AN INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS THE ECFBS?

The Eastern Counties Foreign Bird Society is an established community of individuals, couples and family groups with an interest in foreign birds. By foreign birds this society means just that - birds not native to Britain. In addition to the wide affection for parrots and parrotlike birds, the ECFBS caters for your interests in budgies, finches, glossy starlings, diamond doves, fairy bluebirds, mynah birds... you name it. There is no requirement for members to keep or to have kept foreign birds. Beginners with no knowledge of the fancy are always welcome - more experienced members are only too pleased to help. The atmosphere is invariably friendly and informal.

WHAT AREA IS COVERED?

The society covers the Eastern Counites of the UK, viz, Suffolk, Cambridge and Essex.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN?

You are! We would prefer members to attend meetings. This keeps the society atmosphere alive and, with a greater number of members, encourages our speakers to come along and to recommend other speakers. However, living in one of the Eastern Counties is not a prerequisite, provided you visit there or have home ties there, and sincerely anticipate being able to make it to one or more meetings in a year, you are very welcome to join.

WHAT DOES THE ECFBS OFFER ITS MEMBERS?

A monthly newsletter is sent, by post or e-mail, a few days before each meeting. This can feature forthcoming attractions, member's articles, advertisments and pictures from any recent events. The society meets monthly (except August and December). Most meetings we have a guest speaker, often accompanied by a slide show. Speakers are typically selected for their knowledge, presentation skills and entertainment value, mostly but not exclusively on foreign birds.  Talks can be as diverse as "Birds in Australia", as specific as "Lovebird mutations" and as off-topic as "Wood Green Animal Shelter".

Refreshments are provided and a raffle is held. Meeting attendance is free to members and their guests, although a charge of £1 is levied for interval refreshments. In addition to the monthly meetings, the ECFBS usually organises one or more annual outings to visit bird parks, zoos or, occasionally, individuals' private collections. Typically these trips are held on Sundays. However, long haul trips occasionally take the whole weekend. An annual barbecue is held in the summer, with the society's annual dinner being held in or around February. All outings and events are subsidised.

WHEN DOES THE ECFBS MEET?

Until the end of 2008, except August and December, the ECFBS meets on the THIRD THURSDAY EVENING of EVERY MONTH for 2 to 3 hours, 7:45pm for an 8pm start.

From 2009 onward, except August and December, the ECFBS will meet on the FOURTH THURSDAY EVENING of EVERY MONTH for 2 to 3 hours, 7:45pm for an 8pm start.

WHERE DOES THE ECFBS MEET?

The meeting venue is The Tollgate Hall (behind the Stanway Village Hall), Stanway, nr Colchester, Essex. The venue was chosen for its easy road access and the fact that it is fairly central to the Eastern Counties.

DIRECTIONS:  From the A12: leave at the exit signposted Halstead (formerly the A604) between Marks Tey and Colchester. The signs also pictorially show Colchester Zoo (white elephant on a brown background). At the roundabout at the end of the slip from the A12, head toward Lexden. If coming from the Ipswich direction this will be the first exit from the roundabout; if coming from Chelmsford it will be the third.  Take the first exit at the new roundabout (turning right is signposted Tollgate shops).  At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit signposted Mersea.  At the mini-roundabout, turn right into Villa Road. The Village Hall is on the right-hand side approximately two tenths of a mile into Villa Road. Turn into that entrance; circumnavigate the
Village Hall; Tollgate Hall is in the far right hand side of that complex opposite the playing field.  Be very careful over the speed bumps.  Whoever sanctioned these vicious suspension-testers obviously does not drive and thinks it is safer for pedestrians if cars are going slowly with drivers concentrating on their imposed hazards than going at an appropriately slow speed on the lookout for pedestrians.

WHAT DO I DO TO JOIN?

Come to the next club night at Stanway and give us a look. If you enjoy the meeting, see a committee member and ....join!  If the jury is still out, come to another meeting or two before joining. We do not want you to feel pressure to join if you're unsure. At the time of writing (2008), annual subscriptions for single membership is just £10.00; joint membership is £15:00 per annum, with a £1 charge per person for refreshments at the meeting.

page updated: 7-8-08, RP