FOREIGN BIRD FEDERATION

 

Carolina Drake

The Foreign Bird Federation was established to be the umbrella organisation for foreign bird keeping in the UK and to represent foreign bird keepers at the National Council for Aviculture.

The organisation was originally founded in the 1980s, but was dormant (except for producing the annual Register of Birds Bred in Captivity in the UK) for a long period until about two years ago. One of its objectives is to represent our interests to government, providing a larger voice than individual birdkeepers and societies would have, and this is one of the main benefits of being affiliated to the FBF.

The Foreign Bird Federation recently held an EGM which was largely successful in electing officials to fill vacant committee positions. Peter Collins of the Foreign Bird Association is the new Chairman, with David Paine of the Zebra Finch Society as Vice-Chairman. Philip Schofield of the Avicultural Society was confirmed as the new Breeding Registrar. Dennis Webster (NBFA) agreed to continue as Acting Secretary (in addition to his duties as Treasurer), so the Federation can now move forward with a functioning committee.

The eight member organisations are all very keen to see the Federation continue, but are aware that it is unlikely to have a long term future without wider support. All foreign bird clubs are invited to join the Federation and help redefine its role and aims so that it can best serve the interests of the foreign bird fancy as a whole. If some clubs feel that the FBF presently does not offer them what they need, now is the time to join and change it for the better. There are vacancies for a secretary and NCA representatives, so there are real opportunities for new members to have a strong voice within the organisation. Affiliation is open to foreign bird clubs of any kind, £25 to Acting Secretary Dennis Webster, 89 Melbourn Rd, Royston, Herts, SG8 7DG.

Officers elected for 2010 - 2011 at EGM on 16th May 2010
Chairman - Peter Collins (FBA)
Publicity Officer - Nigel Hewston
Vice-Chairman - David Paine (ZFS)
Auditors - Ernie & Peter Gallimore
Acting Honorary Secretary - Dennis Webster
Breeding Registrar - Philip Schofield
Treasurer - Dennis Webster
Webmaster - David Jones

Our next meetings will be as follows:

Council meeting: 16th January 2011 (to be confirmed).
AGM: 20th March 2011.
All meetings to be at Wednesbury "Sons of Rest".


FBF meeting on 22nd March 2009 at Cheswick Green Village Hall.

FBF meeting on 22nd March 2009 at Cheswick Green Village Hall.


What's new on the site? (Most recent first.)

  • Meeting dates, see opposite - edited 22nd July
  • Report on the EGM, see opposite - added 24th June
  • Elected Officers for 2010 - 2011, see opposite - updated 8th June
  • Meeting dates, see opposite - added 8th June
  • Link to Avian Rearing Resource - added 14th April
  • Link to Lakelandbirdkeepers - added 5th April
  • Summary of FBF AGM - 14th March 2010 - added 25th March
  • FBF Press release - added 23rd March
  • Summary of NCA Management Committee Meeting - 9th December, 2009 - added 9th January 2010
  • Summary of Foreign Bird Federation Meeting - 22nd November, 2009 - added 8th December 09
  • More NCA meeting summaries 09 - added 7th December 09
  • Information pages about The Avicultural Society (here), the International Turaco Society (here) and the Foreign Bird League (here) - added 14th August 09
  • Information pages about The Foreign Softbill Society UK (FSSUK) and the Severn Counties Foreign & British Bird Society (S.C.F & B.B.S.) - added 25th July 09
  • Information page about the Java Sparrow Society UK - added 22nd July 09
  • Link to Foreign Softbill Society UK - added 1st July 09

Full Constitution of the FBF
Summary of FBF AGM - 14th March 2010
Summary of FBF Meeting - 22nd November, 2009

NCA Summaries of Management Committee Meetings 2009
NCA Summaries of Management Committee Meetings 2008
Foreign Bird Federation Press Release

The Foreign Bird Federation held its AGM on March 14th at Wednesbury (see summary). All the clubs which have renewed their affiliation for 2010 were represented, and all made clear their continuing support for the Federation. Thanks were expressed to Treasurer Dennis Webster for his help with secretarial duties, to Bryan Reed for his continued support in difficult personal circumstances, and particularly to Reuben Girling for his valuable work over many years in collating the Breeding Register, a task which he has now decided to hand on to someone new. A well-known aviculturist has declared an interest in taking on this role, and it is anticipated that the appointment of a new Breeding Registrar will be confirmed in the very near future, assuring the continuation of this important aspect of the Federation's work.

The treasurer's report showed the finances to be well-managed and relatively healthy. It was agreed unanimously to renew the Federation's affiliation to the NCA.

Affiliation fees remain at £25 and are now due from member clubs which have yet to renew for 2010. Please send to Dennis Webster, 89 Melbourne Rd, Royston, Herts SG8 7DG. New members are very welcome and affiliation is open to national, regional or local foreign bird clubs of any kind.

Support from clubs remains strong (only one member club has indicated that it will not be re-affiliating this year). What is now needed is for more individuals from those clubs to take on a role in running and developing the Federation. There are vacancies on the council, and member organisations will shortly receive notice of an EGM so that remaining key positions can be filled.

Publicity officer Nigel Hewston said, "The AGM was very positive, but some Federation officers are unable to continue in post for various reasons. This is a great opportunity for some new faces to come in and move the Federation forward."

Publicity Officer: Nigel Hewston
E-mail: nigelhewston@middlehall.myzen.co.uk
Phone: 01453 826944
Middle Hall Farmhouse, Middle Street, Eastington, Stonehouse, Glos GL10 3BD.

Download and print Word version of this press release.


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