Association of Specialist Budgerigar Societies News

ASSOCIATION OF SPECIALIST BUDGERIGAR SOCIETIES NEWS - December 2022
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Chairman

The Association (ASBS) publication The Specialist Review winter issue was posted during December to all current paid members only. Please send your subscription without delay to Ian Brickwood (60 Booth Lane South, Westone, Northampton NN3 3EP). The annual fee due on 1^st January is £15 single, £12 pensioner/disabled, £9 junior, £21 same address partnership and £25 different address partnership. The ASBS also offer the life membership fee of 20 times the single membership fee. The new membership form was sent out to all members in the last issue and can also be downloaded from the website www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk

The ASBS is an association created from the amalgamation of five specialist societies and caters for the breeders of crests, clearwings, rare varieties, spangles, pieds and colour budgerigars.

With the show season is over and members are turning their attention to the breeding season we congratulate all of our members who participated at the recent B.S. club show and done well with their birds. It was refreshing to see two of our varieties; spangle and dominant pied achieving higher honours winning two of the four major specials. Congratulations also to our editor John Cosby for winning best colour budgerigar in show.

John Cosby

The Association AGM will be held on Sunday 14^th May 2023 at Bugbrooke Sports & Community Centre, Bugbrooke near Northampton. This is part of the Annual Members show held in conjunction with the Specialist Societies Combined Event with the Lutino & Albino BS. A Full programme and show schedule will be sent to all paid up members with the Spring Specialist Review. The Specialist & Rare Variety Show is planned for the weekend of 24^th/25^th June 2023.

All patronage application forms, which can be downloaded from the website, need to be sent by the 28^th February to the patronage secretaries Rod & Sue Clarke, 45 Northampton Road, Broughton, Kettering, Northants. NN14 1NR. The association kept the cost down to show promoting societies at a big financial loss to the association because of the rising cost of rosettes and the fact that now the full patronage comprises of 5 specialist societies. The maximum cost is £25 if you apply for patronage for all the 5 specialist societies.

For all other information, other than subscriptions & patronage, please contact the Chairman/Secretary Ghalib Al-Nasser at ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com or telephone 01787 282332 or 07886 257833.

Association Of Specialist Budgerigar Societies News - May 2022
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser

The Association (ASBS) publication The Specialist Review spring issue will be posted during April/May to current paid members only. Please send your subscription without delay to Ian Brickwood (60 Booth Lane South, Westone, Northampton NN3 3EP). The annual fee due on 1^st January is £12 single, £9 pensioner/disabled/junior, £18 same address partnership and £22 different address partnership. The ASBS also offer the life membership fee of 20 times the single membership fee. The new membership form was sent out to all members in the last issue and can also be downloaded from the website www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk

The AGM will be held on Sunday 15^th May 2022 at Bugbrooke Sports & Community Centre, Bugbrooke near Northampton. This is part of the Specialist Societies Combined Event with the Lutino & Albino BS after their successful joint event in previous years. Martin Bagnall, Graham Barton and Geoff Tillson will judge the show. Full programme and show schedule will be sent to all paid up members with the Specialist Review.

The Association was very sad to hear of the passing of its Life Vice President Malcolm Freemantle on 14^th April 2022 at the age of 90 years. Malcolm was past president of the Clearwing BBA (now amalgamated with the ASBS) and its past secretary and treasurer for 30 years. He was an icon in the clearwing world and will be sadly missed. Our deepest condolences are extended to his wife Pam and the family.

For all other information other than subscriptions and patronage please contact the chairman Ghalib Al-Nasser at ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com or telephone 01787 282332 or 07886 257833.

Association Of Specialist Budgerigar Societies - November 2021
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Chairman

After missing out on the AGM in 2020 and the normal AGM May date in 2021 due to Covid, the Association was able to hold its third AGM on Sunday 10^th October 2021 at Bugbrooke Sports & Community Centre in conjunction with the Specialist & Rare Variety Open Show. The AGM was reasonably attended with 16 members present who approved the 2020 balance sheet. Although membership is reduced due to Covid and there being no shows, the Association is financially healthy for its progress.

The Association’s President, Arnold Stevens, congratulated all the winners at the show and wished members a successful breeding season.

