General Council 2021

To be part of the General Council comes commitment to work and take an active part in the development and progression of this great Society; my historical contribution gives indication of that commitment, as it’s not fancy words that get the work done.

I have always been a very active fancier at all levels, serving my area society in many capacities since 1984 (10 years retirement in between). At national level, I contribute tirelessly to the progress of the specialist societies. At local level I am in contact with the grass roots of the hobby, encouraging newcomers to make the right steps in their early days. On the show side I am show organiser/manager of many shows including the national Specialist & Rare Variety Show since 1988.

My aim is to continue to promote the hobby, and the Budgerigar Society, at every opportunity to as wide an audience as possible.

The Budgerigar Society has been a major part of my life for many years. I enjoy taking an active part in all aspects and levels of the hobby as I believe the more you give, the more you gain.

I feel it is up to every one of us to encourage and assist newcomers to the hobby, to take on roles at local grass roots level and listen to the ideas and aspirations of others within the fancy. The way to progress this is by being an integral part of the Budgerigar Society General Council. I am always prepared to help, not only as a BS Councillor, at shows and events all round the country, specialist societies, area societies and local clubs etc.

I aim to continue to work for the good of the fancy as a whole and to do my utmost to promote the hobby at every opportunity.

Having worked tirelessly for the last twelve years as a General Council Member, attending all shows in my area, working to ensure all members are consulted on every issue brought before the council, I want to continue this work in the future. I feel it is important that every member has a voice on the council through the representatives – and I believe I will continue to represent the hobby at the “grass roots level”.

We need to continue to provide advice, support and guidance to all keepers of Budgerigars, be they pet keepers or exhibition breeders. This will ensure that the hobby continues to grow, reaching into the community and the local clubs and making a difference where it really matters.

Let me be your voice, putting forward your concerns, raising your questions and bringing you the answers that you want to hear.

I am retiring from the Society Administrator role, a role in which I have enjoyed working for you the members. I would still like to contribute to the progression of the Society that I love and by standing for the GC I feel I can do this and provide continuity for the benefit of all members in these challenging times.

I have served the Society as Vice Chairman (6 years), Chairman (10 years) and recently as Administrator (8 years). During this time, I have worked tirelessly to improve the Society and hobby.

I was instrumental in introducing ideas including the two year new members deal and we need to continue to attract new members to our wonderful hobby and at the same time offer an attractive and forward thinking Society to retain our existing members. If elected, this will be at the forefront of my thoughts and actions.

I have been in the hobby for more than 50 years. In that time I have been a continuous member of the Budgerigar Society General Council for the last 36 years.

I am an HLM, Panel Judge and Past President of the Society. I have been a member on all BS Committees except the Show Committee. I am currently Secretary/Treasurer of the Welsh Budgerigar Society (last 28 years) but have held all positions except Chairman over 40 years.

I can always be found helping out around the shows, and through being Secretary of the Welsh BS I get lots of phone calls/emails asking for advice from members, new starters and members of the general public who have got my address from both the Welsh BS and my personal website, and I am always willing and available to give that advice.

I am incredibly grateful for the friendships, life skills and experiences that this wonderful hobby has given me and see it as my duty to do all that I can to support, promote and serve the Budgerigar Society. As a Partner in a leading law firm in the UK and the owner/director of a number of successful family businesses (ranging from commercial property, self-storage to drive-thru retail), I have a unique skill set which I use to the best of my ability as a member of the General Council.

An organisation that stands still will go backwards. Therefore, the adaptation of the Society to the modern world is essential for the survival and prosperity of our hobby. Engagement with the fancy is key to securing sustainable development of the Society. However, such engagement must be approached constructively with respect being granted to all those who share our affection towards budgerigars.

I believe that all members of the Budgerigar Society irrespective of their status should be represented by strong open-minded councillors that are willing to listen to members ideas and concerns. Councillors that will thoroughly assess all avenues and opportunities which may help to promote and rejuvenate the hobby. Councillors that will embrace today’s readily available technology to help promote expansion and growth, which in turn will hopefully facilitate and encourage members to participate in all aspects of the day-to-day activities of the Society.

