'Don't stop me now I'm having such a good time, I'm having a ball'. You can't beat a bit of Queen when it comes to partying. And, despite the miserable weather in the photo, that's exactly what we were doing when our local Phoenix group visited us to celebrate their 20th birthday. It's quite an achievement when the group is older than its members who are all aged between 12 and 18. The group's success is in the main due to the commitment of its ever enthusiastic leader, Bev Hylton, who has been around from day one.
For those who aren't familiar with Phoenix groups, they are the RSPB's Youth Membership clubs that get teenagers to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in to conservation activities as well as nurturing their love of nature.
Tom and the group return for pop and sandwiches after a windswept walk
Tom Cross, Bempton Cliffs' Membership Development Manager, organised the event and is a wonderful example of how experience gained from this group can help youngsters forge careers in conservation.
From being knee high to a puffin, Tom has loved wildlife. He joined the RSPB's junior society, Wildlife Explorers before progressing to the Phoenix group and then adult RSPB membership. His teenage years spent with the Phoenix group helped him form a real connection with the natural world through hands-on activities such as improving habitats or building homes for nature. And he has really happy memories of days spent up to his ankles in mud clearing ponds and even falling in one in an attempt to get closer to a species of bird.
Today’s members are equally as passionate as Tom.
14 year old Jacob Jackson lives in Hessle and has been a member of the group for around 18 months. He’s always been interested in wildlife and progressed from the junior group, Wildlife Explorers into the Phoenix Group. Jacob said: ‘Some people think it’s nerdy, but it’s not. I feel I’m really making a difference in the natural world and that’s really cool’.
Ethan Scott from Beverly is 17 and he’s been a member for five years and appreciates the opportunity to get out into the wilds and do something a bit different. And the different things the group does range from building habitats for snakes to beach cleans. Of course, there's plenty of time to watch birds and observe wildlife too.
Back in the Seabird Centre, Group Leader Bev Hylton, was presented with a certificate and a watercolour painting to mark the occasion. A surprised Bev said if she didn’t like it so much, she’d cut it up into tiny pieces so she could share it with all the members as it’s only because of them, and the support from her amazing activity leaders, that the group has gone from strength to strength.
Siobhan McGuigan, RSPB’s Youth Development Officer for Northern England, praised Bev's dedication over the years:
‘It’s important to say Thank You – and Bev does such a tremendous job. She's inspired generations of youngsters to get involved with conservation projects that not only benefits nature but the community too'.
Tom Cross, Bev Hylton and Siobhan McGuigan
If you know someone who is interested in joining the East Riding RSPB Phoenix Group, you can get in touch with Bev at: bev.hylton@eastriding.gov.uk