Yesterday I had the great pleasure along with Medways' Group Leader, Wendy Birtall to attend the RSPBs' AGM and Members' Day, held at the QE11 Conference Centre in Westminster. It was doubly important for Medway Group to be there as their own Des and Carol Felix were amongst the 8 recipients of the highly prestigious President's Award. This is given out once a year to 6 people or couples who have made an outstanding contribution over many years to the Society.
When Adrian Thomas informed members that it was his intention to nominate them for the award and could we add to the list of achievements over the years it was an easy yet eventually surprisingly difficult task to encapsulate all they had done over many years of unstinting toil for the group. As Dr Clarke said in this citation, 'Even the family get roped in as their daughters and grandchildren are here today'.
They have assisted many times at Northward Hill reserve, from Country Fayres to the Family Fun days, not forgetting the Nightingale Event at the reserve earlier on in the year to bring to the publics' attention the wonder of these delightful songsters and their plight at Lodge Hill.
It is gratifying to know that along with Roger Kiddie last year, the reserve can be proud that two years running its' volunteers have been recognised for their continued commitment to the charities' work.
The North Kent Marshes are a very special area and worth preserving at all cost.
Well done and congratulations to them.