The Budgerigar Society 2015 Convention

BS 90TH ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION, STOKE-ON-TRENT, 5th to 7th JUNE, 2015.

The BS Convention Committee would like to thank everyone involved in making this one of the best ever Conventions the Society has held. The weekend went like clockwork which was down to the Best Western Moat House staff, the help received from the local BS Clubs (North Staffs and South Cheshire) and the many other helpers involved.
The Gala Dinner was an undoubted success and the Raffle raised £450.35 with thanks due to the ladies who sold the tickets, those who donated prizes and the entertainers Mike Andrews (Robbie Williams) and the DJ for an excellent night enjoyed by all. Gerd Bleicher the Chairman of the World Budgerigar Organisation proposed the toast to the Society and our President Beverley Hutt responded. Peter Hutchinson was MC for the evening and although he took ill on the night he is thankfully fit again and we thank him for his help in organising an excellent Dinner.
The Coach Trip to the Pottery and Trentham Gardens was enjoyed by the partners not attending the lectures and thanks to Mrs Maureen Copeland, Mrs Janet Jukes and Miss Stephanie Jukes for ensuring all had a great time.
The lectures were extremely well received and our Speakers, Tom & Andrew Luke, Richard & Wayne Bowker, Eric Peake, Alan Marchant & Chris Huxley, Harry Hockaday, Daniel Lutolf, Janice Al-Nasser, Beverley Hutt, Laura Hutt , Pat Norris and Phil Reaney are all thanked for taking the time to prepare and deliver such brilliant educational and informative lectures from which those attending took away so much.
The Convention Show attracted a good entry for the time of year and all CC winners were admired for their quality. Our thanks to John Cosby, Alan & Gina Adams and their team for running such a successful event and our Judges Beverley Hutt, Bob Allen, Roy Aplin and Maurice Roberts. It was great to see birds being shown from many European countries as well. Thanks also to photographer Mick Freakley who captured the winning birds in his usual professional way.
The weekend Raffle raised £968.75 and thanks are due to Rod & Sue Clarke who manned the stand all weekend, also to those who donated the 3 birds, Chris Huxley & Alan Marchant, Richard & Michael Miller and Paul & Nikki Stannard together with Steve Jones of Country Wide Seed who provided the top prize in the General Raffle of vouchers for 10 bags of Seed and the others who donated raffles.
Thanks also to Maggie Findlay for helping Grant and Mat on the BS Stand all weekend and to our other Trade Stands who were present, Roy & Lucy Aplin and David Vandepeer of Aviary Hygiene.
The local Clubs gave all those staying the Friday & Saturday nights at the headquarters hotel a gift of a lovely glass that had been made locally which was a super touch.
This convention would not have been such a success without the attendance of members and on the Saturday over 300 were there including a Coach from the Northern BS, members from each Area Society and many fanciers from Overseas which all gave the weekend a tremendous atmosphere. We thank you all for your support of the Convention and the Budgerigar Society.

Incorporating the WBO World Championship Show

The show received a total entry of 352 from 46 exhibitors with 277 benched for Bev Hutt, Roy Aplin, Bob Allen & Maurice Roberts to judge. Apart from the British exhibitors there was 1 exhibitor from Belgium, 1 from Germany, 6 from Italy & 4 from Portugal.

Grey Green cock, Best in Show & Best Champion, John Rogers

Image by Mick Freakley ©

Image by Simon Devaney ©

Yellow Face Grey Hen, Best Opp Sex, John Rogers

Image by Mick Freakley ©

Spangle Grey cock, Best Intermediate, Dean Jukes

Image by Mick Freakley ©

Image by Simon Devaney ©

Grey cock, Best Novice, Adrian Lovack

Image by Mick Freakley ©

Image by Simon Devaney ©

Skyblue cock, Best Beginner, Jody & Darryl Faram

Image by Mick Freakley ©

Image by Simon Devaney ©

Grey cock, Best Junior, Callum Wood

Image by Mick Freakley ©

Image by Simon Devaney ©

Light Green cock, Best Colour Budgerigar, Corinne Castellano (Italy)

Image by Mick Freakley ©

Best of Colour Awards:

