He shows in partnership with Les Chadwick, another long term fancier.

They both live in the North East of England.

An interview by Barrie Shutt

BS – When did you start up in the hobby Bruce?

Bruce Ross:

It seems a long time ago when I used to take my children to the local park in Redcar in the early 1970′s to see the birds in the aviary.

I was very taken by the budgies flying about chattering and I was bitten by the budgie bug.

Since then, although I took time out for a couple of years in the 1990′s, I have always been involved at some level.

BS – Tell us how you became a committee man

Bruce Ross:

It was shortly after I purchased the Cage Birds magazine and found out that there was a society in Redcar.

It was 1974 and the secretary at that time was Dave Kempen who I had been in the same class with at the local primary school.

Less than a year later, Dave went to work abroad. The secretary’s role needed to be filled and my background in administration prepared me in some measure to take over.

It was a case of jumping in at the deep end, but I enjoyed it – we even ran our first open show.

At the same time, I also joined the Budgerigar Society (BS), Yorkshire Budgerigar Society (YBS) and the Northern Budgerigar Society (NBS) and I am still a member.

To this day I am Assistant Secretary, Publicity officer and Web Master of the Northern Budgerigar Area Society.

BS – Sadly Redcar eventually disbanded, which surprised me as the North East had such a large influx of breeders in those days, did it not Bruce?

Bruce Ross:

It is always sad to see the small societies close, but with some of the other members from Redcar I joined up with the Teesside BS, which was located close by, in Middlesbrough.

They welcomed my skills and experience on the committee.

Since then I have held, I think, every committee position. Just recently, I stood down as secretary but this year I hold the office of president.

BS – It is clear that you are very proud of that, Bruce

Bruce Ross:

It was a very great honour.

I was doubly honoured, because as well as being president at Teesside, I was also presented the Golden Bird Award for work with the NBS.

I am proud to be associated with a group of such a hard working group members who go the extra mile to keep the hobby alive and the region strong.

BS – I could not help but notice that you’ve moved on from your old brownie camera

Bruce Ross:

Progress!

A few years ago I bought a camcorder with which I took footage of the local shows and members’ bird rooms.

With the permission and backing of the members, I then make presentations to local societies and act as a panel member with colleagues from NBS when needed.

I enjoy this part of the hobby.

It is a great way to show off the calibre of our members’ birds, and also to get to know the members better.

BS – A few words to sum up then, Bruce

Bruce Ross:

Since starting in the early 1970′s I have made some lifelong friends and it is great to be able to meet up with them at the club show and the local shows.

Behind any contented budgie man there must be a good woman and my wife has always been there for me to suffer my ups and downs. I am so grateful to her – she even puts up with me treading seed into the house!

A Note from GSB

The show took place at the Dome in Doncaster (in South Yorkshire, in northern England).

Results

The major results were as follows:

• Best in Show – L Martin
• Best Young Bird in Show – D G Bowley
• Best Any Age in Show – L Martin
• Best Opposite Sex Young Bird in Show – G Ludlow
• Best Opposite Sex Any Age in Show – G & A Moore

The full results can be viewed here (PDF): 2011 BS World Show – Full Results

Record Equaling Achievement

This is the second year in a row that Les Martin (from Studham, Bedfordshire, England) has won Best in Show, and in doing so he has equaled the record first set by Freakley & Ainley in 2008.

Freakley & Ainley won back to back Budgerigar Society World Championships – first in 2007 with their Sky Blue cock and again in 2008 with their Dominant Pied Grey Green cock (the first of its variety to win the world show)

Les Martin won Best Budgerigar in Show in 2010 with his massive, superb quality, Grey Green and this year won with his Normal Skyblue – so much admired when it had a spot down in 2008.

Congratulations Les on this achievement.

Judges

The judges were:

• John Alcock
• Dominic Avo
• Roger Carr
• Jac Cuyton
• Philip Dye
• Dave Hislop
• Robbie Keeber
• John Lees
• Joe Nevin
• Ron Payne
• Jim Rogerson
• Raymond Rogerson
• Ray Steele
• Terry Tuxford

Photographs

The photographs below were kindly supplied to us by: Terry Tuxford

Click on an image to enlarge it.

Best in Show
Les Martin

Best Young Bird in Show
D G Bowley

Best Young Bird Opposite Sex
G Ludlow

Best Any Age Opposite Sex
G & A Moore

The Dome
Bawtry Road
Doncaster
DN4 7PD

It is an event not to be missed!

Seminar

Apart from the thousands of top quality birds benched for fanciers from all over the world to admire, there will be a seminar on the Saturday morning with one of our top and successful partnerships, that of Tom & Andrew Luke, as the guest speakers.

