I would normally be at work on a Wednesday, but booked today off as holiday. My day commenced with deciding to photograph all my RAR artworks, all unframed paintings, pen and pencil drawings, sketches with notes etc. This took quite a long time. I really need to scan them in properly with my old, but brilliant Epson Perfection V700 Photo scanner, but this will take far longer to do (plus some too large for an A4 scanner) and in any case my iphone does a pretty decent job. I then 'Air Dropped' them to my iPad Pro, to take to the RAR event for others to see if time allowed. I was shocked when I counted that there were 126 pieces of artwork, as well as the 14 framed pictures I posted earlier today – 140 artworks in total. All of this work will eventually go to a designated museum, as my late father requested.
Later in the afternoon, I headed to Cley Churchyard to see Richard's gravestone. I admit I have not been for a while, so it was nice to return on what would have been his 100th birthday and it was a glorious sunny day. The east section of the churchyard is especially beautiful and is surrounded by an old stone wall, wild flowers and mature trees. Birds were singing as I pondered with my memories, back in time to my childhood with my parents, sisters, Richard, family friends and many happy, sunny days.
I then drove to Beach Road in Cley, parked the car up and scanned the cattle fields for wagtails, but none found. I sat at Coastguards for a while to pass the time for a short while, before heading to the Cley NWT visitor centre, where tonight's event would start at 6.30pm. Swallows were skimming across the Eye Field and behind me I watched and heard my first Sandwich Terns this Spring – an idyllic scene.
* * * * *
RAR’s Centenary Evening Reception at Cley NWT
A fabulous meeting of so many amazing people from years gone by,
to celebrate what would have been RAR's 100th birthday today 4th May
2022. The video below includes artworks by RAR, mostly original, but some
prints also (on loan from owners), artifacts and footage of people
attending the event, including well known naturalists, authors,
photographers, birders and NWT staff.
I was amongst the first people to arrive in the car park at 6pm, but I noticed Chris Knights had got there just before me. I sat in the car for a while and then realised guests were being allowed into the venue a little earlier than 6.30pm. The skies opened with very heavy rain showers, so I had to pick my moment to run from the car – couldn't get my hair wet!!!
I had intended on getting here earlier in the day, so that I could take a better video of the exhibition, when less people were around, but I didn't make it until this evening's event, so had to do my best to film all the beautiful paintings on show, with lots of people around – first video below, along with some very short footage after that. There were so many people to catch up with and several lovely people that I didn't know, but who read my blog – it was great to chat with you all. One particular couple told me an amusing story about my father and the HBO – can't remember the man's name, but he said that "we couldn't afford to buy permits in those days" so would arrive at Holme early morning and as soon as they heard my father's scooter engine, they would disappear so they didn't get caught!!! 🤣! So naughty! 😉 So many birders/twitchers did this, it used to infuriate my father! 🤭
A truly
memorable evening, organised by Moss Taylor and assisted by several
others, including Mark Golley, James McCallum (who artistically hung all
the artworks the day before), friends helping to do the Raffle and the
Auction and all the wonderful NWT staff, who catered and served the most
wonderful selection of buffet food and to anyone else I may have missed,
thank you all very much indeed.
This film was taken just as people started to arrive and many more arrived later on
My favourite painting – if this was for sale at auction, I would be the last one bidding! Owned by Moss Taylor, so sadly not ever for sale!
My second favourite painting was a large portrait of a Bonxie in flight and also the wonderful studies of a Pratincole, both of which you can see in my video above
Richard's last motorcycle helmet and goggles, given to Ray Bayfield of Cley in 1977, along with his last motorcycle, a Norton Commando 850cc.
