This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Leigh Ornithological Society and to cap it all we were given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, which is the equivalent of an MBE for volunteer groups.

To celebrate we are having an Open Day at Leigh Library on Saturday 9th October from 10am until 3pm. At this event the Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester will present the Queen's Award to our Chairman, Mr. David Shallcross.

But there will be much, much more to see including representatives and display stalls from:

* The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)

* Bickershaw Country Park

* Natural England

* Wild Wings Birds of Prey with several live rescued birds

* Every Feather Counts

* Greater Manchester Records Unit

* L.O.S. Young Birders' Club

* Bolton and Bury Swifts

* Lowton Hedgehog Rescue

* Leigh Rotary Club

* Leigh Spinners Mill

* A local Art Club and artists

* Local wildlife photographers

* A local school doing nature-related artwork project

* Pennington Flash Volunteers

* An author of children's nature books

So come and meet the friendly members of Leigh Ornithological Society and find out about what we and other local groups do in the field of nature and conservation in the Leigh and Wigan area.

**Everybody is welcome and please feel free to wear a mask if so desired.*