News

Tuesday, 12 February 2008

Thirty Five Years Young!

Our picture shows Tom Morton (left) receiving a long service badge from one of the newer committee members, Roger Hayes. Tom was a founder member of the Group when it was established in November 1972 and has served the Group in several capacities since that date. He currently leads bird watching walks on the second Wednesday every month and his enthusiasm has infected so many members that these walks have become the Group's best attended outdoor events.

Seven other members of the Group were also presented with awards for various tasks, including organising the programme and leading the weekend wildlife walks which are also held monthly. An award was given for the publication of the Group's quarterly newsletter and the establishment of the web site both of which give full details of the Group's activities.

The Group membership had grown steadily over the last few years and this may be due to the growth in interest in wildlife issues engendered by such TV programmes as "Springwatch" and "Autumnwatch". New members have commented that having been wildlife "couch-potatoes" they now want to get out and see the real thing! One of the Group's strengths is that there is always someone at hand to help beginners to see and identify birds.