Light Green A. Lovack

Dark Green A & G Adams

Skyblue T & A Luke

Dark Blue T & A Luke

Grey Green J. Rogers

Grey A. Lovack

Opaline Green J & D Faram

Opaline Blue T & A Luke

Cinnamon Green R. Watts

Cinnamon Blue T & L Jukes

Opaline Cinnamon R. Warrender

Lutino R. Watts

Albino R. Watts

Yellow-wing M & D Walker

Whitewing B. Taylor

Crest A & G Adams

Spangle Green J. Grubb

Spangle Blue D. Jukes

D.F. Spangle A. Wood

Dominant Pied A & G Adams

Recessive Pied T & A Luke

Yellowface A & G Adams

Rare Variety S & R Clarke

Clearbody C. Ramôa (Portugal)

A.O.C. T & A Luke

Pair T & A Luke

Team J. Cosby

Colour Budgerigar Corinne Castellano (Italy)

News Update

The Convention headquarters hotel (Best Western, Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent) have kindly agreed to open the restaurant early on the Friday at a time of 6.00 pm. This will be ideal for anyone who wishes to dine between the afternoon session finishing and the evening session with Eric Peake starting. The evening meal will be a two course (dinner and desert) carvery at a cost of £14-50 per person. This is available to both hotel guests and day visitors. Please note that if you would like to book a meal you will need to get a voucher from reception ON ARRIVAL at 2pm on the Friday. The vouchers will give the hotel an idea of the numbers to cater for and members are encouraged to take advantage of the special service that our society is being shown by the hotel.

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CONVENTION COACH TRIP – The Convention Coach trip for those who do not wish to attend the Convention lectures is being organised for the Saturday (6th June). The Vintage Coach will leave the headquarters hotel (Best Western, Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent) at 09.30 and return at approx 16.30. The excursion has had to be changed from the advertised Wedgewood Museum (currently closed for refurbishment) and will now visit the Gladstone Pottery Museum where a professional tour will take place. Afterwards the trip will go to the Trentham Gardens Estate. The charge for the trip is £6 and, as spaces are extremely limited, will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact the BS Office on 01828 633030 to reserve your place.

We are pleased to announce details of the forthcoming raffle that will be held during the weekend.

10 bags of seed donated by our principle sponsor, Country Wide Seed. Other prizes include a bird from the renowned partnerships of Huxley & Marchant and Richard & Michael Miller, also a bird has been donated by Paul & Nikki Stannard.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Country Wide Seed, Alan & Chris, Paul & Nikki and Richard & Michael for their kind donations.

For the price of a ticket bought during the weekend of the convention you could be going home with a super prize! Final arrangements are now being made for what is sure to be a super weekend for everyone. We hope to see you there!

For anyone wishing to stock up on seed and other food items Country Wide Seed will have one of their lorries in attendance on the Friday and Saturday.

THE BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY 2015 CONVENTION

Stoke on Trent 5^th – 7^th June 2015

By Ghalib Al-Nasser

It is only a few weeks away from the time when many members and fanciers will gather in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, to attend the Convention celebrating The Budgerigar Society’s 90^th Anniversary which I am sure will prove to be as successful as the previous World Conventions organised by the Society in 1954, 1959, 1975 (all at Harrogate), 1985 (Birmingham), 1990, 1995 (both at Scarborough), the Millennium Convention (Eastbourne) and in 2006 & 2010 (Southport).

Hotel

The headquarters hotel for this event on 5^th to 7^th June 2015 is the Best Western Moat House Hotel which is situated in the Festival Park, Festival Way, Etruria, Stoke on Trent ST1 5BQ. Unfortunately there are no rooms left in the hotel for the Friday night but a few are still available for the Thursday, Saturday & Sunday nights. Room booking can now only be dealt directly with the hotel on 0870 2254 601 or contact nearby hotels.

As with previous Conventions, there will be a Gala dinner arranged on the Saturday night at a cost of £30.00 per person and this can now be booked direct with the Society Administrator, Grant Findlay, and paid in full. In recognition of the world famous musician Robbie Williams being born and bred in Stoke on Trent a “Robbie Williams tribute act” will form part of the night’s entertainment.

Stoke on Trent is easily accessible from either junction 15 or 16 of the M6 via the A500 and then the A53 to Festival Park. It is also within easy reach of Manchester, Nottingham East Midlands and Birmingham airports. Stoke on Trent also has its own railway station which is 2 miles away or Etruria station which is 1 mile from the hotel.

ALL FANCIERS WILL HAVE FREE ENTRY TO THE LECTURES AND SHOW

The Speakers

The 2015 B.S. President Beverley Hutt will carry out the opening ceremony of the Convention at 2.00 p.m. on Friday 5^th June followed by lectures running throughout the duration of the Convention. The Convention will close on Sunday afternoon.