Some of the RAR memorabilia on show
The evening commenced with an introduction from Moss Taylor about Richard life, as there were a few people attending, who didn't know Richard so well as others. Then, several speakers shared their very fond memories of Richard, including Chris Knights who always speaks well, with his usual humour thrown in – he always has people laughing (my late father used to do slide shows with him back in the day). One gentleman (sorry, I can't remember his name), who used to work for the East Anglian Daily Times (for over forty years he told us) told a very emotional story of the short, but profound three years he had known Richard up until his death in 1977, including accompanying him on what would be Richard's last trip to Fair Isle, when he suddenly and unexpectedly became quite ill – the gentleman speaking found it quite difficult to tell us this particular story, but I take my hat off to him completely, as public speaking is my worst fear.
Moss Taylor had asked me a couple of times over the last few months, if I would like to speak this evening. I would have liked to, but I simply couldn't do it, I can waffle on with no issues whatsoever to a handful of people, but any more than that and I'm the exact opposite! I'm actually a very shy person, but it may not always come across that way. When I spoke to Moss on the phone a few days ago, he very kindly said that he would give me or anyone else the opportunity so speak after the other main speakers, so this took the pressure off, but when it came to it, I couldn't do it! I decided to put pen to paper instead and posted all my memories earlier today on my blog here – I can write better than I can speak, although when I'm tired, that may be questionable, as Richard Brooks loves to point out to me at times!
After the wonderful speeches, an Auction and Raffle were held. I was one of several people who wrote a brief memory and signed in Moss Taylor's book "Guardian Spirit of the East Bank: A Celebration of the Life of R.A.Richardson" and this was was one of the items in the auction. I had purchased some raffle tickets earlier in the evening and to my shock won a bottle of "Antech Limoux Tradition Brut"!! I was having a very lucky day, as had won £50 on the Premium Bonds too! I was asked to pull the next winning ticket out of the bag, which was Steve Gantlett, who also won the same bubbly as me – enjoy! Any money made after covering costs, is being donated equally between the NOA and NWT.
Besides the organisers of the event, there were lots of old and new faces here – it was so lovely to see Chris Knights again, Peter Allard and friend, Andy Wilkinson (my ex and good friend, very cheeky and always makes me laugh!) with Justin Lansdell, Geoff & Pat Douglas with their glamourous daughter who I met for the first time, Roger Tidman, James McCallum, Neil
Bostock,
Emma Buck and partner, Lynne P.,nice to see Brian
Bland who I spoke to briefly, Richard Porter, Suzanne C. & Richard W., Tony Marr, Francis Farrow who told me a wonderful little story of my mother, who quote "when she arrived on the East Bank at Cley, everyone knew she was there – she always had lots of gossip" (this was before she married my father)!!! This was so lovely to hear and I would love to chat to Francis again, if you would like to get in touch (email on blog). Talking of gossip: my mother used to date Richard before she met and married my father! I don't know exactly what when wrong, but then I don't think my mother did either when she recalled the story to me long ago! Been there, done that – given up!
Well known author and naturalist Mark Cocker was also there, along with ex NWT Warden Bernard Bishop, also Robina Churchyard (with Moss Taylor),
Simon Cox and many others including one of the speakers who was an author of a book on birds in Essex I think? There was also a very interesting lady speaker at the end, who was the niece of Peggy Meiklejohn, who was another keen birdwatcher from the day. I've also just remembered another very fascinating person and friend of RAR, Elizabeth Forster who was an Ornithologist and my mother told me that Elizabeth worked for the BBC and was also a world famous knitting pattern designer, travelled the world and lived in Wiveton – I think I remember my mother saying that she worked for Elizabeth for a short while, doing typing, short-hand, PA work – see some links here and here.
There was not enough time to look at all the wonderful memorabilia and chat to everyone – the time disappeared so quickly. There were approximately 80 people there and I think they could have had a few hundred, as I had heard that was a "big waiting list", but obviously the NWT could only cater for and allow a maximum number etc. After browsing as much memorabilia as I could, I was reminded of the little cards that my father used to sell at the NOA, they were in packs of five different cards, white cards with black line drawings of birds by RAR – I remember as Assistant Warden (for which I was paid £2.00 for the weekend from my father's own pocket) that it was one of my jobs to pack all these up. I also remembered that I used to hand paint (watercolours) with my sable brushes, some of Richard's cards and these would be sold at a higher price. I was reminded of this when I saw one of these cards this evening in a frame – the owner may well believe it was Richard who painted the card, but alas it wasn't – it was me!