The chairman, Ghalib Al-Nasser, informed members that, due to health issues, Gren & Pat Norris were unable to take on the associations presidency as they felt that they will not be able to fulfil their duties as they would have wished. The membership present agreed, under these special circumstances, to move up the nominated presidents elect, Rod & Sue Clarke, to the position of joint presidents.

The retiring president Arnold Stevens then transferred the chain of office to Rod & Sue who in turn passed on the Past President’s badge to Arnold.

Members present also approved the nomination for Gren & Pat Norris to be added to the list of Life Vice Presidents for their tremendous contribution to the fancy and the specialist varieties over a very long period and this was passed unanimously.

The new Management Committee elected for a 2 year term (2021 - 2024) are as follows:

President Rod & Sue Clarke

President Elect To be elected at the next AGM

Life Vice Presidents Bob Allen, Ghalib & Janice Al-Nasser, Martin Bagnall, Mick Baker, Rod & Sue Clarke, Sheila Cook, Ian & Pat Fielding, Grant Findlay, Stuart Forbes, Gren & Pat Norris, Richard Risebrow, Dr. Margaret Young

Chairman Ghalib Al-Nasser

Vice-Chairman Bob Allen

General Secretary Ghalib Al-Nasser

Membership Secretary Ian Brickwood

Treasurer Janice Al-Nasser

Patronage Secretaries Rod & Sue Clarke

Editor John Cosby

Publicity Officer Ghalib Al-Nasser

Trophy Steward Jim Mitchell

Committee Chris Hawkins, David Rafis, Arnold Stevens, Shaun Smith, Cy Thorne

New members can send their subscription without delay to Ian Brickwood (60 Booth Lane South, Westone, Northampton NN3 3EP). The annual fee due on 1^st January is £12 single, £9 pensioner/disabled/junior, £18 same address partnership and £22 different address partnerships. The ASBS also offer the life membership fee of 20 times the single membership fee. The membership form can be downloaded from the society’s website www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk

For all other information, other than subscriptions & patronage, please contact the Chairman/Secretary Ghalib Al-Nasser at ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com or telephone 01787 282332 or 07886 257833.

The Outgoing President Arnold Stevens with new Joint Presidents Sue and Rod Clark

Association Of Specialist Budgerigar Societies News - September 2021
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser

Having missed out on our Annual Members Show/AGM in May this year and then the delayed AGM in June to be held at the Specialist & Rare Variety Show, both due to lockdown restrictions, the ASBS are planning to hold their AGM on Sunday, 10^th October 2021 at the Specialist & Rare Variety Show venue in Bugbrooke, commencing at 1200 hrs.

From an AGM point of view the important feature is the handover of the presidency from the current President Arnold Stevens to our Presidents Elect Gren & Pat Norris. The rest of the AGM is taken up by reports from officers and the approval of the accounts. The AGM agenda was initially published in the Spring issue of The Specialist Review which was sent to all paid up members during May so members can use this agenda with the change in date.

The Association’s website (www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk) is fully operational with sections on the Constitution, enrolment form and patronage form. The website also contains the old historical websites of the four societies. Subscriptions are now due and can be sent to Ian Brickwood (60 Booth Lane South, Westone, Northampton NN3 3EP). The annual fee due on 1^st January is £12 single, £9 pensioner/disabled/junior, £18 same address partnership and £22 different address partnership. The ASBS also offer a life membership for a fee of 20 times the single membership fee.

All other information about the ASBS can be obtained from Ghalib Al-Nasser (01787 282332 or ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com).

Association Of Specialist Budgerigar Societies - March 2021
Report Ghalib Al-Nasser

Our first event for 2021 is the Annual Members Show/AGM, which is planned for Sunday 16^th May 2021. We need to be optimistic and think that the event will take place and plan accordingly but in reality, we may be forced to cancel due to government restrictions.

From an AGM point of view the important feature is the handover of the presidency from the current president Arnold Stevens to our presidents elect Gren and Pat Norris. The rest of the AGM is taken up by reports from officers and the approval of the accounts (will be published in the Spring issue of the Specialist Review).

