last updated 2013
'The Archives' in question are actually a set of six photo albums bearing this name, covering the period from autumn 1981 to spring 2008 (see pic). Most of the photo's (though not all) were taken by me over the years and record both the observers at the Bill and the area itself. Back in the early days, I realised that I was never going to make much of a bird photographer; I didn't have the necessary patience and skill and furthermore I only had a rubbish camera! So I decided I would just try to record the changing face of the area and the people who watched there, as no-one seemed to be doing it. As it turned out it was probably a good decision - but anyone who is expecting pin-sharp images better look away now!
'The Archives' in question are actually a set of six photo albums bearing this name, covering the period from autumn 1981 to spring 2008 (see pic). Most of the photo's (though not all) were taken by me over the years and record both the observers at the Bill and the area itself. Back in the early days, I realised that I was never going to make much of a bird photographer; I didn't have the necessary patience and skill and furthermore I only had a rubbish camera! So I decided I would just try to record the changing face of the area and the people who watched there, as no-one seemed to be doing it. As it turned out it was probably a good decision - but anyone who is expecting pin-sharp images better look away now!
I concentrated on taking shots of the people that made up the famous 'Selsey atmosphere' of the time, so amongst the images are several folk who are sadly no longer with us, and of course we all look a lot younger, but if you've made a few visits to Selsey Bill over the years, chances are you'll be included somewhere in at least one of the photos. I plan to scan in selected shots (mostly pre-digital) and include them in this section, adding perhaps one or two a week, so see if they bring back any memories. Those of you that have visited me at home or been to the various Pom parties will no doubt have seen most or all of them before, but many reading this will not have had the chance, so I thought it might be fun to share them. Here goes.....
First up, I've chosen 2007: I thought it would be fitting if we started with a shot of our dearly departed friend the late Barry Carter, who kept the log for many years.
Barry Carter 1948-2007
Then, at the other end of the scale, we have Sam (John Faithfull's dog), left to keep the log as we all dashed along the beach to see something!
'Sam' Faithfull, log-keeper extraordinaire!
Ok, so now you've got the idea...the next images will be from Volume 1 and will feature some of the first photos in The Archives, taken between autumn 1981 and spring 1983. I recall I used a small plastic snapshot camera at the time! Apologies in advance - but due to the old formatting of these pics I could not upload the scanned images, so literally had to photograph the original photos into jpeg, with a big loss of clarity.....still you'd probably not notice with these! I start with the very first photo in the album from autumn 1981; it features (L-to-R) Eric Lloyd, Mervyn Jones, Tony Marr, Mick Hay and Keith Maycock, all sheltering from a south-westerly behind Bill House fence.
This image is fairly well known amongst the regulars and shows four of us with Miss Piggy, relaxing after a long sea-watch in late May 1982 at the old Pontins holiday camp. There was actually a cabaret show that evening featuring a live performance by Bob Monkhouse - and good he was too! Pictured with the pig are (L-to-R): Mervyn Jones, possibly Robert Redford, Chris Janman and Bob Lord (then warden of Pagham Harbour LNR).
An old black and white shot of Barry and Margaret Collins arriving in their minivan, dated spring 1983. I remember once when it broke down and they cycled all the way from their home in Havant to the Bill! Note behind them the fence and noticeboard which declared the football pitch (now 'Oval field') as the private property of Pontins.
This is a study of a slow sea-watch, and features a youthful looking Tim Parmenter (right) on the bench with Mervyn Jones, (note Tim's nice fashionable flares!) It was a bit of a rarity to see Tim at the Bill; not so Mervyn who seems to be in many photos as he was ever-willing to pose for the camera! This dates from early spring 1983.
4th Dec 1982: Charles and Beryl James with their yacht! If I remember correctly they went to check the beach for birds and came back with this toy boat which had been washed up on the shore. Apologies for the blurry and damaged pic, which again is a photo of a photo.
Time to move on to Volume 2, which covers the period from April 1987 to May 1991. This was a period when apart from watching at the Bill, I and my birding mates began travelling around a fair bit so The Archives feature many a photo from various parts of the UK, especially the Scillies which we visited each October, plus Israel and beyond. A small selection of more iffy photos to follow I'm afraid, in no particular order .............
Rarity value...a Selsey twitch! Part of the crowd on 4th Nov 1989 that gathered for the Desert Wheatear, actually the second Selsey record (the first being in Oct/Nov 1960).
In the Bill House Tower Jan 1991. We were allowed to use the tower for sea-watching in inclement weather during the early 1990's by the owners of the time. It was not the easiest spot to watch from due to the small opening windows and thick wooden pillars, especially if quite full, but it was sure a whole lot warmer and drier than being outside. Shown here in action are (L-to-R) Chris Janman, Alan Ford, Barry Carter and Jim Weston. Ah, happy days!
Bill and Ben alias Richard Ives (left) and Bernie Forbes, on a snowy day at the Bill 9th Feb 1991. It was Bernie who first introduced me to sea-watching at the Bill way back in 1972.
