A BIRDWATCHING conservationist group celebrated their 50th Anniversary earlier this month, presented with the Queen's Award for voluntary service.
Leigh Ornithological Society (LOS) are made up of a group of volunteers who study and record birds in the area and assist in their conservation, as well as maintaining and managing local wildlife to ensure the survival of certain species.
With the pandemic posing difficulties for the group to meet up and continue their work over the past 18 months, the Anniversary was finally celebrated at an Open Day at Leigh Library on Saturday, October 9.
With fascinating exhibits on show for people of all ages - including live birds, local artwork and a children's book writer and workshops - the Open Day was deemed a great success.
The group was presented with the Queens Award by Deputy Lieutenant of Manchester, Steve McGuirk, in front of a full crowd of members, friends and dignitaries including Leigh MP James Grundy, Bolton West MP Chris Green, and the Mayor of Wigan, Yvonne Klieve.
Stating the group are "much more than an ornithological society", Mr McGuirk commended their historic role in environmental conservation over the past fifty years.
On receiving the award, LOS chairman Mr Shallcross paid tribute to the "hardworking committee and officers, valued members, volunteers past and present [...] the society's founders in 1971 and the pioneer naturalists as far back as 1938."
While a sentimental atmosphere inevitably arose as the group looked back on their fifty year history, they were reminded that perhaps a more significant period lies ahead, in what they will leave and conserve for future generations.
With this in mind, members were encourages to use their votes, influence and standing to protect local green spaces in Leigh and the surrounding areas, which will be vital in securing the survival of certain species.
LOS member, Paul Richardson, said: " We are so grateful to everyone who gave their time to make the event such a success.
"It was an unforgettable day in so many ways [...] and helped to give us all a sense of hope and a new resolve to value, record and conserve our remarkably diverse local environment."
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