News archive
June 2009
Saturday, 6 June 2009
40th Birthday Celebrated in the Sunshine!
With so many activities planned for the day I thought we would be lucky to get away without something going badly wrong, but everything swung into action and it all seemed to go fantastically well. At least, no one has told me to the contrary! I think it was a great achievement, largely brought about by the contributions of so many willing volunteers, manning the stalls, providing items for the tombola and bric-a-brac, donating plants, books and home produce, supervising the pond-dipping, guiding the walks, and serving wine and birthday cake in the members' tent.
Talking of cake, there were many compliments about the Anniversary cake which was donated by Janet Allison, but I'm sorry if some members only took a tiny piece not realising there were another two cakes in reserve under the counter!
I think one of the highlights of my day was meeting some of the children arriving back after their pond-dipping activity, really excited and saying it had been 'brilliant'. One of the aims of the day was to try to introduce people to nature activities, and if we have encouraged some children to take an interest in nature, possibly even to join the Wildlife Explorers Group of the RSPB, then it will have been very worthwhile. Some of the photos reproduced in this newsletter show the kids in action, enthusiastically encouraged by the pond-dipping leaders, Susan McGinty and Emma Reed from the RSPB, and members Laura Collins, Marie Ollerenshaw, Paula Charlton, Mary Lee and Phil Jordan.
We had a good uptake too for the guided bird-watching walks and the botanical walk, all of which were very favourably reported. Some of the leaders of these walks had to do a quick sprint from pond-dipping, car-parking or other duties, so many thanks to our members Harold Dobson, Paula Charlton, Mary and Richard Lee, Derek Younger, Phil Jordan, John Lambert, Kathleen Murray, Joyce Leeson, and Marie Ollerenshaw, as well as RSPB volunteers Martin Kerby and Steve Westerberg. Brian has mentioned in his 'Hello Members' that we have been asked to hold another (smaller!)event at the Rising Sun in October, and we had thought that we might repeat some of the guided walks which proved so popular.
Neither Brian nor I were able to get to the naturalists' talks, and we were very grateful to David Hirst (formerly RSPB now Natural England) who hosted the speakers and kept the timetable running smoothly. I spoke to some audience members as they emerged from the sessions, and they were most enthusiastic. Some members will have heard Steve Westerberg talking expertly about the Geltsdale Reserve at one of our indoor meetings, but we have not before had the pleasure of having Carl Watts (Natural England) giving practical advice on digital photography of wildlife. Judging by the comments received he would be an excellent choice for a future indoor meeting, and one I would not miss. Many of us have heard Keith Bowey speak before on the Northern Red Kites Project, and knew he would draw a good audience. He took the last speaker spot because he has a tendency to overrun - no one minded of course, as he enthuses about the wonderful red kites that have been introduced in this area. Although I couldn't get to his talk this time, I did take the opportunity to get Jules Burnett to sign copies of his award-winning book for children, 'Let's go Flying, Kites' for my two young nephews, and these have been very well received.
We were delighted of course that Graham Wynne was able to able to come to our celebratory event, and he was genuinely appreciative of all the effort that had gone into its planning and implementation. When it was eventually confirmed that he was able to come, the sub-group quickly had to make plans for giving him lunch, as having to queue in the cafe for a sandwich didn't seem quite appropriate. One or two members kindly offered to make lunch items, but then Marie Ollerenshaw offered to do the main part of a buffet lunch for 16 people and produced a truly wonderful French buffet which both looked and tasted so professional. (The French do know how to cook, don't they?) A representative selection of our members, both long-standing and newer, were invited to join Graham, other members of the RSPB, and the planning group to enjoy this lunch, which was every bit as good as it looked. Graham Wynne's face when he saw the spread was worth its own photograph!
That reminds me of some other delighted faces that were seen during the day. One of the photos shows the couple who won the hamper, kindly donated by Jean Fox, in the raffle. 'Can we really have this?' they said as they struggled off with their prize! The major prize in the raffle was the booking tent gazebo itself, obviously no good to anyone who lived in a flat, so we were delighted when Eileen Lambert held the winning ticket on behalf of her daughter. I understand the gazebo will be put to good use for her and her friends' barbeques! And I have to say I was delighted with my own raffle prize- a framed painting of a Chiffchaff kindly donated by Northumberland artist John Steele.
Finally I have to mention the smiling, delighted face of little seven-year old Katherine Sung who won first prize in the 4-7 age group of the Art Competition and also the overall winner's prize. The photograph shows her receiving one of her prizes from Graham Wynne, and believe me that smile on her face lasted all afternoon! Graham was very good at presenting the prizes, chatting to each prize-winner and making them feel at ease. Even the little girl who was too shy to be presented at the ceremony, was given her own private ceremony when she brought her family in to view the prize winning entries in the conference room!
I could go on to name more highlights of the day, and mention more names of those who contributed to the success of the day, but the Editor has forbidden any more words in case the newsletter goes in to Large Stamp category. So I would just like to end by echoing Brian's comments, and thanking everyone who worked so hard, both before and on the day, to make June 6th 2009 a day to remember for the Local Group.
Denise Morphet
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Our 40th Anniversary Celebrations
Members of the public as well as members of the RSPB are invited to our 40th anniversary celebratory event on Saturday, 6th June 2009 (11.00am - 3.00pm) at the Rising Sun Country Park, Whitley Road, Benton, North Tyneside, NE12 9SS.
The event will be attended by Graham Wynne CBE, the Chief Executive of the RSPB.
Founded in 1969, the Newcastle-on-Tyne RSPB Local Group is the oldest RSPB group in the Northern England region, and so we intend to celebrate in style!
Attractions on the day will include
• talks from representatives of RSPB Geltsdale Reserve and the Northern Red Kite Project
• a talk on digital photography
• a display of wildlife photographs from Tynemouth Photographic Society
• a demonstration of dry stone walling
• bird watching walks led by local volunteers
• a guided botanical walk
• pond dipping
• sales of RSPB goods
• home produce and plant sales
• a tombola and raffle
• activities for children
For the timing of these walks, talks etc. see the 'events' section of this website.
We are inviting all schools in North Tyneside, and hopefully Newcastle and beyond, to take part in an art competition, and some of this artwork will be on display.
It's a wonderful coincidence that the new RSPB International Reserve at Saltholme has opened to the public during the same year that our group is celebrating this significant milestone. The Saltholme Reserve will be well represented at our celebrations.
There will be several RSPB staff and members of the Local Group available on the day to assist you and answer any queries that you may have about the RSPB and its vital conservation work.
This will be a day for the whole family to enjoy! If you have any questions about the event or would like to find out more about the Newcastle-upon-Tyne RSPB Local Group please do not hesitate to contact Brian Moorhead, Group Leader, on 07903 387429.