Only a few people got to look at my iPad full of RAR artworks, including Mark G., Andy W. and James Mc. If anyone else would like to look, please get in touch, as I don't know if or when I will get round to putting that many on my blog!!! I was one of the last to leave and got home around 10.40pm. A fabulous evening and I also realised this was my first evening out socially with other people and with no mask since before Covid began!
Huge thanks to Moss Taylor and all involved in organising this fabulous and memorable event!
RAR Centenary Evening Reception Published on the NWT Youtube channel on 25th May 2022
Richard Richardson's headstone this afternoon
East section of St Margaret's Church, Cley
Richard's legacy and memory lives on, along with my dearest parents
So many wonderful happy childhood memories
Spent with so many special, creative and inspiring people
Today, the 4th May 2022 would have been Richard's centenary. It was a tragic loss to all who knew him, when he died prematurely at aged 55 in 1977. I remember my parents being absolutely heartbroken. Richard was my father's closest friend and was part of a network of birders from the "good old days" (mostly before I was born), including Peter Jackson and his wife Ruby & daughters Debbie and Ruth, Paul & Rosemary Kirby, Chris Knights, Geoff Want, Mick Grewcock, Barry Spence, Peter Allard, Michael & Sylvia Seago, Pat and Fred Britton, John Sheldrake, Mick Goodman and the list goes on.
Richard Richardson was a great ornithologist and artist and lived at Cley in Norfolk with Mrs Dee (his landlady) in a terraced cottage next to what was the old post office along Holt Road, just round the corner from the "Picnic Fayre". Richard spent his time birdwatching and painting birds. Many of Richard's paintings were given to friends and these were and still are, very much treasured by all who are lucky enough to own one or more. Richard had a photographic memory and amazing eyesight and was loved by everyone he met, both young and old. He had a magnetic charisma, which drew everyone to him and he had a fantastic sense of humour I recall! I can still hear his chuckle! He was rarely seen without a Woodbine cigarette – I can remember him rolling these – sadly this was to be his downfall, ultimately leading to his death.
I remember travelling to Cley on the back of my father's Vespa Scoter to visit Richard, maybe a couple of times a year. My father was a slow driver and we always got off for a 'bottom' break (as I used to call it) at Burnham Overy Mill, just before the bridge, as the seat on the scooter was not exactly comfortable! I clearly remember arriving at the little terraced cottage where Richard lived and I can see him now, sitting at the table painting with a cigarette in hand. There were always several very yappy Norfolk Terriers racing round the rooms, who belonged to Mrs Dee, his landlady. Richard, my father and I would then walk through the village and to the East Bank, where we would spend the day birdwatching. Later we would return to the cottage for tea and cakes, provided by Mrs Dee! We would then return to Holme. I absolutely loved these trips to Cley.
My parents never had a car, well I lie.... father purchased a 3-wheeler car for a week, reversed it into the garden fence, lost confidence and sold it immediately! As children we never travelled at all really and had to rely on local buses, but mostly our bicycles, so visiting Cley was a huge treat in those days.
Whenever Richard visited us at Holme Bird Observatory, he would always produce three packets of Smarties for my sisters
and I, from the pocket
of his black leather trousers! I remember him wearing a black
beret, black leather trousers and jacket and also a favoured black and white squared
jumper. He drove a Norton motorbike. Both my sisters and I recall, that Richard especially loved my mother's famous chocolate buns she used to make, when he visited our house in Holme.
