DISMAY AS RSPB AXES ANNUAL MEMBERS' WEEKEND

Understanding but unhappy - three of the event's attendees

TIME has been called on one  of the most popular events in the UK birding world calendar.

RSPB chiefs have decided to scrap the popular members' weekend that had been held annually for at least the past 40 years.

There were gasps of dismay from delegates when chief executive Mike Clarke dropped the bombshell at what proved to be  the final weekend held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on Friday, Saturday and Sunday..

Bearer of sad tidings - Mike Clarke

He attributed the decision to falling attendances and rising costs which had been depleting charity's  to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds at a time when the charity's finances are likely to come under increasing pressure - not least because it is likely to lose out on precious EU funding after Brexit.

"We have thought long and hard,"he said."We postponed the decision right up to the wire - specifically to the Tuesday before Easter.

"I recognise that, for many people, the event has become part of their lives. We really wanted to make it work.

"But it is not efficient  use of our resources. If we had continued, we risked being left exposed.

"I know it is a big adjustment. A sense of family has always been part of our ethos - it is  ingrained in our DNA."

The chief said the organisation would now explore staging a series of more localised events in various parts of the UK.

However, he cautioned that these would be on a smaller scale. "We won't be able to do all the things that we do now."

Mr Clarke is immensely  popular with staff and members, most of whom were understanding.

There were plaudits that he had been upfront with members and had not hidden behind a press release or a message on social media.

But there were also plenty of anger. Why was a membership organisation so seemingly ready to alienate its members?

Why had no  costings been provided? Why had the event not been better publicised? What alternatives, if any, had been explored?

Manchester attendee Heather Walker expressed the dismay of many when she attended a Q&A session with the chief.

"This has been devastating, "she said. "I am sure many here are very disappointed, not to say angry.

"There has been no consultation with members. Why was there no warning?

"This decision has come from out of  the blue."

Sense of dismay - RSPB members gasped as the announcement was made