DAVE STANDRING

Dave Standring in 2014 (photo Alan Archer)

It is with great sadness that today saw the death of David J Standring (DJS).
Dave, as he was known to everyone started his long birding career as a teenager back in 1950s Barnsley. He joined up with Mike Clegg, Alan Archer, Colin Bower and Geoff Ainsley who were the only other local birders around at that time and between them they sought out and explored many of the local places that have since become famous for birding such as Wath Ings (now the fantastic Old Moor RSPB reserve) and Wintersett Reservoir (to name just two).
      After meeting Philip Wordsworth, the two of them published the first modern checklist to the birds of Barnsley in the late 60s and in 1969 they formed 'Barnsley and District Bird Study Group' with Dave as recorder. From 1970 they began publishing an annual bird report which formed the bedrock of all we know about Barnsleys birdlife today.
       I first met Dave in 1972 whilst still a schoolboy and with a growing interest in birds developing after collecting their eggs (most birders of my generation gained their interest this way). I could not have met a friendlier or more enthusiastic birder, it was infectious and helped turn an interest into a passion. Regular weekend trips with Dave on the bus (he never learned to drive) to Wintersett, Wath or the Moors was a sound 'birding apprenticeship' with Dave not only happy to share his hard earned knowledge but to make the day fun as well.
       A joiner by trade, he brought his skills to birding as well. The first sea-watching hut at Spurn was built by Dave in the 1960s and the first hide at Wath Ings (now the Bittern monitoring hide) was erected at the new reserve in the mid 70s after Dave built it in his mothers back yard.
      In the 1980s, Dave and his wife Maureen became one of the first birders to venture into caravan ownership at Sandy Beaches at the famous Spurn Point. Along with their two children, Chris and Julie (and their various dogs) they spent many happy weeks and weekends here, owning a caravan on the site until the end of 2016. Any birder passing by their caravan was always invited in for a chat, a cuppa and if you were lucky a slice of Maureen's superb cake.
      It wasn't just birds and birding that 'did it' for Dave. Coins were a passion and his ability to spot a bargain or a rarity were well known. Wax seals were another of his things as was local history. And he didn't just take a passing interest in these things, as with birding he knew his subject well.
      I mentioned Dave was a joiner, but not just 'a joiner'. The term 'master craftsman' could have been invented for him. He spent all his working career at Goodyears in Barnsley and was widely acknowledged as the top craftsman there and the best in Barnsley! Anyone who saw the quality stuff he produced can vouch for this and a lovely oak jewelry box he made for my wife still has pride of place on her dressing table (still no jewelry in it though).
      Today I lost a good friend, my birding mentor and Barnsley lost a legend!
Thanks for the good times, they were many.

Graham Speight, Friday 23rd March 2018.