The seminar will kick off at 9.30 am. Tickets are £10 each and include entry to the seminar, light refreshments, plus entry to the show on Saturday only.

Those who attend the seminar will be invited to watch judging of the Best in Show and other major awards.

Judging

While Tom & Andrew are busy delivering their presentation, there will be 14 judges judging their respective colours as follows:

• John Alcock
• Dominic Avo
• Roger Carr
• Jac Cuyten (Holland)
• Philip Dye
• Dave Hislop (Budgerigar Society’s President)
• Robbie Keeber
• John Lees
• Joe Nevin (Eire)
• Ron Payne
• Jim Rogerson
• Raymond Rogerson
• Ray Steel
• Terry Tuxford

The section judging will be in the capable hands of:

• Robert Ellis
• Peter Hutchinson
• Maurice Roberts
• Dave Wall (who will be invited next year to judge the colours)

The show committee has reverted back to accepting birds on the Friday only, as judging will commence on Saturday at 09.00 am. Birds will be accepted from 2.00 – 10.00 pm.

Quiz & Gala Dinner

As an added attraction there will be a Friday Night General Knowledge Quiz at the Holiday Inn commencing at 9.00 pm.

The Saturday evening Gala Dinner will be at the Holiday Inn (formally the Moat House).

Tickets for the dinner, at £25 each, can be booked with Pete Hutchinson (Tel: +44 (0)1625 420269) by sending him a cheque payable to “The Budgerigar Society” together with a stamped addressed envelope to:

125 Moss Lane
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK11 7XE

Auction of Promises, Tombola & Raffle

On Sunday afternoon at 1.00 pm Geoff Capes, assisted by John Alcock, will be on the hammer with the ever popular Auction of Promises with many quality birds promised from top leading fanciers together with many other superb items and promises.

This has been extremely popular over the years and generates valuable income towards staging the next show.

Throughout the weekend Norman & June Cox, helped by Jackie Fox, will want you to visit them at their great tombola stand with lots and lots of prizes to be won – so go to them and have a go and be one of the winners! Don’t forget also to participate in the Club Show Raffle while you are there.

Trophies & Prizes

The finale will be when our President, Dave Hislop, takes to the trophy stand to present the array of 92 trophies to their prospective winners with the new trophy “Jim Moffat Memorial Trophy for Breeder of the Year” added for the first time. Will you be one of them?

There are a many incentives for exhibitors apart from competing at the highest level.

£1000 has been donated by Geoff Bowley in memory of his father the late Derrick Bowley, past president of The Budgerigar Society.

There will be £200 for the Best Young Bird in each of the five sections including the juniors providing the Best Young Bird in that section is a Normal Skyblue; the late Derrick’s favourite colour. If the winning young bird section colour is not a Skyblue then the £200 will be carried forward to next year’s show for competition in that section.

The Budgerigar Society will be presenting Georgian Crystal to the major winners and the Any Age section winners will each receive Georgian Crystal and £30 while £25, £20, £15 & £10 will go for 2nd – 5th Best.

The Young Bird section winners will each receive Georgian Crystal and £45 while £35, £30, £25 & £20 will go for 2nd – 5th Best.

The Junior sections will get sports vouchers, a framed certificate and £20 for the winner and £10 & £5 for 2nd & 3rd Best in both the Any Age & Young Bird sections.

Rosettes will be awarded to all the Best of Colour & Opposite Sex in both the Any Age & Young Birds.

Patronage

Patronage has been received from all 10 area societies and the Show is also the Club Show of the following:

• Clearwing Budgerigar Breeders’ Association
• Crested Budgerigar Club
• Lutino & Albino Budgerigar Society
• Rare Variety & Colour Budgerigar Society
• Spangled Budgerigar Breeders’ Association
• Variegated Budgerigar Club

Trade Stands, Sales & AFS Show

Apart from all of the above there is an array of Trade Stands at the show for fanciers to be able to stock up with all their needs before the commencement of the breeding season; of course not forgetting the large number of birds that will be in the Sales section.

An added attraction is that the Australian Finch Society will be holding their show at the Dome as well and more information about the AFS show can be obtained from Lisa Barnsdale (Tel: +44 (0)1522 546692)

Show Schedule

The show will be open to the public on Saturday between 2.00 – 6.00 pm and on Sunday 9.30am – 4.00pm. Admission to the show is £6 per person and a catalogue is £4.

All members of the Budgerigar Society will have received their schedules already with the July/August issue of The Budgerigar.

