking about her pet tortoises with the aid of slides. Guest speaker Andy, from Suffolk tortoise club will also be making a brief talk on his keeping methods with slide photos. Opuntia cactus will also be on sale at the meeting as well as the usual club stock of seeds, calcium etc.

Wednesday 15th June at 8.00pm 2011

This months talk. "Confirmed" Helen from "The Tortoise Table" www.thetortoisetable.co.uk will be a special guest speaker at this months meeting. She will be talking about her group which focuses on teaching keepers about edible plants in captivity as well as her connections with welfare of tortoises in captivity"

Wednesday 18th May at 8.00pm 2011

We hope to have a special guest speaking about his experiences of running a dangerous wildlife animal wildlife facility (DWARF). More details to follow.

Wednesday 20th April at 8.00pm 2011
Talk on tortoise illness related to poor diet and husbandry. This will include real life examples of cases handled by club members.

Wednesday 16th March at 8.00pm 2011
If you have any concerns about your tortoises especially if they have just woken up you can bring them along and have them weighed checked etc (remember to bring them in a closed box the plastic containers with lids are the best & easiest to clean) and do not mix them with others and wash hands between handling. It is essential to get tortoises awake & eating a.s.a.p as they can soon deteriorate.

Wednesday 16th February at 8.00pm 2011
This will be the very important preparation for waking up meeting - the weather has been entremely cold this year & unfortunately we have already heard of many tortoises who have died due to their hibemation areas being too cold - some will undoubtedly survive but may have problems - do come along and learn how best to help your tortoise. We will also be selling REPTOBOOST at this meeting.

Note: REPTOBOOST is an eletrofite, probiotic & energy drink for tortoise in need of a pick-me-up & is added to bath or drinking water. As this product does not store well & is usually only needed once a year for waking tortoises the club will be selling small packets of REPTOBOOST for your waking tortoise. Packet price will start from £1.50 with all proceeds going towards the club funds.

Wednesday 19th January at 8.00pm 2011
The speaker will be Roman Muran who is an experienced tortoise keeper & has spent many years in the USA. Everybody with an interest in tortoises is welcome & also if you have any queries about your own tortoise please come along.

Wednesday 15th December at 8.00pm 2010
The annual Christmas get together - all are welcome - please bring along an item of food & it will be the usual mix of raffle, quiz etc. lf anyone has any prizes to donate for the raffle they will be welcomed by Marion & of course there will still be time to raise any questions/concerns you may have about your tortoise.

Wednesday 17th November at 8.00pm 2010
This meeting will concentrate on the Horsfield Tortoise the most northerly occuning species of tortoise - many people are becoming owners of this species without realising that their native habitat is quite different to the Mediterranean species & therefore they have different requirements. In the wild they dig tunnels making them great escape artists & they also hibemate for longer periods, but the climate is much drier than ours & the summers much hotter. We are all looking forward to learning more about their needs

Wednesday 20th October at 8.00pm 2010
Faye will be coming along to tell us about her baby tortoise called Danruin and her many other animals. Like many of us she keeps a variety of pets and she also talks to groups especially children.

Wednesday 15th September at 8.00pm 2010
This will be the annual Preparation for Hibernation meeting you can bring your tortoise along to have him/her weighed to assess 1f they are fit & healthy enough to hibernate. Learn how to calculate your tortoises weight & discuss how long to hibernate, where and at what temperature.

Wednesday 18th August at 8.00pm 2010
Matt will be talking to the Club about keeping & breeding marginated tortoises - this is one of the less common species with distinctively shaped shells - he also keeps other tortoises & he will answer any questions you may have.

Wednesday 21st July at 8.00pm 2010
Louise our tortoise specialist vet from All Creatures Great & Small at Horsford is coming along to talk about worming etc., & answer any questions you may have for her. We all found her very interesting & helpful last time she came & I know many of us have visited her practice & have found her very helpful & reassuring

Wednesdav 16th June at 8.00pm 2010
David Williams who is a Veterinary Ophthalmic Specialist who is interested in looking at tortoises eyes & if any of you have tortoises that you feel would benefit from having them looked at please bring them along to this meeting. Please remember to bring your tortoise in a sturdy box (plastic storage boxes are ideal) in order to keep them all separated & not pass on any infections & always wash hands or use antibacterial spray after touching any tortoise.

