President – Vacant Post
In the absence of a President, the Committee will be managing the club as a group.
Founder Member – Malcolm Palmer
Malcolm has lived in Spain since 1993 based originally in Santa Pola, he now resides in San Vicente del Raspeig with his wife Juani. He writes a bird-related article for the Costa Blanca News on a weekly basis. Malcolm is the author of three bird guides to Spain, and co-author of a book on the Island of Tabarca. He has been interested in birds all his life, and his knowledge of the avifauna of the Costa Blanca region is second to none making him an extremely valued committee member.
Secretary/Website Admin. – Mary Brazier
Mary and her husband John came to Spain in 2005 and started to take an interest in the local wildlife, after reading the late Brian Conduit’s nature articles in ‘The Jungle Drums’ magazine. They met Brian in the hide at El Clot, joined the CBBC, and started to learn more about the local birds. In England Mary worked as an Internal Auditor in the Civil Service and later for The Post Office. Various roles in the NHS followed, mainly concerned with the provision of information for patients. Mary and John have now returned to the UK to live in Northumberland but Mary is still involved with the CBBC and hopes to get over to Spain often.
Treasurer – Greta Owen
I spent all my working life in the Dairy Trade after studying Physics, Chemistry, Microbiology and Dairying at Cannington Agriculture College in Bridgwater and then worked for several years in the laboratory for a national UK dairy company, before co-owning the largest independent dairy in the Southwest of England. After “retiring” I worked for a smaller dairy company, in their office before coming to live in Spain. I have always been interested in wildlife in general but especially birds, rising before dawn and going to look for them, but I only got into photographing them after joining the CBBC.
Committee Member – Paul Dando
After retiring from working in sales for 50 years I decided to relocate. I have always been interested in wildlife and birds in particular, even more so since moving to Spain and joining the Costa Blanca Bird Club.
Committee Member – Kathy Dowsett
I have had a lifelong interest in every aspect of wildlife but my interest in birds increased after I met my husband Robert and we began to go birdwatching on a regular basis. We have traveled extensively, preferring holidays focused on seeking out birds in many countries rather than spending our time on a beach. After a long career in teaching I retired early so we could escape the British climate and relocate to Spain. The Costa Blanca Bird Club has helped us continue our hobby and make friends with like minded people.
Committee Member – Barry Chambers
Barry retired early to live in Rojales on the Costa Blanca with his wife Carol in March 2006, having spent the previous 25 years working in a Day Centre with Adults with Learning Disabilities where he was Deputy Manager. Barry was Vice Chairman of the Local Natural History Society for more than 20 years in Essex, has been a keen bird watcher since his school days and has continued his passion since moving to the Costa Blanca.
Committee Member – David Roe
David spent most of his working life in the UK in sales, being employed by some large and not so large manufacturers and suppliers of medical products. In the autumn of 1999, he decided that he couldn’t stand the British weather any longer and moved to Spain, where he is now happily retired. David has been an enthusiastic birdwatcher since his late teens, still doesn’t consider himself to be an expert, but has got a lot better since he joined the Costa Blanca Bird Club.
Committee Member – Gary Partida
I have loved wildlife and nature since a very early age and grew up in the quiet Northamptonshire countryside. All my working life was spent in Engineering where I performed planning roles for companies in the Energy and Formula 1 sectors. I took a more active interest in birdwatching after meeting my wife Jo, who had previously worked at a Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, and we enjoyed many trips across the UK, visiting nature and bird reserves together. When we retired to the Costa Blanca in 2022, we joined the Costa Blanca Bird Club and, as well as learning so much and seeing new bird species, we have also made some lovely friends.