Top breeders and well known fanciers have been invited to speak at this Convention and the full programme is listed below. As in previous Conventions, the International flavour is present in the form of top, world renowned breeder Daniel Lutolf from Switzerland, who is also a guest speaker.

Friday evening promises to be an event not to be missed where we shall have Stoke Fanciers Sales Tables where quality birds from the fanciers around the Stoke area will be available for sale. Each fancier from the Stoke area is limited to bringing 5 birds only and they will be priced. Viewing time will be between 5.00 – 6.00 p.m. with the sales office open between 6.30 – 7.30 p.m. Interested fanciers who wish to purchase birds can only pick 2 cages at a time to take to the Sales Office. This is a new venture for the Convention and provides a great opportunity to get that sought after outcross by those who attend. Eric Peake is providing the entertainment from 8.00 – 10.00 p.m. in the JW’s bar. The Budgerigar Society extends its grateful thanks to members of the North Staffs BS and South Cheshire BS for all their help and assistance in this venture.

To keep up with the “World” theme of the Convention, the Budgerigar Society has invited the World Budgerigar Organisation (WBO) to stage its annual meeting on the Friday; ensuring the attendance of delegates from countries around the World.

Programme (Timing subject to change)

Friday 5^th June

10.00 WBO Meeting (Executive Training Suite – first floor)

14.00 Opening Ceremony by the President Beverley Hutt

14.15 – 15.15 Tom & Andrew Luke – Introducing a new variety into an established stud

15.30 – 17.00 Richard, John & Wayne Bowker – Our time in Budgies so far

17.00 – 18.00 Stoke Fanciers Sales (viewing of birds) (Bentley Room – ground floor)

18.30 – 19.30 Sale of Birds

20.00 – 22.00 Eric Peake – Budgie Reminiscences – Years of Progress (1 hour) & Laughter with no Tears – My life in Birds (1 hour) (JW’S Bar – first floor)

Saturday 6^th June

09.30 – 16.30 Excursion to Gladstone Pottery Museum and then onto Trentham Gardens and attractions (for partners not attending the lectures)

10.00 – 11.15 Huxley & Marchant – Creating a Budgerigar Stud

11.30 – 13.00 Harry Hockaday – Budgie Basics

14.30 – 16.30 Daniel Lutolf – My Life with Budgerigars

19.30 – late Gala Dinner (Ballroom – ground floor)

Sunday 7^th June

10.00 – 11.15 Ladies Forum – Janice Al-Nasser, Bev Hutt, Laura Hutt, Pat Norris

11.30 – 13.00 Phil Reaney – Atom Bombs & Dynamite

14.00 Presentation of Awards & Closing Ceremony by the President Bev Hutt

All the lectures will be in the Earl of Granville Room – first floor)

A Convention Show

No Convention would be complete without a show and this Convention is no exception. The classification for the show and entry form was published in the March issue of The Budgerigar and is also available on the Society’s website or can be obtained from the show secretary John Cosby (01270 526306 or email budgie750@aol.com). The show classification is as per the standard classification but with five any age sections only and classes for pairs and teams of 4 or 6. A new addition is two classes for the Colour Budgerigars. The Budgerigar Society has granted the show area society adult patronage (1 CC per the 25 colour groups and pre-graded 7 points each). The show will be incorporating the WBO World Championship Show to allow overseas fanciers from WBO affiliated societies to exhibit at the show as well.

Birds will be accepted on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning between 09.00 – 1.00 p.m. with judging commencing at 2.00 p.m. The show will open for viewing at 5.00 p.m. and all day Sunday. As with previous Conventions there will be free entry per cage. Judges booked are Roy Aplin, Bev Hutt, Maurice Roberts and Bob Allen.

The specials allocated to the show are Pottery type awards for BIS, BOS and Best in each Section. The rosettes will be for the major awards, BOC and Best to 7^th Best in each section.

There will be presentations, in the potteries’ theme, to all speakers and judges.

Your Convention Committee

The Convention Committee consists of Society Chairman Maurice Roberts, Vice Chairman Ghalib Al-Nasser, Society Administrator Grant Findlay, John Cosby, Terry & Linda Jukes. The Show Team is led by John Cosby with Alan and Gina Adams assisting.

