We've just received a fabulous email from one of Minsmere's earliest ever RSPB volunteers, which I thought everyone would like to read. We love hearing your memories from Minsmere past, especially as we continue to celebrate 75 years of Minsmere.
Guest blog by Brian Morris, Minsmere volunteer in 1947
I have just returned from a short holiday in Suffolk. Whilst there I visited Minsmere and was surprised to find that it was the 75th Anniversary of that very special place.
It was 1947 and I would have been 14 and a very keen bird watcher when I answered an advert in a magazine or paper, I cannot remember which, for volunteers to assist a warden in a new RSPB project in Suffolk. I was asked to attend an interview at RSPB headquarters in Sandy, which at that time had a direct rail link with my home in Cambridge. I was interviewed by Peter Condor who was the director of the RSPB.
I was successful and a week or two later saw me living in a small hut with another chap and the warden, on what is now Minsmere Nature Reserve. We spent our time cutting and chopping paths through dense undergrowth, but my memories are not of that but of seeing for the first time a marsh harrier flying over the reed beds and then as night fell being taken by the warden to hear the call of the nightjar.
On awaiting the train at Leiston station I was joined on the platform by Peter Condor and Derick Barber who was at that time Chairman of the RSPB. As a 14-year-old I was very proud to be in the company of such important people. Both were kind and thanked me for my efforts.
Minsmere is 75 years old, and I am older but my memory of that short period of my life is much treasured.
Happy Anniversary Minsmere!
Brian Morris, ca 1948
It's a great read
Fantastic! Has he read the the book 'Birds in a Cage'? I'd never heard of Peter Conder (wish it really was Condor!) before reading that.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.