Those of you that know me know I am not afraid to speak my mind and I possess the attributes and ethics needed to represent the diverse range of members within our Society. Should I be fortunate enough to be re-elected I will work diligently on your behalf, moving with the times respecting our standards and traditions to ensure that our Society flourishes for generations to come.

I abided by the BS letter, no electioneering prior to election; I would like to see this changed for the next candidates, nomination letters to the BS office, confirmation letter returned, Media and any publication to promote themselves.

1) I would like to see all members’ questions discussed and published in the BS magazine.
2) I would like to see the BS rings slightly larger, with an option for next day delivery.
3) Show Promoting societies to be able to contact a WBO judge directly to judge their show anywhere in the world and not have to go through the BS office, just inform the BS Patronage secretary.

I’ve worked for the NBS, in the roles of, President, Chairman and Year-book Editor, Show Manager, Website, Publicity and Social Secretary and the Budgerigar Society, Social secretary. On the committee for the Budgerigar Society Spring Events at Seaton Burn and the Scotch corner.

I have been honoured and privileged to serve on the Council for 23 years – 9 as Chairman. I consider that I am a custodian of this wonderful small livestock society, maintaining the great work of our forefathers, as well as progressing and modernising in a fair/reasonable way to the new challenges of the 21st Century.

Having been captured by the cult of the Budgerigar for 52 years, a vote for me is a vote for a “safe pair of hands” with a common-sense approach. A true fancier with the interests of true fanciers at heart. A Cornish man giving loyal representation to the Western Counties area. Ensuring stability and continuity to the society in these difficult times. I would like to thank you for your previous support, especially in the recent EGM vote.

Enjoy Budgerigars, enjoy life and thank you for your vote.

To all members, once again I have applied to be a member of the General Council for the next three years in which I will continue to work on the administrative side of the hobby by means of Patronage Administration and Show Secretary for 2021. I have enjoyed being your President for the last two years and once this position has been passed to Phil Reaney, I will continue to help the Society progress.

I am not a supporter of the BS Progression Group, but I do believe in change where needed but done in the correct manner and not by ridiculing individuals on social media. I believe local areas should be involved in the Budgerigar Society to this end the delegates for each area should be approved by the local area.

Looking forward to a future where we all enjoy the hobby and continue to improve our budgerigars.

I firmly believe that existing members and new members should have their opinions listened too. I would like to see a BS organised raffle similar the Mid-Essex raffle. To encourage top fanciers to supply birds. With 50% of the proceeds to the fanciers and 50% to be divided to UK societies. This will help all members to have a chance of a top bird for £1.

I think ring issue date should be looked at again, Club Show to return to November and two year breeder classes. (This would encourage fanciers to pair up when the birds are breeding fit not when the rings are available.) Our birds wellbeing and health is extremely important.

If elected I will endeavour to put the Budgerigar Society interests first.

I first joined the Budgerigar Society as a Junior in the late 1950’s and moved to beginner in 1966. I was a keen exhibitor during that time but left the fancy in 1971. I ran my own business for 40 years using latest technology.

I have completed 6 years on the B.S General Council with 100% attendance record and was part of the sub-group researching the quality of our rings. My aim on the General Council is to represent the views of the membership with an active part with its development and progression.

I have always tried to support and help local clubs as I believe they are important to our development. I am the Chairman and Show secretary of Trent Valley B.S ensuring we maintain a good social balance. I feel this is essential as not everyone is keen to exhibit. This can also offer something to family members.

I am seeking your support for re-election to the General Council as part of a team committed to representing the interests of our entire membership.

I care passionately about our hobby and have been a part of it for more than forty years. If re-elected, I will:
1) Listen to members wishes and work to implement them.
2) Strive for continuous improvement in the BS.
3) Encourage members to be not just active but pro-active to make the hobby stronger.
4) Seek investment opportunities for the BS to benefit our members.
5) Promote the modernisation of the BS, while at the same time respecting its long history.

I am forward looking and “think outside of the box”, aided by a business background at senior level, good academic qualifications, and broad hobby experience. Tempered by common sense, I find it easy to be neutral and assess the benefits, whether they suit me personally or not.