However, schedules may also be obtained from:

B.S. Office
Spring Gardens
Northampton
NN1 1DR

Schedules may also be obtained by calling the B.S. Office (Tel: +44 (0)1604 624549) or by download from the Society’s website – www.budgerigarsociety.com

Entries

Closing date for entries is 20th September and these need to be sent to:

Ronnie Simpson
22 Homefield Avenue
Morley, Leeds
Yorkshire
LS27 0DX

For other help contact the Assistant Show Managers:

Pete Smith (Tel: +44 (0)1977 780102)
Richard Miller (Tel: +44 (0)7740 782816)

Getting There & Accommodation

For our overseas fanciers getting to Doncaster is easy – those traveling by air can fly to the local airport of Robin Hood only 10km away, or Manchester or London.

From Manchester there are train services to Doncaster.

From London the trains leave from Kings Cross station to Doncaster.

Crossing by sea can be made to the ports of Hull, Norwich or Dover with easy motorway network to Doncaster using the M1, M18 or the A1(M) motorways.

There are a large number of accommodation facilities available in Doncaster ranging from Bed & Breakfast, Guest Houses or Hotels and a full list can be obtained from the Doncaster Tourist Information Centre (website: www.visitdoncaster.com

Come to this wonderful show to join in the activities throughout the weekend, meet your fellow fanciers and just enjoy the amazing atmosphere among like-minded people!

Apart from the unexplained and instinctive attraction we feel for their brilliant colours and delightfully biddable ways, there are probably as many different contributory factors that motivate the hobbyist as there are hobbyists.

For some, getting the knowledge is almost the next logical step after learning first to walk, then to talk.

Others take their greatest satisfaction from the sense of community they get from local groups, almost like the camaraderie shared on the terraces by lads in matching scarves.

Observing the outcomes of selective breeding is what might motivate others, while seeing the hardware stack up after the wins at major shows may be the driving force in some cases.

An Accidental Fancier

For me, what became a lifelong fascination and source of great pleasure began almost accidentally.

More than fifty years ago as an animal-lover with what was left of his first meagre pay-package burning another hole in his holey trousers pocket, I was desperate to own a pet.

There would have been no question of being allowed to keep anything that took up house room, and it was love at first sight when I came upon the pair of red eared waxbills in a local pet shop.

But despite what the songs say, love is not always enough. Ignorant and unable to find any resource that would inform me on their needs, I learned the hard way that some things are not hardy enough to withstand the Cumbrian climate and a well-intentioned amateur touch.

After a decent period, I decided to do things a little differently and my next venture began from a different starting place.

New Found Knowledge

The local library, a conveniently free source of knowledge, had a tiny section that included information on budgerigars, and I read every word.

If I had learned my subjects as keenly at school I could have been the Chief Executive of a blue chip company by the time I was twenty one!

As it was, I was supplementing my income by doing a paper round for the local newsagent, upon whose shelves I came upon a publication called “Cage Birds”, which became my mentor’s voice.

Equipped with my new knowledge and a cobbled-together shed, my life as a breeder and exhibitor of budgerigars began. And the learning process is a life’s work. Like many, I had neither benefit of an experienced mentor nor virtually unlimited resources to encourage and enable me to breed world class birds.

Having started from that place, I have a particular passion to develop support networks that will enable this season’s pet owner to become next year’s top-class breeder.

Identifying Good Information

Information has never been more widely available and the Internet is an extremely important source.

It does not need to be said, however, that identifying reliable, informed advice and opinion is a skill by itself.

There is good stuff out there, based on learning, experience and quantifiable evidence and there is less trustworthy stuff that ranges from the purely anecdotal to the downright bad.

Of course, we have to guard against reading opinion as fact, for those two things can be very different.

Potentially, the various on-line forums are capable of being a valuable source of information and support, because they enable us to “meet” and share information with breeders from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.

One example is “Budgerigars.co.uk” – with a history that dates back to April 1999, this well-established site is the source of a vast amount of information and its interactive forum, established in July 2006, currently gets over 60,000 visitors per month from over 100 different countries. The budgerigar breeder community is now truly global.

Changing Times

We have seen massive changes in the hobby as it evolved and adapted to enable survival in the 21st century.

Yet despite the eugenics and bird-room technologies, and the high-end competitiveness that has attracted interest from businessmen and entrepreneurs (who would seek to make a profit or even a livelihood out of the hobby), budgerigars are still budgerigars – and for most breeders the interest, the joys, the rewards are the birds themselves.

Some things have never changed. The fact that we all start somewhere is self-evident but for a young person with his pocket-money budgies, the world of the top breeders and the world-class show can look a pretty daunting place.

It is also self-evident that without new blood the hobby will eventually die out and that, in my opinion, would be very sad.

Keeping the Hobby Alive

How do we attract new people into the hobby? How do we support their start up? How do we encourage beginners to stick at it and enjoy what they do? How do we encourage and enable them to move, if that is their ambition, from pet-owner to champion breeder?

Promoting the hobby is not something that necessarily requires a degree in marketing techniques.