Judges booked from last year are Martin Bagnall, Peter Hickton-Collins and Geoff Tillson. The association will give free entry as a kick start the show season if the event takes place.

The Specialist & Rare Variety Show is planned for the weekend of 26^th/27^th June 2021. Judges booked from last year are Nigel Beevers, Neil Johnson, Geoff Moore and Graham Turner. Again, watch this space for future news of this event.

Subscriptions are now due and can be sent to Ian Brickwood (60 Booth Lane South, Westone, Northampton NN3 3EP). The annual fee due on 1^st January is £12 single, £9 pensioner/disabled/junior, £18 same address partnership and £22 different address partnership. The ASBS also offer the life membership for fee of 20 times the single membership fee.

All patronage application forms, which can be downloaded from the website, are to be sent to the Patronage Secretaries Rod and Sue Clarke, 45 Northampton Road, Broughton, Kettering, Northants. NN14 1NR. All societies who have applied for patronage in 2020, it will be honoured for 2021.

All other information about the ASBS can be obtained from Ghalib Al-Nasser (01787 282332 or ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com).

ASSOCIATION OF SPECIALIST BUDGERIGAR SOCIETIES - December 2019
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser

The Association (ASBS) had a successful day at the recent Budgerigar Society Club Show in Doncaster, after its third attempt it won the Best Society Stand at the show. BS President Ronnie Simpson made the presentation of the certificate and £25 cheque to Association Chairman Ghalib Al-Nasser, Vice-chairman Bob Allen and committee member David Rafis. The stand had many new features; the design was by David Rafis with the work carried out by new members John and Leanne Fordham.

At the BS Club Show, successful members included best crest any age by Stewart Beach with a circular skyblue cock and best young bird crest being awarded to Junior Ginge with a circular light green cock. Daniel Norman won both the opposite sex awards. Both rare variety awards were won by Richard and Michael Miller with an anthracite cock and hen. Member Daniel Norman was very pleased with his best clearbody any age grey hen as this bird also won Best Any Age Opposite Sex in Show. The McGovern family, having won Best in Show for the second time with the same grey cock also won the clearbody young bird CC with a Texas clearbody light green cock.

Trevor and Maria Barfoot won the any age colour budgerigar award with a light green cock, while Stephen Cowling won the young bird award with a violet cock. In the spangle green our members Ray Marston won the any age award while Richard and Michael Miller won the young bird award. The spangle blue any age award went to Mick Widdowson with a skyblue cock while the young bird award went to the McGovern family with another skyblue cock. The double factor awards went to John Fordham in the any age and Barry Merrison in the young bird.

In the pied section the best dominant pied green any age by a member was Geoff Capes while Junior Ginge won the young bird award. The dominant pied blue any age was won by Geoff and Anne Moore with a grey cock while the young bird award went to Ghalib and Janice Al-Nasser with a yellowface cobalt cock. The recessive pied any age award went to Gren and Pat Norris with a light green cock while the young bird award went to the Terheege Partnership with a cinnamon grey hen.

The Association’s website (www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk) is fully operational with sections on the Constitution, enrolment and patronage forms as well as the old websites from the four merged societies.

All patronage application forms, which can be downloaded from the website, are to be sent to the patronage secretaries Rod and Sue Clarke, 45 Northampton Road, Broughton, Kettering, Northants. NN14 1NR before 28th February 2020.

The next AGM will be held on 17th May 2020 at Bugbrooke to coincide with the Specialist Societies Combined Event. All other information can be obtained from Ghalib Al-Nasser (01787 282332 or ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com).

ASBS Winning Stand at the BS 2019 Club Show - ASBS Chairman Ghalib Al-Nasser and Budgerigar Society President Ronnie Simpson standing, with David Rafis and Bob Allen

828 – Geoff Capes – Best Dominant Pied Green

226 - Trevor and Maria Barfoot - Best Any Age Colour Budgerigar

656 – Stewart Beach – Best Any Age Crest

Association of Specialist Budgerigar Societies - July 2019
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser

The association held its second AGM on Sunday 19^th May 2019 at Bugbrooke Sports & Community Centre to coincide with the Specialist Societies Combined Event. The AGM was well attended with 26 members who approved the 2018 balance sheet and last year’s AGM minutes. Both membership and finances of the association are very healthy for the association to progress.

