OUR SOCIETIES & SHOWS
The Budgerigar Society. The society to which we owe our primary allegiance, being the parent body which has developed the budgerigar fancy to the state of excellence that it has reached today. Where would we be without it ? John and I have been associated with the administrative side of the fancy, between us, for a great number of years, John having served as N.B.S delegate to the BS for around twenty five years, while I (Dave) have been an occasional "stand-in" delegate and have served two previous terms as a directly elected member to the General Council.
John took office as President of the Budgerigar Society from May 2004, ending his term of office in May 2005; he is now taking something of a rest from administrative duties generally. I was appointed Publicity Officer at the beginning of 2004, having previously served as its Minutes Taker during my first spell as a General Council member. It was then, arising from a General Council discussion, that I also devised the table of Week-ending dates, for the use of all societies, and the B.S. continues to update and issue this chart; it is therefore unfortunate that the World Budgerigar Organisation has now 'borrowed' this idea (I did not copyright it) after 'pumping me' about the methodology used in calculating the relevant dates--- and without first seeking approval to do so. I did not realise what they were doing, (naive as ever!) Not a very nice gesture by such a noble organisation!
However, we have now had the pleasure of producing the Powerpoint presentation "Budgerigars for Beginners" which we hope will be a useful aid to all societies in attracting new members to the fancy. We only ask that societies and organisations, do not change the content of this without permission - though we welcome all suggestions as to its improvement and development. Societies may, however, wish to add details of the fancy in their area at the very end of the presentation, after the final "Conclusion" page. This will be quite in order and a very acceptable idea in spreading the word.
Naturally, we do not agree with all decisions taken by the Budgerigar Society - it would be very surprising if we did, but we do wholeheartedly commend the members of the General Council and the society's staff, as being worthy of everyone's support.
The Northern Budgerigar Society is the society with which perhaps we are are mostly associated, although we did not become members until 1962, having initially joined the Sunderland Budgerigar Society, followed quickly by The Budgerigar Society.
The NBS has a proud history of service to the fancy and has always strived to serve all its members and affiliated societies. Over a very long association with the NBS we have been privileged to know a large number of local fanciers; this great number represented some very varying views, and in the past this led to disputes, but all were ultimately resolved as the society grew in its collective wisdom.
John has been a member of the council of the NBS for most of those intervening years, and has held office as Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, President (3 times) and anything else that needed doing. Like many societies at present we are blessed with a large number of enthusiastic supporters, but very few members who are prepared to let that enthusiasm spill over to the extent of taking on the responsibility of an Official position in the society. In most cases, they say they are incapable of such work, but if I (Dave) can do it, anyone can !!
John has recently retired as Chairman, was President in 2004, but is now largely looking forward to spending more time looking after our own stud.
Click HERE to visit the separate page covering Northern B.S. events
Sunderland Budgerigar Society - Our "home" society which we joined, coincidentally with Jack Robertson (pictured right), in October 1958. We have seen the society pass through various stages of development and throughout the period of our membership, John has held one official position or another.
Like all societies, we have had our ups and downs, but in recent years we have not been anything near our greatest low, in 1963, or thereabouts when for about six months there were only two or three of us attending meetings. We have been experiencing something of a lull over the last year or two but things are now improving. Currently, John is the Chairman of the society (again) while I have "come out of retirement" to take the positions of Minutes and Publicity Secretary. The job is quite fulfilling, but I hope to pass it on shortly. Any takers ?
Visit the society's website www.sunderlandbudgerigarsociety.co.uk, (also on Links page)
South Shields Budgerigar Society We joined this society in the very early 60's as the ties between Sunderland BS and South Shields BS became increasingly strengthened and personal friendships grew. Over the years, our two societies have supported each other during slumps in membership, and it was only natural that in time we would follow something of a growing trend and amalgamate to hold a joint open show.
Thus it was that following the final individual South Shields Open show in 1964 ( at which John and I achieved two "first", that is ,our first section win and the first show to appoint us Show managers - our favourite job ) the two societies formed a committee, alongside the currently defunct Hetton le Hole BS, to stage the first ........
North East National Budgerigar Show :-
........... in 1965, and we are still going strong. Like all shows, we have had our "ups and downs" and as we now prepare to, hopefully, leave behind us the worst effects of the Reovirus outbreaks, we hope that this will see the beginning of a new era for the fancy.
There is no doubt, however, that this will only be achieved if enough people are able to raise and engender enthusiasm for the hobby, and we hope that this website will help in this respect.
2006 plans are now under way. Click here to visit our separate pages about the North East National Show and the report of our 2005 event.