Promotion begins with word-of-mouth communication – come on, you must remember it? Old fashioned talking about it!

Either as an individual to your mates and neighbours, or in association with your local club, you can help spread the word, generate interest and share your enthusiasm by taking presentations to community forums who are always looking for guest speakers; examples might include schools and colleges, elderly care residences, women’s, church or hobby groups. (Don’t be offended if they ask you to provide your personal details as we all have a duty to protect the vulnerable in our society.)

Talk to the local press. Let them know when your meetings are and invite them to your shows. They may ask for features to provide a background, which provide extra publicity.

Have an open day. Run a free course at the local college – it could be just a one-off couple of hours, or something that can be developed to run over a few weeks.

See if you can have a stand at any local events and arrange to staff it with your most approachable members.

Arrange visits to clubs outside your area and invite them back to yours.

Most importantly, make sure that any new faces are made to feel properly welcome.

There are lots of ways of spreading the word. Ask your club colleagues for their ideas. Of course, if you do happen to have a degree in marketing, it couldn’t hurt!

Breeders Benefit

There is an important spin-off here for existing breeders, by the way, and that has to do with how we generate and maintain a market for our surplus birds, which may not be good enough to exhibit but may be the accessible, affordable starting point for new owners.

Similarly, you can forge links with local pet shops and veterinary surgeries that may hold a list of local breeders, both of which can point potential buyers in your direction.

Supplying birds and equipment to new starters either at low or no cost is a win / win situation, as you increase the size of your network and the beginner does not have to invest his life savings in something that he may find is not for him after all.

Mentoring

At the General Council Budgerigar Society meeting in February 2011, the Budgerigar Society approved a proposal I had submitted for an idea that would establish a list of those members who would be interested in becoming mentors to support beginners.

The list would be made available through the Budgerigar Society web site.

Mentoring can include aspects of guidance, help, advice and teaching, dependent upon the resources of the mentor and the needs of the mentee. It might be one-to-one in person or based on friendly chats over the phone or internet.

For the beginner the mentoring system is a genuine opportunity to feel supported and a part of something.

For the mentor there is the chance to share your knowledge and experience and to know that you are genuinely helping.

Any BS member who is interested can contact the society secretary including your details.

As a member, you can encourage all Area Societies to adopt the mentoring scheme by following the example set by The Northern Budgerigar Society, who brought the proposal to its members and agreed to take it up through the democratic voting system at their meeting.

If the idea were taken up by the World Budgerigar Organisation, people elsewhere in the world could access accurate information that had not become distorted through translation.

Spread the Word

If you care about the future of the hobby, you have a part to play in securing it; as an individual, at local club level and through the Budgerigar Society.

Share your ideas instead of jealously guarding your acquired wisdom.

If you are one of the lucky ones who is time and resource-rich, think back to your first days and have some compassion for the tentative first steps of the new starter, as one disparaging remark can cause his/her interest to be stillborn.

Spread the word – on the street, on the forums and on the social networks.

Below are a few of Barrie’s birds – click on an image to enlarge it.

Q1: Will we ever see you on the show bench again?

GSB:

I thought this might come up!

My reluctance to show goes back to the 1980′s, when at the Budgerigar Show I was twice in line for Best in Show, being in the last two selections and in each case with a far superior bird to the eventual winner.

Sour grapes? Certainly not – I believe it was political. At the time, I was “Mr Budgerigar World” and in the first case I was at home on the Saturday when I had a call from a lady – who I don’t know to this day.

She said:

Mr Binks, I was going to join the hobby but I never will after what I have just heard and seen.

When the last two birds were selected – adult and breeder – an official came to one of the judges and called him over.

He said to him “Do you realise who owns the blue cock?”

“Yes”, was the reply, “it belongs to Arthur Bracy.”

“No, it doesn’t, it belongs to Binks.”

“OK”, was the judge’s answer – “leave it to me.”

And that was me – dead!

The next occasion was in 1997, when I had, arguably, the best Grey Green in the UK. Again the result mirrored the first example and I was put down against an opaline cinnamon cock with the awful “keyhole effect”, which the judges of the day should still be ashamed of.

Witnesses? I have dozens, but again I was rocking the establishment with fresh ideas and actions that were unacceptable by just six persons – no more than that.

Today they are nowhere to be seen!

That is why I became totally dispirited about showing again – as jealousy was put in front of judging integrity.

Finally that Grey Green went on to win Best in Show, weeks later, at The Budgerigar World Show at Blackpool where 4,500 birds were on display.

However, I have recently bought ten new show cages!

Q2: The very first Budgerigar World Show at Sandown Park that you ran, really raised the bar on how major shows should be run. In your opinion, do you think that the major shows of today can be improved upon – not only for the exhibitors benefit, but also to promote the budgerigar fancy as a whole?

