MANCHESTER BIRDING

COUNTY OBITUARIES ARCHIVES

 

JUNE 2008

Birdwatchers in the Wigan and Leigh area will be sorry to hear of the death on 15th June of Dru Knowles, at the age of 84. Dru, a great friend and contemporary of Frank Horrocks, was a keen birdwatcher, particularly in the Lilford Park area, and a self-taught botanist.  She was a long-time member of the Leigh Ornithological Society, whose newsletter she contributed to. Although she had lived in care for the last two or three years, due to illness, she was able to go to Pennington Flash in early May, when there were Little Gulls present from Horrocks Hide.
Dru was a female birder when they were thin on the ground.  She was never afraid of going out alone in the countryside and never cared if people thought she had a strange hobby for a woman! She loved to see a new bird or plant and would celebrate with a glass of sherry! Her early life had not been easy, and she did not have the educational opportunities taken for granted today. When in later life she had the time to follow her own inclinations, she was determined to make the most of it. 
Her room in the care home was filled with Gordon Yates photographs and other birding memorabilia, and her window overlooked the garden where she was able to watch a fair number of species. (written by Judith Smith)

JANUARY 2007

It is with great sadness that yesterday (16th Jan), county birder Peter Hill passed away. Peter was well known as County Bird Recorder for Greater Manchester from 1987 to 1990 and as Rochdale recorder from then (atleast) until last year. It has been asked that could those who knew Peter, not ring the family at this time.

AUGUST 2006

Birdwatchers and conservationists in the Rochdale and Oldham areas will be very sorry to hear of the sudden death of Derek Elsey, whilst on holiday in Spain on August 23rd. Derek was a former Group Leader of the Oldham Group of the RSPB until its demise and had long been associated with Alkrington Woods and Rhodes Lodges. He was a longstanding member of the Oldham and Rochdale Nature Conservation Group, a WeBS and Heronries Survey counter and has taken part in the BTO's Waterways Breeding Bird Survey.

Derek was cremated in Spain and a memorial service was held on Wednesday September 6th, at St, Michaels's Church, Townley Street, Alkrington. (written by Judith Smith)