Also Marian Lawrence is running a tombola this year in aid of the Club on our stand at the Norfolk Show – she gives a prize every time & would very much appreciate any suitable prizes for adults or children if you have any unwanted gifts taking up space at home please let her have them (she did one a couple of weeks ago & raised £100 in 2 hours so needs quite a lot for 2 days!!!) you can contact her on email marian.lawerence@ntlworld.com
or mobile 07766551210 or see her at the next meeting she is our “tea lady”.

Wednesdav 19th May at 8.00pm 2010
Marion one of our members who breeds & sells tortoises is going to take us through the fascinating process of mating, egg laying, hatching & care of hatchlings. Marion keeps her babies until they are at least 2 years old so that she knows they are developing properly & also likes to get to know the potential new owner is able to provide the correct environment to give the baby a long & healthy life. This is the ideal meeting for anyone who is thinking of taking on a young tortoise & Marion will answer any questions regarding their care etc.

Wednesday 21st April at 8.00pm 2010

Wednesday 17th March at 8.00pm 2010
This meeting will be advice about the ideal summer set up for your tortoise - housing, space, food plants etc., & accommodation for those cooler summer days

Wednesday 17th February at 8.00pm 2010
The moment we are all waiting for 'Preparation for Waking Up from Hibernation' if anyone is at all worried about their tortoise wake it up get it warmed up, eating & drinking & for any advice ring us &/or contact a Vet (we have details of local Vets who are tortoise experts).

Wednesday 20th January at 8.00pm 2010
Matt is hoping to be able to give us the long awaited talk about keeping marginated tortoises which he was unable to do last winter.

Wednesday 16th December 2009
This will be our Xmas celebration, you are invited to bring along some food and any items you may wish to donate to the raffle. As always tortoise queries can be discussed and this will also be an oportunity to get to know each other.

Wednesday 18th November 2009
Andy will be talking to us about his Indian Star Tortoises and also selling cacti suitable for tortoises to eat and as always there will be time to ask questions and seek advice about any of your tortoises.

Wednesday 21st October 2009
John Hounslow from the UK Cites Management Authority from will be coming from Bristol to update us on the paperwork & cost etc., involved in breeding/importing & of keeping tortoises.

Wednesday 16th September 2009
This is probably the most important meeting of the year as it is the preparation for hibernation meeting which seems to come around all too quickly - if you are worried about your tortoise's weight please bring him/her along in a secure box & there will be ample time to discuss any concerns

Wednesday 22nd August 2009
John Hounslow rang to say he could not come to the August meeting but will speak in October instead - obviously this is short notice but we have a member who is happy to do a short talk about her collection & if any of you would like to tell us about your own collection & experience please email me to discuss/arrange - you do not have to do a power point presentation - any form of communication is fine - you can put forward any ideas & as you know from the last meeting it doesn't have to be just tortoises as most of us have other pets as well! - we should have more time to discuss tortoise queries & if you wish to bring your tortoise along please do but remember to have a secure box & wash hands after touching others so as not to transmit any infections between them.
Look forward to seeing you all - Lynne

Wednesday 15th July 2009
Donna will be our speaker (entertainer) at the July meeting - she has agreed to come along with her 2 young assistants - her son & daughter who many will remember are both very confident & knowledgeable & they will be bringing along a selection of their many pets - this was extremely popular last year & well worth coming along to enjoy.

Wednesday 17th June 2009
This will be the opportunity to have your tortoise checked & wormed for a small fee & as above we would ask that they are brought along in a secure box to stop any spread of possible infection & hand gel & washing facilities will be available.

Wednesday 20th May 2009
Louise the Vet from Horsford will be our speaker (as long as she does not have any emergency call outs) it is always good to have a little extra information just in case our tortoises are ill & she will be talking about the latest techniques especially the easier way to tube feed your sick tortoise & there will be time for a questions & answers session.

Members, new and old, are really welcome

Still only £1 per person, per meeting. Fantastic value!!!