Bill, a long established fancier, died on 12th September 2011 after a long illness and time in hospital with breathing problems. He was 88 years of age.

Bill came from a pigeon racing family for generations and he initially started in pigeons as well, but after army service he started with budgerigars when he joined the London & Southern Counties Budgerigar Society in 1946 followed by the Budgerigar Society in 1951. He became an honorary life member of both.

When Bill started his hobby in 1946 he was living in the Ilford area and soon after promoted himself to champion status and became a well sought after judge.

He had a wonderful stud of Light Greens during the seventies when he was in partnership with Fred Wright; however, before that he had two previous partnerships with Don Hart and then with Ralph Wickens.

The partnership with Fred took them to a very high level winning many major awards including BIS with a young Light Green cock at the London & Southern Counties BS show in 1972.

The strength of the stud was evident at the 1973 Budgerigar Society Club Show when their Light Greens won a large class and also 2nd, 4th, 5th & 7th in the class.

After the dissolution of that partnership, Bill showed on his own for a short while, and then went into his fourth partnership with Ron Sellen during the 1990s till Ron passed away.

As mentioned, Bill was a life member of both the Budgerigar Society. and London & Southern Counties Budgerigar Society and in 1993 the London & Southern Counties Budgerigar Society honoured him by making him President.

Bill will always be remembered for his great knowledge in budgerigars and the strength of the stud that he carried over so many years until he gave them up few years ago because of his health.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Anne, son Michael, his 2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Mrs Berry states that her brother, who works for the local county health department, received these photos from a colleague while he was traveling in the area of The Billabong Roadhouse – located between Geraldton and Carnarvon in Western Australia.

They were taken when he spotted a flock of thousands of budgerigars on the wing, flying around a dam nearby.

He stopped and no sooner had he done so than good numbers descended on his car and also entered the car with the doors having been left open. The group of people with him also found the birds were landing on them as well!

It is interesting to realise they had no fear at all of humans in this case.

One has therefore to speculate why this was so.

What were they looking for? Was the dam dry and they were after water from anywhere – who knows?

Australian Wild Budgerigars

Australian Wild Budgerigars

Australian Wild Budgerigars

Australian Wild Budgerigars

Nevertheless, my thanks for these photos for the pleasure of our enthusiasts, but forgive me if I allow myself a bit of license by saying:

They could use a bit more width and buffalo effect or they might get out through our standard cage fronts.

That aside, a delight to see such photos in all seriousness.

For example, I had no idea that among the now 140+ countries that access this site (for news and information on exhibition budgerigars) is Russia!

Imagine my surprise then, when I as contacted by Tania from Russia (she declines to reveal her surname being a relative novice by comparison to the fancier she wishes me to feature). Tania has asked me to feature her fellow Russian breeder, Svetlana Folomeeva.

Svetlana Folomeeva

Like myself, Svetlana Folomeeva became interested in our international hobby at the age of 12.

Visiting an exhibition at Karlsruhe in Germany, she witnessed super birds for the first time and became totally bitten by the challenge to breed quality budgerigars.

Her first buying venture was to buy birds in the Czech Republic (Czechia). These were modest birds so she branched out and has now visited many of the top European fanciers, among them Jo Mannes, Daniel Lütolf, Rein Dul, Florian Bock, Gyerkon Tibor and Willi Dokter. She now possesses a stud of some 150 birds!

I asked Svetlana to tell me where her main interests lay – where colour is concerned – and it proved to be broad ranging. Normals, Spangles, Yellow-faces and Red Eyes were the main favourites, but Opalines, Texas Clearbodies and Lacewings were present as well.

Breeding in Russia

I then asked how Russian breeders gained experience initially. It appears the Internet is a massive help and no doubt the Google Translation Service on this website proves of considerable assistance.

Next was the matter of foods that are available and the essential vitamins and minerals. What was the quality and availability? Again, I was surprised as there are good seed brands around, one of the best being sold under the name of “Rio”. That said, vitamins etc. are difficult to obtain as well as relevant disinfectants, both being in short supply. So these are obtained from within the EU and imported by individuals for themselves and their fellow fanciers.