The Association president, Arnold Stevens, made the following presentations to last year’s winners:

Crest Most Any Age wins to Oliver & Simon Williams

Crest Most Young Bird wins jointly to Oliver and Simon Williams and John Dixon

Rare Most Any Age wins to Cyril, David and Jini Sharpe

Rare Most Young Bird wins to Bob Allen

Spangle Most Young Bird wins to Dave Sturzaker

The new Management Committee elected for a 2-year term (2018 / 2019) are as follows:

President Arnold Stevens

President Elect Gren & Pat Norris

Life Vice Presidents Bob Allen, Ghalib and Janice Al-Nasser, Martin Bagnall, Mick Baker, Rod and Sue Clarke, Sheila Cook, Grant Findlay, Stuart Forbes, Richard Risebrow, Dr. Margaret Young

Chairman Ghalib Al-Nasser

Vice-Chairman Bob Allen

General Secretary Ghalib Al-Nasser

Membership Secretary Ian Brickwood

Treasurer Janice Al-Nasser

Patronage Secretaries Rod and Sue Clarke

Editor John Cosby

Publicity Officer Ghalib Al-Nasser

Trophy Steward Jim Mitchell

Committee Chris Hawkins, David Rafis, David Sharpe, Shaun Smith, Cy Thorne

Members at the AGM also approved the nomination for Ian and Pat Fielding to be added to the list of Life Vice Presidents for their tremendous contribution to the Variegated BC over many years. The AGM also approved the nomination of Jini Sharpe to be added to the committee.

New members can send their subscription without delay to Ian Brickwood (60 Booth Lane, South, Westone, Northampton NN3 3EP). The annual fee due on 1^st January is £12 single, £9 pensioner/disabled/junior, £18 same address partnership and £22 different address partnership. The ASBS also offer the life membership fee of 20 times the single membership fee. The membership form can be downloaded from the society’s website www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk

For all other information other than subscriptions & patronage please contact the chairman/Secretary Ghalib Al-Nasser at ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com or telephone 01787 282332 or 07886 257833.

ASBS President Arnold Stevens presenting
Oliver and Simon Williams with their 2018 Crest Awards

Association Of Specialist Budgerigar Societies - May 2019
Reported by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Chairman

The Association (ASBS) publication The Specialist Review will be posted during April/May to current paid up members only. Please send your subscription without delay to Ian Brickwood (60 Booth Lane South, Westone, Northampton NN3 3EP). The annual fee due on 1^st January is £12 single, £9 pensioner/disabled/junior, £18 same address partnership and £22 different address partnership. The ASBS also offer the life membership fee of 20 times the single membership fee. The new membership form was sent out to all members in the last issue and can also be downloaded from the website www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk

The AGM will be held on Sunday 19^th May 2019 at Bugbrooke Sports & Community Centre, Bugbrooke near Northampton. This is part of the Specialist Societies Combined Event with the Lutino & Albino BS after the successful joint event in previous four years. Nigel Beevers, John Cooke and the new Budgerigar Society president Ronnie Simpson will judge the show. Full programme and show schedule will be sent to all paid up members with the Specialist Review.

At a recent committee meeting of the Association it was agreed to take the Colour Budgerigar under its wing and rosettes for Best Colour Budgerigar adult and young bird will be included in all patronage packages from next year.

A new President Chain of Office was purchased and presented to its President Arnold Stevens at the committee meeting.

For all other information other than subscriptions and patronage please contact the Chairman Ghalib Al-Nasser at ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com or telephone 01787 282332 or 07886 257833.

Ghalib Al-Nasser presenting Arnold Stevens
with the new ASBS President Chain of Office

ASSOCIATION OF SPECIALIST BUDGERIGAR SOCIETIES - January 2019
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser

The Association (ASBS), incorporating the Crested BC, Rare Variety and Colour BS, Spangled BBA and the Variegated BC, held its first club show at the 2018 BS Club Show with good entries in all the varieties under the auspices of the ASBS. The spangle and the dominant pied fared well with the sections and including best young bird opposite sex. Unfortunately, the exhibitors were not members of the ASBS.

