Blogger: Adam Murray, Communications Officer

I was in two minds about blogging something for the jubilee weekend because if your family is anything like mine you have staunch republicans (like my Dad) and then memories of my granddad standing and saluting at the Queen and the national anthem.

Then I thought regardless of the fact that the “R” in RSPB shows our historic connections to Liz & Phil, we all like a good ol’ knees up. Even my Dad will no doubt join my Mum in dusting off the bunting and enjoy a tipple of Pimms and a sausage roll.

So I could talk about what makes us British, our peculiarities as a nation (just read a bit of Bill Bryson for this) – then I thought when was the last time we had a big royal party as a nation. Ignoring, the Kate and Will affair, I would go right back to 1977. The year of the Silver Jubilee!

What were you doing in June 1977? Well I was the size of a prawn* in my Mum’s tummy, my good lady wife was a few months old – already sporting some fabilicious corduroy, and the nation was in economical turmoil, with civil unrest and an anti-establishment vibe in the air. Sound familiar?

Also the RSPB had taken over the reserves Lake Vyrnwy and Fowlmere – a stunning site historically used by the watercress industry with it’s crystal clear waters. The plight of the house sparrow began, with dropping population numbers (71% decline between 1977 and 2008). The RSPB Film Unit were filming David Bellamy with heathland species such as the rare Dartford Warbler who had suffered in the 1976 drought.

A lot has changed in 35 years but we will still be taking part in street parties, the Union flag flying high, jelly and ice cream guzzled in large volumes and people coming together as a nation, putting their differences to one side.

This is what we need happen for the next 35 years. I will be 69 years old, my son will be 36 and I am hoping that we can all come together as a nation and we will have halted the decline in biodiversity and have a world richer in wildlife. Watch this space and have a great four day weekend.