Obituaries archives

Some forum members will already have heard, but there has been some very sad news over the last week concerning a stalwart of the Manchester Birding scene; more for his contribution to the birds than to birding per se. Alf Neild, husband of Chris Neild, and leading light in Shell Carrington Nature Reserve passed away on Monday 25th July. I have been away in Scotland until last night and could not post before today but feel that such a dedicated man should be remembered by us all for his selfless work over the last 20 years to turn Shell NR into the fantastic habitat that it is today, having risen from the ruins of chemical plant buildings to become one of Greater Manchester's premier sites. Alf and Chris have given countless hours and days of their time to look after Shell NR and its avian inhabitants, foregoing trips out to watch birds at other sites, something we all do so readily and take for granted. Their work has benefitted the habitat and ecosystem at Shell NR leading to high biodiversity and productivity, and allowing the survival of thousands of birds over the years - how many of us can say we have done that?

So Alf will not only be missed by all his friends and colleagues at Shell, those birders who have met him in the field and all the nature lovers out there who he has helped and given advice to, he will also be sorely missed by the birds. Bravely Chris has vowed to continue on her own to be the beating heart behind Shell NR and we all wish her well and our deepest sympathies and all our thoughts are with her at this very sad time.

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)

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.

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)