In the crested variety, members Paul Cheatley and Terry Alcorn won both challenge certificates with circular skyblue and light green cocks. In the rare variety section, members Richard & Michael Miller and Bob Allen won the any age and young bird awards respectively, while Roger Swain & Sue Ford and Geoff Bowley won the clearbody awards. Barry Merrison and Mark Bannister won the any other colour members awards. In the spangle sections Geoff and Pauline Pidd won both best spangle green awards, while Gren and Pat Norris won the spangle blue any age and Daniel Norman the young bird award. Geoff and Ann Moore won the double factor spangle any age award, while Gren and Pat Norris the young bird award. Richard Ward won the best dominant pied green any age award, while Bill & Malcolm Hough won the young bird award. Graham Ball was the winner in the blue series any age while the junior Tia Kinninmonth-Wicks won the young bird award. Gren and Pat Norris won both recessive pied challenge certificates with a light green and a cobalt cock.

Thanks For Manning The Stand

The association extend its sincere thanks to David Rafis and Bob Allen for manning the stand throughout the weekend collecting subscriptions and selling the new badge while a new past presidents’ chains of office glass cabin was on display at the stand attracting the admiration of many.

The autumn issue of the Association Specialist Review was posted in early December to all paid up members. Those who have not received it please contact Ghalib Al-Nasser.

The annual fee is now due from 1^st January and it is £12 single, £9 pensioner/disabled/junior, £18 same address partnership and £22 different address partnership. The ASBS also offer a life membership fee of 20 times the single membership fee. The membership form was sent out to all members with the last Review and can also be downloaded from the website (www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk). All application forms and fees need to be sent to the new membership secretary Ian Brickwood, 60 Booth Lane South, Westone, Northampton NN3 3EP.

All patronage application forms, which can be downloaded from the website, need to be sent to the patronage secretaries Rod and Sue Clarke, 45 Northampton Road, Broughton, Kettering, Northants. NN14 1NR before 28^th February.

The AGM will be held on 19^th May at Bugbrooke to coincide with the Specialist Societies Combined Event. All other information can be obtained from Ghalib Al-Nasser (01787 282332 or ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com).

Paul Cheatley (Cheatley & Alcorn) - Best Crest

Bob Allen - Best Rare Variety Young Bird

Gren & Pat Norris - Best Spangle Blue Any Age

Association Of Specialist Budgerigar Societies - Presidents Cabin

The association extend its sincere thanks to David Rafis and Bob Allen for manning the stand throughout the BS Club Show weekend collecting subscriptions and selling the new badge while a new past presidents’ chains of office glass cabin was on display at the stand attracting the admiration of many.

New Association Of Specialist Budgerigar Societies Badge Now Available

The new Association badge is available from Ghalib Al-Nasser at a cost of £4

Association Of Specialist Budgerigar Societies - News June 2018
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Chairman

The new Association (ASBS), incorporating the Crested BC, Rare Variety & Colour BS, Spangled BBA and Variegated BC has issued its first publication, The Specialist Review, to all its paid up members in early May which also contained the newly designed Membership Certificate nicely written by Janice Al-Nasser with her italic handwriting. New members can send their subscription without delay to Ian Brickwood (60 Booth Lane South, Westone, Northampton NN3 3EP). The annual fee, due on 1^st January each year, is £12 single, £9 pensioner/disabled/junior, £18 same address partnership and £22 different address partnership. The ASBS also offer the life membership fee of 20 times the single membership fee. The membership form can be downloaded from the society’s website www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk

The society held its inaugural AGM on Sunday 20^th May 2018 at Bugbrooke Sports and Community Centre to coincide with the Specialist Societies Combined Event. The AGM was well attended with 33 members who approved the 2017 balance sheets and AGM minutes of the four societies (CBC, RV&CBS, SBBA & VBC). The past presidents Janice Al-Nasser (CBC & VBC), David Rafis (RV&CBS) and Arnold Stevens (SBBA) were presented with their past president badges and the new Constitution was approved. Both membership and finances of the association are very healthy, which will enable the society to progress.

