It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that my long time great friend Brian Mepham passed away in hospital on Sunday the 2nd of December, aged 85.

Brian was a founder member of Hastings Budgerigar Society in 1981 and he held many positions over the years. He was elected President in 1988 and held that position until the present day.

Brian started keeping Budgerigars and Foreign birds in 1970 and soon joined many clubs in particular Hastings and St Leonards Cage Bird Society, where he was a mainstay of the Committee and held many positions in the club until unfortunately it closed like many Cage Bird Society's have. His wife Marie was always there supporting Brian helping in the local clubs.

He joined the London and Southern Budgerigar Society in 1973 and was a Life Member. He joined the Budgerigar Society in 1989.

His interest in birds were keeping, breeding, and understanding all aspects of bird keeping as well as the social side of the hobby rather than showing, but he always supported local clubs by entering birds and helping at the shows. He was particularly good at Budgerigar Genetics and gave talks on the subject. With his great knowledge he was always happy to, and indeed enjoyed, helping others in our hobby.

Brian enjoyed great friendship with many Budgie men around the country including Harry Bryan who he regularly visited.

We enjoyed a lot of banter and fun together, going to many Shows in this country and abroad, as well as many aviary visits to top breeders around the country.

Brian was known as a gentleman of our hobby and was greatly respected.

Brian will be sadly missed, on behalf of myself and Hastings Budgerigar Society we send our deepest sympathy to his wife Marie, daughter Debbie, son Andy and all the family.

RIP Brian, thanks for the memories.

Ian Standley