Group enjoy talk from an alternative viewpoint

When making bat boxes, a friend requested a box for a woodpecker, which gradually morphed into creating willow bird feeders. He was then intrigued by the questions of: When we started to feed birds and when did we call birds ‘garden birds’ instead of ‘wild birds’?

Relationships of love and war with birds, has evolved and changed, when events in society altered people’s perceptions. Feeding ducks in parks and recognising familiar garden visitors; such as goldfinch, blue tit or blackbird is a relatively modern concept. A century ago, garden birds was not a familiar term because they were a source of food. There is a very different relationship today because birds were previously persecuted and killed; we ate blue tits and robins. This talk enlightened as, to how and why society and perceptions, changed over thousands of years - until we now care for them.  

To rid what was seen as agricultural pests, during reign of Queen Elizabeth I, an Act of Parliament meant the heads of house sparrows were taken to the Parish Church, for a bounty. Gradually attitudes became more humane, when 1889 the RSPB was set up by women, with only women members. Effer Lemon pushed against fashionable society, when ladies wore feathers and plumes in hats. Irish MP Richard Martin, campaigned to stop what he perceived as cruelty but was mocked in the press. Gradually more laws and attitude in society started to change and the RSPCA was formed. Children were targeted to bring about change and pledges were made. The Band of Mercy was formed and in 1875 the 540 bands meant 100,000 pledges made. This led in 1876 to the formation of other Societies such as, Dicky Bird Society (not the cricketer!) introducing a children’s nature conservation society.  

World wars influenced society, when feeding birds was illegal and considered a waste of food, leading to prosecutions. Numbers reduced as motor vehicles increased but between wars millions of homes were built. Gardens were discovered by birds and the ‘term’ garden birds appeared in print for first-time. People now treat birds kindly since significant cultural changes

Retired or semi-retired, professional or business ladies meet on the first Thursday each month at Chase Golf Club, 12 noon, to share meal, fellowship and speakers with outings and other activities. New members are welcome: Annual membership is still only £16 and two course lunch £22. For further information contact Membership Secretary, Barbara on 01889 882 166 or Chairman Anne 01922 418 037. 

Annual Lunch entertainment on 3 April by Lucy Lacey and Robert Follows; Songs from Shows and Old School Classics.