At Holme Bird Observatory, I recall very happy days with my parents, sisters, Richard Richardson, Peter & Ruby Jackson and daughters Ruth and Debbie. The Jacksons lived in Hertfordshire, but came up here to stay regularly and Richard would always visit when they stayed. Ruby was a very good cook and there was always lots of picnic food being shared around! Peter Jackson smoked a pipe and always wore a Fair Isle hat. I remember Peter and Richard always talking about Fair Isle, they had visited many times it seemed and I particularly recall them talking about the rough passage with "The Good Shepherd" boat and Peter Jackson's distinctive laugh, when ever he talked about the crossing! As a little girl, I dreamed of visiting Fair Isle when I was older and both Richard and Peter J. inspired me to do just that – I have been a few times now! My father never got to visit Fair Isle, which is a pity.
Peter Jackson sadly died many, many years ago, his wife Ruby only died last year, but my sisters and I both still keep in touch with Ruth and Debbie who are similar ages to us. Ruby was always especially close to my mother and was a wonderful lady "a true friend" my mother said and was very supportive to my sisters and I when our parents died. Both Ruth and Debbie came to both our parent's funerals and they still live in Hertfordshire.
Richard made annual trips to Fair Isle in June each year, which he fell in love with and wrote an article in the 'Lynn News and Advertiser' on Friday 9th September 1966, titled 'The Fair Isle Casts its Spell' which he illustrated with a birdwatcher being attacked by a bonxie and the Good Shepherd (boat) rocking in the waves! He was loved by the islanders there and made strong friendships.
It seems so long ago since I went to Richard's funeral at St Margaret's Church in Cley in 1977, I was
12 years old. I remember my sisters Lucy and Vivien were instructed
to sit outside in the church gardens, as my parents felt they were too
young to attend the funeral. I remember the church being packed out with
mourners – every seat was full and people were standing, if I remember correctly. Richard's
headstone is in Cley Churchyard in the section east of the main
churchyard, just across Church Road.
I have several pictures of Richard that I took myself as a child, with my first Kodak Instamatic camera that my father bought for me. These pictures are packed up in boxes somewhere, I need to dig them out! I remember one with Richard sitting in the stripey deckchairs (some of you will remember these) with my little sisters sitting either side of him – all black and white pictures, no colour in those days!
Of note, my parents met on the East Bank at Cley, so this will always be a special place for me. We also laid our father's ashes to rest on the 4th May 2017 – in part because it had been Richard's birthday. So many happy memories of an idyllic childhood, maybe I should write a book?! Some of the things that have gone on in my life, would create a best seller!!!
My father had written his autobiography, which he completed several years before he died, this is yet to be published, another big project that I must get done! He typed it all up on a typewriter and being as I was a typesetter in the print trade for many years, I will enjoy typing all this up.... eventually!
Some of the many paintings and artwork that my sisters and I have inherited since our parents passed away and are destined to be donated to an appropriate museum eventually.
A late evening trip out to Ringstead to see the 6 Dotterel found by Mark Bradberry (who also found them initially on 21st April). I arrived at Green Bank and initially there was no one else here, so I had the huge task of scanning several fields. Shortly after I arrived a car pulled up with three birders, who knew exactly which field to look in and had been told by someone, to look towards St Mary's Church at Holme. The second I scanned this area, I could see what was 99% a Dotterel scurrying along a couple of yards behind a Red-legged Partridge very distantly. Got the scope out of the car and it was indeed! I then shortly found five more. I got the phone scoping kit out, but it was slightly foggy and too far for any half decent footage. Good team work, the people in the car knew the spot, I re-found them and we all enjoyed half a dozen cracking Dotterel at 8pm!
Guardian Spirit of the East Bank, Cley and Salthouse Marshes
Wednesday 4th May 10am-5pm
The Simon Aspinall Wildlife Education Centre Cley NWT
Event: Free
An exhibition of Richard Richardson’s watercolours and a display of the
memorabilia used during the preparation of his biography, Guardian
Spirit of the East Bank by Moss Taylor
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