GSB:

That is a rhetorical question!

The first two Budgerigar World Championships arose out of looking at the Granby Hall in Leicester and The Queen’s Hall in Leeds, the later being a “converted” tram shed with the roof leaking all over the place.

I was then appalled when the whole of the Champion Adult staging collapsed.

It was a milestone and I knew I could do better.

Within 6 months, with great credit to my then printing partner John Blance, his wife and a great hand-picked team of helpers, we put on the first show in the concourse at Sandown Park racecourse. An enormous length and a pristine setting.

New staging was bought (now the BS staging, still with BW logos on it !), a hawk display in the paddock, and very large garden setting surrounded with international flags, where we sold Budgerigar World magazines, and in the garden, a pond with four flamingos which startled everyone who entered.

The judges I picked personally, as it is my view that the finest experienced judges of the day, from anywhere in the world, should only be the ones considered. This is because breeders spend all year trying to win such an event.

Selecting judges “from a list” is an insult at national level, in my opinion. Clean up that policy internationally and you make progress and credibility.

Q3: New fanciers coming into the hobby are in the older age group so someone joining at sixty years of age will be seventy years of age before they can go on to the Budgerigar Society judges panel. Do you think there should be a fast track to get people on the panel? Or do you think the judge’s training scheme has had its day?

GSB:

Oh dear – what a question!

Such a suggestion can only make matters worse. I introduced the Judges Training Scheme in the London & Southern Counties Budgerigar Society years ago.

We had oral and written questions and six judges who presided over each prospective candidate making notes throughout as the candidates went round all six classes.

All those reports were spread out in front of the nominated Council of Judges where they were studied in great detail and it was the aim to get the candidates through where possible.

Most passed, but some were asked to re-take next year. Those who were obviously incapable – and there were quite a few – we failed.

The problem later was that they then went to the Budgerigar Society scheme and passed!

I still am of the opinion that all prospective judges should attend their Area Society Judges Scheme (or nearest) based on the same format, and then go to the Budgerigar Society morning for final assessment.

I cannot see the sense of having candidates going all over the country being “trained” by judges – but then Binks has different ways of management!

If you think about it, there are two major faults in the hobby. One is that the entry fees at shows are so low as to be laughable – because they don’t relate to the cost of halls or the club’s ability to do the very best for their members. Also, membership fees are so ludicrously low – so organisers are limited in what they can put on in the way of a serious display.

Secondly, there is no effort to publicise to the general public that the show either exists, or is in the local papers or is publicised outside the hall and around the town. That applies at the top level as well. Publicity is marketing – or vice versa. No outside publicity exists in the hobby in UK. That, combined with lack of finance, because of the above reasons, is the major problem – which continues to be ignored.

Q4: What do you think of the forum and the use of the World Wide Web to promote our hobby?

GSB:

I have to apologise, but with my time being so occupied with all that I have to do with my own website – www.budgerigar.co.uk, which has gone ballistic – I have not had enough viewings on the forum to pass a full comment.

However, I have heard that one fancier, who has an advert with the Forum, is being overwhelmed for stock.

Such is the power of promotion and advertising, as discussed above, that both your Forum Site and mine possess.

All internet promotions are the modern way of advertising – but we should all get to the general public, not just preach to the converted.

I now believe that printed magazines in our hobby have had their day – times have changed.

I gave my final lecture lasting two hours at the Budgerigar Society Convention in Woking in May 2011 – so ably organised by Roger Carr and Fred Wright, among others. Before I started I asked about 100 seated fanciers if they were on the internet – and at least 80% put up their hands.

Due to popular demand, Reinhard has arranged for the DVD to be distributed in the UK through fellow breeders, Tom & Andrew Luke.

To obtain your copy (UK only), please contact Tom and/or Andrew at the following e-mail address:

For those outside the UK, please contact Mr Eelco Meyjes (South Africa) at the following e-mail address:

The following is a tribute by GSB.

I recall seeing, many years ago,a good film called “The Quiet Man”, starring John Wayne in the lead, but in addition to portraying a quiet man, inside him was a man of action. Don was such a man. He started life from humble beginnings, yet by sheer hard work and dedication to all things I describe as quality, and with Gloria by his side, he rose to become one of Sheffield’s most successful businessmen. Also, anyone today walking through the gates at Troway Hall, will marvel at the 16th Century house, aviaries, and the views from the terraces – perhaps with a touch of envy? Believe me, Troway Hall represents a life of dedicated work seven days a week, year on year, by a great team.