Lastly the notorious Russian winters. How do they cope in such low temperatures? Yet again, no problems. All aviaries are fully equipped with heating to sustain breeding and general comfort.

A Seminar

The Moscow Budgerigar Society is called the “Apogee”.

There are currently just 14 breeders who have registered so far since 2011, so it is a young society which will undoubtedly grow.

Perhaps they will carry out some marketing to the public at large? Certainly they are spreading the word that they exist and that the challenging hobby of breeding exhibition budgerigars is now in existence in their vast country.

Three years ago, this go-ahead group, including Svetlana, organised their first seminar and invited Gyerkon Tibor to attend. Svetlana herself reciprocated by representing the Russian breeders at the Budapest Convention Meeting, where she met many well known international breeders and judges, including Ghalib Al-Nasser, the WBO Secretary.

Feeding Techniques

Because of the newness of the hobby in Russia, all outcrosses are bought in Europe – without exception.

When it comes to the seed and vitamin suppliers referred to, “Versele-Laga” features strongly as a favourite source (from a branch in Germany).

In addition to the basics, the Russian birds are fed with sprouted seeds, wheat, oats, barley, clover, lucerne, sunflower, corn, buckwheat, thistle, flax and safflower. A very broad range to say the least, but they cover collectively most of the vitamins etc. that the birds need to sustain the size and fecundity.

Welcome & Thank You

May I, on behalf of all fanciers worldwide, publicly welcome The Apogee Russian Budgerigar Society to the international fold.

Added to that is our appreciation to Tania for approaching Svetlana Folomeeva for an interview for this website.

It is a great opening for breeders outside Russia to learn of the existence of this society and may it go from strength to strength in the coming years.

Appeal

Is the breeding of exhibition budgerigars a newly growing interest in your country? If the answer is yes, then please contact us at Budgerigar.co.uk and let fanciers worldwide know of your existence.

Photographs

All photographs below of Svetlana’s aviary and birds were taken by (TBA) & kindly supplied to us by Tania.

Click on any image to enlarge it.

The aviary

The aviary

Young bird

Young bird

Young bird

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were close and in my budgerigar career I have much to thank him, not only for his friendship, but for his help on so many occasions.

Introduction

Fred Sherman was instantly likeable with a charisma that few possess.

A top fancier in every sense, but also having had a marvellous career in business, Fred passed away on the 29th December 2011 at his home in George, South Africa, which is located in the South African Cape region.

Fred and his wife Ailene, first came into the life of my wife and I, some 34 years ago. He arrived initially on his own at “Tanglewood”. I opened the door and as with all fanciers who met him, took an instant liking to this charming man. When his wife, Ailene, appeared a year later, again the bond with the four of us proved long lasting.

One of the major episodes for Joyce and I was Fred opening a massive door to South Africa for us. It was he who was the driving force to invite me to judge there and tour round aviaries in both Zimbabwe and South Africa – and for those who have never had that opportunity, Africa certainly grips you.

We were certainly gripped by this wonderful continent and have never ceased to appreciate Fred’s kindness and the considerable hospitality shown to us by all those we met.

Before the political unrest in Zimbabwe, our first visit occurred when it was still Rhodesia and its capital, Salisbury. Fred being the man he is, arranged for me to be on Rhodesian TV as there was a composite show being held in Salisbury called, “Mainly for Men”, with all sorts of displays to fit this title, including birds – a wonderful advertisement for the budgerigar hobby.

Leading Businessman

Fred began life in business at the age of 16 working in one of South Africa’s largest companies in a very junior capacity, but soon made his presence felt by having a passion for his work from day one.

His personal drive and ambition were to eventually lead to him being Managing Director of the Zimbabwe Associated Company.

Fred, on one occasion, was asked to host Robert Mugabe to lunch such was Fred’s position in Zimbabwe.

