Hello community
I was reading the RSPB Safeguarding Species paper and I just had to tell you about this thay I read in the foreword in the part where we can help.
About 120 years ago a group of ladies gathered to discuss the current fashion in hats. These brave ladies were preparing to tackle the trade in feathers used for hats at the time. Thousands of Egrets, Bird of Paradise, Great Crested Grebes and Kittiwakes among others were being destroyed for the name of fashion!!
The action of these ladies led directly to the Sea Birds Preservation Act of 1869 and the Wild Birds Protection Act 1880.
Isn't that a wonderful tale. Makes us think, alright.
Thank you
TashnuAbout a 120 years ago, a group of
ladies gathered to discuss the current fashion in hats. But this was no idle chat over coffee – these ladies were preparing to tackle the trade in plumes for women's hats, a fashion responsible for the destruction of many thousands of egrets, birds of paradise and other species. The UK had already seen the wholesale destruction of such native birds as great-crested grebes and kittiwakes for their plumage, leading to early legislation such as the Sea Birds Preservation Act of 1869 and the Wild Birds Protection Act of 1880.
ladies gathered to discuss the
current fashion in hats. But this
was no idle chat over coffee –
these ladies were preparing to
tackle the trade in plumes for
women's hats, a fashion
responsible for the destruction of
many thousands of egrets, birds
of paradise and other species.
The UK had already seen the
wholesale destruction of such
native birds as great-crested
grebes and kittiwakes for their
plumage, leading to early
legislation such as the Sea Birds
Preservation Act of 1869 and the
Wild Birds Protection Act of 1880.
Good for you Tash for finding this and good for those ladies watching what they were wearing. Amazing how such a small group could have led to two acts preserving and protecting our wildlife.
I am constantly questioning my own use of leather and worry about it, but am totally against anything in fur. Oddly enough I hadn't questioned feathers! Not that I buy things with feathers, but presumably if I did, they would be feathers shed naturally or even man made look-alikes!
bye for now
Now that would make sense Alan..........
Unknown said:Didn't the RSPB come about because of a woman
It did indeed. It was founded in 1889 by Emily Williamson in Didsbury, Manchester for the very reasons that Tash has set out. There's a Wikipedia article about it here.
Women rule OK !!!!!
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Tony
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How interesting !
We ladies do have our moments, don't we x
Tashnu