The Wryneck: WHO PULLED THE TRIGGER ON MUCH-LOVED BIRDFAIR FOUNDER

Tim Appleton - services no longer required

MYSTERY continues to surround the shock departure from Birdfair of its much-respected founder and manager, Tim Appleton MBE.

Over his past years 31 years' supervision of the famous Rutland Water event, Mr Appleton has become to birders what the late Patrick Moore was to astronomers - a legend.

Probably his last announcement as Birdfair chief was a reluctant one - on April 7, he said the plug would have to be pulled on this year’s event in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

But within a space of less than two months, the plug had also been pulled on him - or at least on his role as manager of the globally-famous event.

His involvement was at an end.

The shock revelation came not through any formal announcement - more of a leak in an interview he gave to broadcaster-naturalist David Lindo, the self-styled Urban Birder, on May 31.

Interviewer David Lindo - currently in Spain

He said he was "pretty gutted" to be shown the exit door but, for reasons that he declined to divulge, it had become "impossible" for him to continue.

Since then, Mr Appleton has made no further public comment.

Nor have his erstwhile employers, the umbrella body for Birdfair - the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

In the resulting information vacuum, rumours have inevitably flown thick and fast - around the world and back again.

Was there a row over Mr Appleton's salary? Was his management style deemed too laid-back for these more corporate times? Was he devoting insufficient time to the job in favour of other pursuits? Had he allowed aspects of Birdfair to fall prey to the politicking of pressure groups such as Wild Justice, run by his friends, broadcaster Chris Packham and campaigning blogger Mark Avery?

Had there been a personality clash with the Trust’s recently appointed chief executive, Tim Graham, or its clarinet-playing chairman, Andrew Cotton. Or was it felt he was now past his prime and a fresh face (or faces) would benefit Birdfair in these youth-at-all-cost times?

Quite likely all these rumours are well wide of the mark, but, pending clarification either from Mr Appleton or the Trust, speculation will remain rife.

Normally, in these sorts of situations (think sacked football club managers), a statement mutually agreeable to both parties is agreed, then released.

Northern shoveler - Mr Appleton's favourite bird

But as of start-of-play today nothing had been published on the websites either of Birdfair or of the Trust.

Nor has Mr Appleton taken to social media.

In a bizarre twist, the history of Birdfar has been removed, at least temporarily, from its website while it is being rewritten - is this in order to downplay its founder's vital involvement?

Most extraordinary of all, not a word of thanks to Mr Appleton has been expressed publicly either by the Trust corporately or, individually, by any of its board of management.

What next? The Birdfair team has stated its intention to stage a 'virtual' Birdfair next month, but, given the importance of social interaction to the success of previous fairs, might this be a mistake?

In the meantime, Mr Appleton is working on at least one other major project but is keeping it under wraps until later in the year.

As he teasingly told David Lindo: "Mum's the word."

What might that project be? After 30 years at the helm of Birdfair, its founder's contacts book is bulging and his organisational expertise is second to none.

Could it just be that, come 2021, Birdfair will have a competitor event?

Time will tell.

David Lindo's interview with Tim Appleton can be viewed at:

https://theurbanbirderworld.com/tours/tim-appleton-may-2020/

Below - flashback to last year's Birdfair

The queue lengthens just before the start of play on the opening day

The weather (and conditions) could have been kinder, but that didn't detract from a brilliant Birdfair - held, as always, at Rutland Water. Above and below are some of those (including the great and the good) who attended.