He then spent four years in the UK as chairman of his company, so having bought a home in Virginia Water we were able to share our hobby and friendship. This was a great help to us both as we covered both studs between us when either was away. He built a truly superb aviary with no expense spared.

On return to the company in South Africa, Fred was to find himself appointed to the main board.

Quite a rise having started as a lad of 16 years old and it shows what can be achieved by dedication and hard work.

In Retirement

In retirement in Johannesburg, he again renewed his attacking process with budgerigars and re-started, his UK Stud having been sold to Australia.

Budgerigars were imported by him from the UK to Johannesburg on completion of another smart aviary and of course Fred knew exactly what to expect – having the experience of breeding before when located in Zimbabwe.

I recall speaking later to Jorge Depina, the top Brazilian fancier known to many of us. Jorge is one of the great travelers in the budgerigar hobby and visited Fred three years later. I recall Jorge telling me that the birds Fred had by then, were to use his words:

“The finest adult birds, and young birds, that I have seen anywhere.”

Such was the skill of the breeder.

Nature Intervenes

A problem with a hip joint with wear and tear, turned very nasty after the new replacement connection became infected. The hip had to be re-opened and dealt with again and eventually re-joined again, only for the same infection to return once more.

Each time Fred was confined to bed for 3 months.

Finally, he decided enough was enough and he had his leg swinging freely after that, but could still drive very well.

He put the infection down to being bitten years before by, I think, a spider.

This situation, of course, left him with no alternative but to give up his passion for Show Budgerigars, being unable to stand at the same time as ringing chicks for example. Nevertheless, he was fit and well and that remained until he moved to George a few years ago. In recent times he unfortunately had further health problems.

Conclusion

Fred Sherman was a fine judge with a first class eye for quality to the millimetre. Few have that ability.

A regular lecturer, he was always good to listen to and collect ideas to apply to one’s own stud and with his business background had strong ideas on how clubs and societies should be organised.

As with all societies, be it budgerigars or golf clubs, changes for the better are sometimes rejected – something I know personally about in the UK.

However, that is life and Fred was aware of the phrase – “If you continue to organise a hobby in the way it has always been done, you will continue to get the results you have always had”. So true, all over the world.

Fred Sherman has been a great asset to our hobby.

He loved it and loved breeding a super bird as well as being a very good showman.

As it says in The Challenge – “A man who doesn’t lose his mind over something, has no mind to lose.”

Finally, on behalf of all fanciers worldwide, I send our deepest sympathy to Ailene and her children and grandchildren.

My abiding memory of Fred Sherman will always be of a fine South African gentleman which I am sure all who met him will endorse to the full.

We will miss you greatly Fred.

The show was organised by ZOOCVIT and took place at the House of Nature in Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine (Kiev is situated in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River).

Approximately 80 birds were benched from 5 regions in Ukraine.

Results

The major results were as follows:

• Best Any Age & Best in Show – Sergiy Ustenko
• Best Young Bird in Show – Vladimir Karpenko
• Best Opposite Sex Young Bird – Aleksandr Danyliuk
• Best Opposite Sex Any Age – Sergiy Ustenko

Judges

The judge was:

• Gerd Bleicher (Germany)

Photographs

All photographs below were taken by (TBA) & kindly supplied to us by Terry Tuxford.

Click on any image to enlarge it.

Best in Show & Best Any Age
S Ustenko

Best Young Bird
V Karpenko

Best Any Age Opposite Sex
A Danyliuk

Best Young Bird Opposite Sex
S Ustenko

The show took place in the market town of St. Georgen am Ybbsfelde in Amstetten (a district in north east Austria).

Approximately 280 birds were benched.

Results

The major results were as follows:

• Best in Show – Ladislav Groda
• Best Young Bird in Show – Karl Eben
• Best Opposite Sex Young Bird – Mario Bizour
• Best Opposite Sex Any Age – Jiri Rejha

Judges

The judge was:

• Tibor Gyerkó (Hungary)

Photographs

All photographs below were taken by (TBA) & kindly supplied to us by Terry Tuxford.