The new Association president, Arnold Stevens, made the following presentations to last year’s winners:

Crest Most Any Age and Young Bird wins to Ghalib and Janice Al-Nasser

Rare Most Any Age wins to Cyril, David and Jini Sharpe

Rare Most Young Bird wins jointly to Mick Anzara and John Cosby

Spangle Most Young Bird wins to the partnership of Mick Widdowson and Brian Wilson

Arnold Stevens presenting the Crested awards to Ghalib and Janice Al-Nasser

David and Jini Sharpe with President Arnold Stevens

Mick Anzara and John Cosby joint winners of the
2017 Rare Young Bird Shield with President Arnold Stevens

The new Management Committee was elected for a 2 year term as follows:

President
President Elect
Life Vice Presidents

Chairman
Vice-Chairman
General Secretary
Membership Secretary
Treasurer
Patronage Secretaries
Editor
Publicity Officer
Trophy Steward
Committee

Arnold Stevens
Gren & Pat Norris
Bob Allen, Ghalib and Janice Al-Nasser, Martin Bagnall, Mick Baker, Rod & Sue Clarke, Sheila Cook, Grant Findlay, Stuart Forbes, Richard Risebrow, Dr. Margaret Young
Ghalib Al-Nasser
Bob Allen
Ghalib Al-Nasser
Ian Brickwood
Janice Al-Nasser
Rod and Sue Clarke
John Cosby
Ghalib Al-Nasser
Jim Mitchell
Chris Hawkins, David Rafis, David Sharpe, Shaun Smith, Cy Thorne

After the AGM the President Arnold Stevens and Chairman Ghalib Al-Nasser performed the cutting of the celebration cake with the society’s logo and all who attended the show enjoyed a piece of the cake.

The Celebration Cake with Ghalib Al-Nasser (Chairman) and Arnold Stevens (President) cutting the ASBS cake

For all other information other than subscriptions and patronage please contact the chairman/Secretary Ghalib Al-Nasser at ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com or telephone 01787 282332 or 07886 257833.

SPECIALIST SOCIETIES COMBINED EVENT 2018 (Feb 18)
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Event Organiser

In its fifth year, this successful event organised by the specialist societies and now by the new Association of Specialist Budgerigar Societies (ASBS) which incorporates the former Crested BC, Rare Variety & Colour BS, Spangled BBA & Variegated BC plus the Lutino & Albino BS. The combined Annual Members Shows and AGMs will be held on Sunday 20^th May 2018 at Bugbrooke Sports & Community Centre, Camp Close, Bugbrooke, Northampton NN7 3RW (the same venue of the National Specialist & Rare Variety Open Show). The Classification will be the same as last year and includes classes for the Barrhead, Pair, Teams as well as Colour Budgerigar.

Steve Cox, Neil Johnson and Andy Thorpe (all specialist breeders of the above varieties) have been invited to judge and they will form a panel to discuss various subjects and varieties in the afternoon.

Each society will provide its own specials as they would for their individual shows. The entry fee to be 30p per cage including sales with 15% commission taken on sales; entries to be for current paid up members of the above specialist societies only. As the show is an Annual Members Show, exhibitors can only enter birds in the classes they are members, i.e. a member of the Lutino & Albino BS can only enter birds in the lutino and albino classes and the same applies to members of the ASBS. Admission to the event is free.

Mini schedules will be sent out to all current paid up members of the two specialist societies during April/May and entries can be sent by post, phone or email in advance to the show secretary Rod Clarke but cannot be accepted on the day. Cage labels will be supplied on arrival at the show when payment by either cash or cheque needs to be made.

Sue Clarke will provide a buffet lunch at £5 per head - booked with her in advance (01536 791132) by no later than Wednesday, 16^th May.

The two societies (ASBS & LABS) will have their AGMs at the event during the morning. These will be staggered to allow more members to attend. The Panel talk is scheduled for 2.00pm.