The Beginning

Don’s father was a baker of some repute. His mother was a seamstress and tailoress. She applied her skills to producing haut-couture dresses and suits for the well off ladies of Sheffield and the surroundings. The “quality factor“ in her, rubbed off on her son Donald. While at home, after the war in 1948, a relative started Don off with chickens, but a neighbour objected and he was forced to give them away to a friend. Sometimes, such an selfish neighbour attitude can result in despondency, but not Don. A friend showed him an aviary with budgerigars in it that had survived the war period. Don was landed like a fish and hooked on the hobby for the rest of his life.

Don began his new found interest in his father’s very small shed with three cages inside and a few birds. That small beginning was to later in life lead to him becoming one of the great fanciers known world wide for breeding superb quality exhibition birds that won all over England. Indeed the name Havenhand became known everywhere, just as Gloria is now known for her expertise and authority on bees and their care.

Don was the owner of Namsbury Engineering Company in Penistone Rd, Sheffield which produces all manner of heavy engineering parts and products associated with the mining industry around the world. This site was the second site of his business and was a big rise in floor space to 40,000 sq ft. It was also a massive financial risk and an increase in staff coupled with a very restless bank manager who kept appearing, unannounced, at the factory watching every move that Don made. Then big trouble. A lowering of orders due to the recession as well as having out dated engineering machines and staff to pay, caused great worry to both Don and Gloria. Both entered into long discussions into the nights, but Gloria realised that a wife has little power with her husband when many of her ideas fell on waste ground, so she persuaded Don to bring in a business consultancy which was a classic move. Don, also by this time had become totally fed up being tipped off by his secretary that she had just seen the bank manager arriving – yet again. This resulted in Don dashing, each time, out of the back door into his car parked secretly round the corner.

So in came the consultants. Their fresh eyes were seeing what Don did not want to see — namely the truth. The company, at this time, was involved in a fabrication process, but it was a dated process making small engineering parts for mining equipment. The consultants said immediately, that you have to outsource this part of the factory elsewhere. Don was horrified. “I can`t do that — I have 16 men doing that work”. The reply was short. “You did – but not now anymore or you will go under”. So Don agreed, but hated the thought of putting men out of work and the gentle side of his nature surfaced. So he asked Gloria to help, which she hated doing as well, but it had to be done and she never forgot it. Naturally she thought about what the staff would think of her. Making staff redundant is a terrible business, but unless it had been done in this case the complete business and remaining staff would have foundered.

Advice taken – in came computerised machinery and the tide turned and slowly the business went from close to failure to making money and bigger orders flooded in and have done ever since. Today led by the managing director, Mark Zuidmulder, the staff are, in Gloria`s eyes, wonderful engineers and totally trustworthy. They are a credit to the company and the mining industry.

First Meeting

You will now be wondering how Gloria and Don actually met one another. It was a bizarre encounter. Gloria was working as a scientist at Nottinham University, specialising in genetics and specifically in colour genetics. On test, were all sorts of animal samples, leathers and skins, but then she needed coloured feathers. Parrots came to mind, but no parrots around. Then a colleague announced, “Problem solved. There is a chap called Don Havenhand who keeps budgerigars nearby.” “Budgerigar keeping?”, thought Gloria, “must be a weird sort of person.” She went along complete with sample bottles. She introduced herself and said to Mr Havenhand, ”Can I have feathers from different coloured budgerigars, but I need all sorts of feathers from the tails, flights, breast and backs please from each bird?” “No you can`t”, said Havenhand. “You can only have five feathers all told”. Gloria said, “Oh, come off it you can do better than that.” At this point Mr Havenhand said to her, “What an unbelievably persistant woman you are.“ This was hardly a good start to an eventual relationship especially as Gloria immediately walked out. Nevertheless, the bird fancier in Don began to fancy another bird of a the human kind and he contacted her and she got her feathers — unruffled this time.

They met again and Don, who was a car enthusiast, showed her a classic Rolls Royce he owned. Her immediate reaction was to say “Don`t think you are going to impress me with that Mr Havenhand”. Somehow, however, he stood his ground and a mutual respect began to develop since she had not told him that she also had a love of classic cars. She was also in the process of changing from science to business, so a mutual interest was forming. Her businesses took off fast. She was earning a great deal herself and spare money was going also into classic cars. However, the problem with such cars was that when they were displayed for sale the tyres and batteries would go flat and restoring that problem was a daily chore. So she sold out because Don (he was Don by this time) thought Gloria was “off her trolley” dealing in such cars in numbers.

Honeymoon

In 1983, Gloria and Don were married – a turning point in their lives. Where to go for their honeymoon? Don decided immediately. “We are going down to Sandown racecourse!”, he announced. Gloria was shocked, as she had ideas of a luxury hotel abroad with great views –so what was at Sandown Park apart from Horses? The answer was that there was a massive budgerigar show run by a certain Gerald Binks who was anxious to show the hobby how a show should really be put on. “We are going there”, said Don emphatically. And they did! So a honeymoon at a budgie show broke new ground in a girl`s idea of a wondrous honeymoon holiday on some enchanted island in the sun.