Click on any image to enlarge it.

Best in Show
Ladislav Groda

Best Young Bird in Show
Karl Eben

Best Any Age Opposite Sex
Jiri Rejha

Best Young Bird Opposite Sex
Mario Bizour

The show took place in the Giesenkirchen district of Mönchengladbach (a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, in western Germany. It is located west of the Rhine, half way between Düsseldorf and the Dutch border).

Over 1300 birds were benched.

Results

The major results were as follows:

• Best in Show & Best Young Bird – ZG Effertz/Heylen
• Best Any Age – Frank Nietgen
• Best Opposite Sex in Show & Best Opposite Sex Young Bird – ZG Henke
• Best Opposite Sex Any Age – Rolf Schüller

Judges

The judges were:

• Cor Booster (Netherlands)
• Günter Elfer (Germany)
• Hubert Janse (Germany)
• Richard Kuhr (Germany)
• Rigobert Müller (Germany)
• Rolf Amthor (Germany)
• Thorsten Moritz (Germany)
• Wim Hattink (Netherlands)

Photographs

All photographs below were taken by (TBA) & kindly supplied to us by Terry Tuxford.

Click on any image to enlarge it.

Best in Show
Best Young Bird
ZG Effertz / Heylen

Best Any Age
Frank Nietgen

Best Young Bird Opposite Sex
ZG-Henke

Best Any Age Opposite Sex
Rolf Schüller

The show took place in the town of Ringkøbing on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula in west Denmark.

Approximately 500 birds were benched.

Results

The major results were as follows:

• Best in Show & Best Any Age – Rasmussen & Kenneth Jensen
• Best Young Bird – Ole Vinding
• Best Any Age Opposite Sex – Rasmussen & Kenneth Jensen
• Best Young Bird Opposite Sex – Jesper & Per Jørgensen

Judges

The judges were:

• Detlef Hinrichs (Germany)
• Peter Heckner (Germany)

Photographs

All photographs below were taken by Benny Bo Larsen & kindly supplied to us by Terry Tuxford

Click on any image to enlarge it.

Best in Show
Rasmussen & Kenneth Jensen

Best Young Bird
Ole Vinding

Best Opposite Sex
Rasmussen & Kenneth Jensen

Best Young Bird Opposite Sex
Jesper & Per Jørgensen

The ACEP-SBS is Spain’s national budgerigar society.

The show took place at the public library in Náquera, which is located 23 km north of Valencia in eastern Spain.

Approximately 130 birds were benched.

Results

The major results were as follows:

• Best in Show & Best Any Age – Salvador Riambau
• Best Young Bird – Valerie Bedwell
• Best Any Age Opposite Sex – Salvador Riambau
• Best Young Bird Opposite Sex – Salvador Riambau

Judges

The judge was:

• Rinus van den Broek (Netherlands)

Photographs

All photographs below were taken by (TBA) & kindly supplied to us by Terry Tuxford

Click on any image to enlarge it.

Best in Show
Salvador Riambau

Best Young Bird
Valerie Bedwell

Best Any Age Opp Sex
Salvador Riambau

Best Young Bird Opp Sex
Salvador Riambau

The show took place at the Restaurant Blümlisalp in Alterswil (just south west of Bern in western Switzerland).

Results

The major results were as follows:

• Best in Show & Best Young Bird – ZG Giger & Waser
• Best Any Age – ZG Giger & Waser
• Best Opposite Sex in Show & Best Opposite Sex Young Bird – Jasmin Habegger
• Best Opposite Sex Any Age – Guido Manco

Judges

The judges were:

• Christian Back (Germany)
• Roberto Sabatini (Italy)

Photographs

All photographs below were kindly supplied to us by: Marcel Bühler

Click on any image to enlarge it.

Best in Show & Best Young Bird
ZG Giger & Waser

Best Any Age
ZG Giger & Waser

Best Opposite Sex in Show
& Best Opposite Sex Young Bird
Jasmin Habegger

Best Opposite Sex Any Age
Guido Manco