This is a unique event not to be missed by breeders of the specialist varieties or main stream varieties and will act as an educational platform for all budgerigar fanciers. For more information or mini schedule (by email) contact the Event Organiser, Ghalib Al-Nasser on 01787 282332/07886 257833 or email ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com

ASSOCIATION OF SPECIALIST BUDGERIGAR SOCIETIES (Dec 2017)
Report by Ghalib Al-Nasser, Chairman

The Association (ASBS) was launched with its new stand at the B.S. Club Show ahead of its official formation date. The ASBS, incorporating the Crested BC, Rare Variety & Colour BS, Spangled BBA and Variegated BC, will operate officially as from 1^st January 2018 when all four specialist societies will cease to operate.

The new ASBS stand at the Club Show with
Ghalib Al-Nasser, Bob Allen and David Rafis

The Association’s new website (www.specialistbudgerigars.co.uk) is fully operational with sections on the new proposed Constitution and new enrolment and patronage forms. The new website also contains links to the old websites of the four merging societies. Most of the officials of the four societies are involved in the new Association with the exception of Ian and Pat Fielding who were heavily involved in the VBC for many years. The ASBS extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the tremendous work that these two fanciers have put into the VBC in a variety of offices.

Those fanciers who were either Honorary Life Members or Life Members in any of the previous four societies are automatically life members of the ASBS and are Honorary Life Vice Presidents. The annual membership fee due on 1^st January is £12 single, £9 pensioner/disabled/junior, £18 same address partnership and £22 different address partnership. The ASBS also offer life membership at 20 times the single membership fee. The new membership form was sent out to all members of the four societies last September and can also be downloaded from the new website. All application forms and fees to be sent to the new membership secretary Ian Brickwood, 60 Booth Lane South, Northampton NN3 3EP.

Patronage Application

2018 patronage application forms, which can be downloaded from the website, are to be sent to the patronage secretaries Rod & Sue Clarke, 45 Northampton Road, Broughton, Kettering, Northants. NN14 1NR before 28^th February 2018.

The AGM to ratify the new Constitution and elect the officers will be held on 20^th May 2018 at Bugbrooke to coincide with the Specialist Societies Combined Event. All other information can be obtained from Ghalib Al-Nasser (01787 282332 or ghalib.alnasser@gmail.com).

As 2017 was the last Club Show for the four individual societies; the winners for the Crested Club by members were Paul Cheatley and Terry Alcorn who did the double by winning both best of colour awards with two super circular cobalt cocks; the young bird winner was the best overall crest in show. Daniel Norman won the award for best crest any age opposite sex. Ghalib and Janice Al-Nasser won the young bird opposite sex award.

In the Rare Variety and Colour BS section Deamonn Mullee won the best any age rare while Shaun Smith won the young bird award. In the Clearbody section it was Daniel Norman who won the any age while Colin and Lynne Dailey won the young bird award. It was Bob Allen who won the best any other colour any age, while Daniel Norman won the young bird award.

In the Spangled BBA, the partnership of Mick Widdowson and Brian Wilson won the green any age award while Daniel Norman won the opposite sex award. The best spangle green young bird was won by Mark Bannister while Ray Marston won the opposite sex award. The spangle blue award was won by Jeff Burns for best any age and young bird. Gren & Pat Norris won the any age opposite sex while J Clark won the young bird opposite sex. The double factor spangle awards were won by Jeff Burns for the any age and Widdowson and Wilson for the best young bird while Gren and Pat Norris won the any age opposite sex award.

Finally, the Variegated BC awards; the dominant pied awards went to Sandra and James Gillan for the any age while Ellis and Purdue took the young bird award. The recessive pied awards went to Ellis and Purdue for the any age and Ian and Pat Fielding for the young bird.

Rare Variety and Colour BS, Bob Allen, Best Any Other Colour Any Age by a member.	Rare Variety and Colour BS, Clearbody section Colin (in photo) and Lynne Dailey won the young bird award
Rare Variety and Colour BS, Daniel Norman, Best Young Bird	Rare Variety and Colour BS, Deamonn Mullee, Best Any Age Rare
Spangled BBA, Jeff Burns, Spangle Blue Award for Best Any Age and Young Bird	Rare Variety and Colour BS, Shaun Smith, Best Young Bird award by a member
Variegated BC, Sandra and James Gillan Any Age Dominant Pied award	Variegated BC, Ellis and Purdue took the Dominant Pied Young Bird award