Budgerigars

To those of you who are not fanciers and reading this love story and budgies, you will be wondering what it is all about. Perhaps it`s a hobby for the insane you may think? You could be right, I am also involved and have been for 65 years from the age of 12. There are other budgerigar fanciers who are just as badly affected and we are all candidates for the nearest asylum! Seriously though, it is a hobby that can bite you as it is all about trying to breed quality at every stage to win at any level of exhibition, as there are small ones and until recent times massive ones with 6000 birds on display. At the Budgerigar World Show at Sandown Park in 1983 we had 4500 entries and the top award for Best in Show went to a fancier, Barry Wild from Blackpool, who scooped £1100 in the process. Today, exhibition birds are bred in over 70 countries with the UK and Europe having the finest studs in existence.

Troway

I now turn to Troway Hall. It took Don and Gloria 5 years of searching to find what they were looking for. They wanted a home that felt like a coat. Warm and welcoming with great views, but it was in a terrible state back then. A muddy drive, gardens ruined, grass up to the waist, but the views were astounding. The house nevertheless was 16th Century and panelled in many rooms and it was a case of love at first sight, so they bought it at a hefty price. Years of hard work followed as the acreage is massive, but today it is a superb site in which to live. All that said – all Don wanted was a big aviary up as soon as possible! As time went on Don would reflect on his biggest win in his life in budgerigars. That was in 1980 at The National Show of The Budgerigar Society held at that time in Leeds. On the morning of that event my close friend Jim Moffat said to my son, Craig and I , “Where can we go while the judging is on Gerald?” I thought for a moment and the nearest was Don Havenhand`s place. Off we went and enjoyed a few hours in his company. Then all of us went in the afternoon to the show. Don and his partner, Bill Ruthven, won Best in Show — every fanciers dream. Jim Moffat was Best Opposite Sex Adult and Binks was Best Young Bird in Show. Among us, we had taken three of the top four awards while in Don`s aviary 20 miles away. A feat that will not ever be repeated. Well done Don. I was as delighted as anyone for you out of 5000 birds on display. A great win.

Holidays

Gloria and Don took few holidays but highest among them were visits to America and Scotland. They loved Troway so much, holidays were not too important. However, on a trip to Cape Canaveral in Florida, just by luck they saw the return of the Space Shuttle coming in to land. A thrilling sight that neither of them ever forgot. Don was as excited as a schoolboy at that moment. Of course Don would go on what we term “Budgerigar Safaris” to Europe with Gloria, or friends, to visit top aviaries. With Gloria, he would also combine it with visits to former 2nd World War sites, in particular Coldlitz Castle which fascinated him. It is of course the place where all former escapees that had been caught, were incarcerated.

“What If…” Phase

Don recently needed an operation on his knee as he could not walk at all and was in great pain. The operation planned, Don talked to Gloria at great length. He said to her, ”We have to accept that at some point we have to leave Troway and I never want to leave here at all.” Did he know something or did he have a premonition of a problem to come? We shall never know. The operation went perfectly and he came home quickly and was walking 50 yards each day. Suddenly on that Saturday,14th May, Don collapsed after a long standing oesophageal ulcer perforated. The statement by Don that he never wanted to leave Troway is the reason that he is buried there, still looking at the view both of them saw all those years ago.

Don was a man with drive and passion for whatever he did and has left the world a better place for his presence here. “It is a privilege to be born“, is a phrase we should all remember and treat this lovely world we live in so carefully. Life is precious, but not easy. It is a roller coaster with highs and lows – happy times and sad times. Don`s family meant everything to him and he tried always to help them in their difficulties when they occurred.

Don Havenhand was an English gentleman and a dedicated budgerigar fancier and an excellent judge, who all fanciers will greatly miss. We all delighted to be in his company. Well done Don. You were a great example to us all.

The Budgerigar Society held its AGM on 7th May with a difference. As part of a forward drive to meet the membership, the Budgerigar Society held the first of its two spring events at Woking, Surrey, in conjunction with a show, lectures and a Sales Day over two days duration. The AGM attracted a good attendance of 75 members from all the ten area societies which was the highest for many years. As last year there were no rule changes to consider so it was a straight forward meeting with the usual formalities of an AGM.

The outgoing President, Dave Herring, opened the meeting by welcoming all those who attended and thanked them for giving him the honour of being President of this great Society during the past 12 months which passed so quickly. He commented that he received many blessings during the year starting with his inauguration 12 months ago when many past presidents attended including his recent departed brother John. He reflected on his memorable term in office witnessing many ‘grass roots’ events which have hinted at signs of sturdy growth and how impressed he had been by the fervour of many newcomers to our wonderful fancy. The Budgerigar Society continues to stage remarkable events as the five yearly Conventions, the yearly Club Show and now- as a glorious finale to his year of office – this wonderful weekend at Woking.

