The History of Clwyd Budgerigar Society

The History of

Clwyd Budgerigar Society

Within the North Wales Area during the late 1970’s there were many cage bird Societies, but not one catered exclusively towards the Budgerigar. It was during one of the meetings of the local cage bird Society that arguments arose thus dividing the budgerigar fanciers from the other birds exhibited and catered for.

It was in 1978 that Bill Jones, Dave Henderson and Eric Peake had the original idea to form Clwyd Budgerigar Society. The name Clwyd was derived from the County name of local government. Two years ago the County decided to adopt the old County name of Flintshire, but the budgerigar Society still retains the name of Clwyd.

The very first show held was in the Royal British Legion in Flint and was judged by well known U.K fancier Terry Pilkington of Lancashire. The initial meetings of the Society were held at the Red Lion public house at Northop. A committee was chosen comprising of approximately 10 people, to organise the day to day running of the Society. The Red Lion soon became too small as a venue to hold the monthly meetings, due to the rapid growth of membership. Meetings were then held at the Royal Oak Hotel in Flint, other meeting venues to date include the Halfway House, Connah’s Quay, Northop Hall, The Conservative Club, Shotton and our current venue at the Mancot Social Club.

Each monthly meeting provides members with an opportunity to view and air their opinions on the running of the Society. Experienced speakers often visit to share their knowledge and expertise and to answer questions on the budgerigar fancy. The Society is fortunate to still have several prominent breeders and exhibitors who where part of that inaugural meeting involved in the decision making today within the active membership. These include John Monks, specialising in Clearwings, Dave Cottrell, well known for his Recessive Pieds and part of the Budgerigar Society general council for over 20 years and last but not least Eric Peake, who illustrated the current BS ideal both in America and the United Kingdom. Three very experienced fanciers with close to 100 years experience of breeding budgerigars between them.

The Society has hosted two Lancashire, Cheshire & N Wales BS Forums. Jointly with Deeside Cage Bird Society in 1980, and independently in 1992 when our North Wales Convention attracted over 300 fanciers to the historic Bodelwyddan Castle, to hear leading speakers Steve Amos, Ron Thumwood, Roger Carr, Eric Peake, Dr John Baker, Roy Stringer and the late and great Harry Bryan. Articles penned for this event can be found on other pages within the CLWYD BS web site.

Very successful open shows have been held since 1981, the Society annually hosts the “Championship Show of North Wales”, culminating in a best ever entry of 1548 birds entered at our 1991 event, with exhibitors attending from all over the United Kingdom. Our present Open Championship Shows are held at the St Richard Gwyn High School, Flint in July (BS Week 29)

Page last updated, 22 August, 2000