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| the late Bob Knight at the Bill, sandwich in hand. |
Portrait of a lovely man. The late Bob Knight was a real gentleman and was famous for his doorstep sandwiches (see pic). Bob had a ready wit and would always be ready with a pun or a one-liner that would have you smiling. He rarely stripped off into 'summer plumage' whatever the weather and this photo dated May 1991 shows him in typical full garb on a warm sunny morning. Sadly Bob was robbed of his mobility in the latter years of his life, but his memory lives on.
Selsey goes to the Scillies. Some of the Selsey faithful usually went to Scilly every autumn during the 1980's-90s. This pic dated 21st Oct 1989 shows six of us doing a last bit of seawatching before departing. Shown (L-to-R) are: Eric Soden, David Baldock, yours truly, Chris Janman, Bernie Forbes and Mervyn Jones.
A fine sunny day on the wall, 2nd May 1990 - a day which produced a good passage including 18 Pom Skuas, lots of Black Terns and a Pied Flycatcher in Bill House garden. As can be seen (despite the poor photo quality) most observers had stripped off into full summer plumage. This was the famous 'barbeque day' when Mervyn cooked the food on his BBQ and served it on the terrace! The pic below shows him in action, whilst Leslie Coley and Dave Sneller enjoy their hotdogs and discuss who has the best sun-hat!
John Bacon under my (in)famous Selsey umbrella, May 1989. This was actually en ex-bookie's umbrella which I acquired in the 1980's and it was well used (as here) for a good few years as a sunshade or more frequently as a shelter from inclement weather, when it could accommodate several people, until it eventually disintegrated. Note my tea-making ensemble and camping stove which fitted neatly into the grass-box nearby (and still sees occasional service to this day). Behind John are the heavy oak gates that gave access to Bill House garden - now long gone, leaving a gap.
A cold sea-watch at the south-east corner, 16th April 1989. One of the highlights of this watch was a flock of 22 Avocets passing east. Against the wall (centre) facing the camera is Eric Soden, whilst amongst the group are Paul and Bridgette James, with Dave Barton in front of them (far right). The gallery also includes several visitors.Well I seem to have flicked through the first two volumes rather more quickly than I intended, so time for Volume 3. This covers the period from 6/1991 to 3/1995, amongst which there are many pics from trips I did to Gambia, Ireland, India and of course the Scilly Isles, plus various twitches, none of which I will include here. I shall concentrate purely on the Bill with this volume. It was a great time, well to me anyway...........
And another rarity..... a young Mark Welfare makes a colourful visit in Spring 1994. Note the rural look that still existed then with vegetation all around and the un-metalled road surface at the entrance to the Grafton Road parking area.
"Hampshire Hogs". John Faithfull (above, with Jim Weston looking on) and John Brame (below) were part of the regular group of Hants birders who watched at the Bill. These shots date from spring 1992, but both can still be expected to appear each spring even now, to varying degrees. JF has never held the Pom title despite trying hard (unfortunately his birthday falls on 1st May and over-celebrating has cost him dear), whilst JB holds one title and the current record for most Poms seen in a season (103). (See the Pom King page for more details).
Spring gallery 1992. Another year, another gathering on the wall on a fine, sunny May morning.
Beryl and the late Charles James, at the Bill-tip autumn 1993. They were regulars at Selsey in the early days from 1959 onwards, and enjoyed the days of the Selsey hut and the Observatory. Beryl still attends to this day, 2013 being her 54th consecutive year of observations.
The late, great Peter LeBrocq (foreground) arrives for an evening sea-watch, spring 1992. Peter was a legend and one of the old school, being famous for an in-depth knowledge, the ability to chat endlessly and his huge binoculars (known as 'LeBrocqulars'). He was also not strong on arriving before afternoon! Here he is seen in full plumage as he usually was; note also the LeBroculars on a tripod and another set in his hand.
Peter LeBrocq again in action, this time at the south-east corner, May 10th 1994. This was a day of perfect conditions but the birding was rather slow - although eventually we saw 4 Pom's, 2 Serins and a Little Ringed Plover. I recall that I composed a poem entitled 'it was May 10th near the Bill House' and drove everyone mad reciting it during the frequent quiet times!
Another view of the gallery, with Beryl James standing at the rear. Next to her (in shorts) is Dave Smith; as one of the Worthing boys poor old Dave used to take a fair bit of stick sometimes, but it was all in fun. Below Dave is Mervyn in his typically relaxed mode; note also the grassbox tea-making kit in the foreground.
The famous 'Rabble Rovers' football match, 1st May 1993. The gang pose in front of the goal on the old Pontins pitch (now the Oval field), after sea-watching was abandoned due to thick fog all morning. Mervyn's son popped home to get a football and we began an impromptu football match. A team photo was called for after the game - I can't remember the name of the tall guy at the back, but the rest (L-to-R) are: John Brame, Leslie Coley, Barry Carter, Mervyn Jones, Jim Weston, Merv's son Martin and Chris Janman.
No room for scope! They're all here for Pom week again, May 1994. Lots of old faces in the line-up, with Martin Casemore just arriving.
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