The Chairman asked the meeting to observe a minute’s silence in memory of members who had passed away during the year and made special reference to John Herring and Derrick Bowley, both past presidents of the Society and to Alf Shaw past member of the General Council.

The Minutes of the 2010 AGM held on 9th May, had been published in the July/August issue of The Budgerigar. These were accepted by those who attended the last AGM, with no matters arising.

Chairman’s Report

The Society’s Chairman, George Booth, had tabled an extensive report covering all the Society’s activities and decisions since the last AGM and members had the opportunity to read the report and ask questions; but no questions were raised.

The report highlighted the three main sources of income (subscriptions, ring sales and sponsorship) and expenditure (office, publications and general expenses).

The membership by the end of 2010 was 2777 which sadly reflected a drop of 44 from the 2009 figure; but 279 new members were recruited with 41 re-joining the Society. Although the fall in membership is slightly lower than previous years it is still a matter of concern for everyone connected with the Society. The Chairman informed members that the General Council is aware of the other attractions that more often than not demand far less commitment than keeping live stock which requires 24/7 commitment but we must find ways of making this wonderful hobby of ours even more attractive by ensuring that we have a friendly society putting away our personal differences that so often hinder the Society’s progress and we need to promote the fancy and not continually criticise it.

The Chairman also highlighted the success of last year’s Convention at Southport as well as the Club Show at Doncaster which were both superb weekends and a great credit to the Society and the many members who organised both events. The Chairman also informed members that the General Council has already decided on another Convention in 2015 to celebrate the Society’s 90th Anniversary.

The Chairman concluded his report by thanking the various officers of the Society and the General Council for working hard for the Society during the past 12 months.

New President

Dave Herring handed over the very impressive Presidential Chain of Office to the new President Dave Hislop, a great worker for the fancy acting as show manager of the Club Show for so many years. Dave then presented Dave Herring with the past President’s chain.

Dave stated that he was honoured and privileged to be the President and thanked members for their good wishes during the life changing time that he and his wife are experiencing at the moment.

Vice President

Roy Aplin from Dorset was nominated by the General Council and, as there were no other nominations from the meeting, Roy was elected as the new Vice President and by the process of progression he will be the Society’s President in 2013. The new President presented the Vice President’s chain to Roy Aplin and also the President Elect’s chain to Maurice Roberts.

Silver Bird

The General Council in their meeting in April awarded the Silver Bird to Janice Al-Nasser for her meritorious services to the Budgerigar Society and the fancy in general.

Life Membership

In accordance with Rule 4(d), the following were confirmed as Life Members of the Society in recognition of 40 years unbroken membership:

• Mrs J M Agar
• Tom Agar
• Mrs Peggy Andrews
• Dennis Brown
• Tony Hayes
• John Maddy
• Ron Menday
• Robert Millan
• Dave Newell
• Jim Tulley
• H P Webb

Under Society General Rule 4(e.i.) the General Council put forward two nominations, Geoff Capes and Pete Hutchinson, for Honorary Life Membership which the members approved unanimously.

Rates of Subscription & Joining Fee

It was announced that the General Council recommended that the rates of subscription be increased by 50p for 2012 to £25.00 for the single subscription, with the remaining subscriptions to be increased in line with General Rule 7. The joining fee to remain at £5. The proposal, when put to the vote, was carried by a majority. Auditors – these to be W. Osborne & Co.

2012 AGM

The Chairman informed the meeting that this AGM had been the first to be held away from the Budgerigar Society Office in Northampton for many years and the first to be held in conjunction with another event. It is hoped that this Woking Event will be followed by another event next year in the Northern part of the country, the date and venue of next year’s AGM will be published as soon as it is confirmed.

Among the topics discussed were:

• Judges Training Scheme – Ghalib Al-Nasser
• Guidelines for Major Faults – Janice Al-Nasser
• Guidelines for Specific Varieties – George Booth
• Rare Varieties – Gren Norris
• Clearwings, Greywings & Dilutes – Maurice Roberts
• Q & A – George Booth

For further details, please click on the report image above / right.

The event is to be staged at the Leisure Centre, Woking, Surrey on the weekend of 6th, 7th & 8th May with the Society’s AGM to be held on the 7th May.

Overseas visitors are most welcome to attend.

Situated just over 20 miles (32 km) from London, Woking is located in the west of Surrey, England. The town is approximately a 20 minute drive from London’s Heathrow airport and 40 minutes from London Gatwick. Woking is also just 25 minutes by train from London Waterloo.

For full details, please click on the image above.