Convention Patrons

The following have sponsored the Convention to date:

Ghalib & Janice Al-Nasser Pottery Clocks for the five section winners

Roy Aplin Original Water Colour Painting

Brown & Hutt All the Show Rosettes

Country Wide Seed 10 bags of seed

Huxley & Marchant Quality Bird for the Raffle

Richard & Michael Miller Quality Bird for the Raffle

Terry & Linda Jukes Pottery awards for the Best in Show & Best Opposite Sex in Show

Tom & Andrew Luke Flowers for the Show Hall

Colin Potter Printing of the Programme

Spangled BBA Trophies for Best SF Spangle Green, Blue & DF Spangle

Paul & Nikki Stannard Quality Bird for the Raffle

David Vandepeer Aviary Hygiene Products to the five section winners

Rick & Barbara Watts Show Cage covers to the five section winners

If you would like to become a Convention Patron by sponsoring the Convention then please inform Grant Findlay or Ghalib Al-Nasser with your sponsorship item.

Other Activities

For those not wishing to attend the lectures, there will be a coach outing on Saturday to Gladstone Pottery Museum followed by a visit to Trentham Gardens and attractions with an approximate cost of £6. The coach will leave at 9.30 a.m. and return at 4.30 p.m. ready for the Gala dinner. There are only 42 seats available on the coach and these will be allocated to those who book first with the Society Administrator Grant Findlay (01828 633030) so please book early to avoid disappointment.

In keeping with the Stoke theme there will be gifts from the Stoke fanciers to those who booked into the HQ hotel for the Friday and Saturday nights. As in previous Conventions there will be a Convention badge available for sale at £3 each. Convention coasters will be given free to all exhibitors and will also be available at £1 each.

So come along and spend a long enjoyable weekend in Stoke on Trent, meeting friends, listening to lectures by well known fanciers, looking at super birds and celebrating the Budgerigar Society’s 90^th Anniversary.

Left to Right: Maurice Roberts, John Cosby, Ghalib Al-Nasser, TerryJukes, Grant Findley, Linda Jukes – The Convention Committee

Alan & Gina Adams with John Cosby – The Show Team

Ladies speakers at the Convention – Janice Al-Nasser, Bev & Laura Hutt and Pat Norris

Richard, John & Wayne Bowker – Guest speakers

Phil Reaney – Guest Speaker

Dnaiel lutolf – Guest Speaker

Chris Huxley (left) & Allan Marchant (right) – Guest Speakers

Harry Hockaday – Guest Speaker

Eric Peake – Guest Speaker

Tom & Andrew Luke – Guest Speakers

Show Entry form and Clasification

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Stoke on Trent 5^th – 7^th June 2015

By Ghalib Al-Nasser

The Budgerigar Society is organising another super World Convention in 2015 to celebrate their 90^th Anniversary. Looking back at the Society’s Conventions in 1954, 1959, 1975 (all atHarrogate), 1985 (Birmingham), 1990, 1995 (both atScarborough), the Millennium Convention (Eastbourne) and in 2006 & 2010 (Southport), the Budgerigar Society has become renowned for organising super World Conventions.

The Pottery Area

On this occasion the Budgerigar Society is going to Stoke on Trent, a city full of heritage, culture, vibrancy and passion and renowned for its ceramic pottery industry and is the current hot bed of the budgerigar fancy. To celebrate their 90^th Anniversary the BS has booked the Best Western Moat House Hotel for the weekend of 5^th to 7^th June 2015.

The hotel is situated in the Festival Park in Stoke onTrent incorporating Josiah Wedgewood’s former home. Stoke is within a short drive of either junction 15 or 16 of the M6 then to the A500 and onto the A53 to Festival Park. It is in easy reach of Manchester,Nottingham,East Midlands and Birmingham airports. Stoke can be accessed by rail to Stoke 0n Trent station which is 2 miles from the hotel or Etruria station which is 1 mile away from the hotel.

Special Convention Rates

The Budgerigar Society has negotiated special rates for those staying at this superb hotel. The rate for a single room with bed and breakfast is £60.00 per person per night. A two person (double or twin) occupancy with bed and breakfast is £70.00 per room per night. Deposit required is £25.00 per person with full payment by 31 March 2015. There is also a savings scheme if you wish to spread the cost over time. Please contact the Society Administrator Grant Findlay to organise this. A hotel booking form is included for early bookings.

As with previous Conventions there will be a Gala Dinner on Saturday evening at a cost of £30.00 per person (a deposit of £10.00 per person is required at the time of booking).