Charnwood Parrot Club is a place where Parrots can bring their owners to instruct them in the ways of looking after them properly and meet other owners and have a good chinwag because that’s what humans appear to enjoy the most!
It was set up by two women, who own or did own, two independent Pet Shops that specialise in the care of us just over 2 years ago. During that time we, (my avian family and I), have made many friends and our owners have definitely taken on board the “Health and Wellbeing” guidance that the committee have offered over this time. We now get much better grub and have the correct amount of vitamins and minerals just like the owners make sure they give themselves.
Once every four weeks we are transported to a divine place, well it’s a change from the four walls! It’s at the Co-operative Sports & Social Club in Birstall, Leicestershire. We get there about 8pm as the day is drawing to a close and leave supposedly at 10pm, but these humans are always nattering and the poor chap (Gordon) who runs this place is always having to wait for them to leave. Funny thing is, he talks as much as the owners and causes them to be even later sometimes. There was a time when the air was not too fresh. This was due to these humans setting fire to white sticks, which they held, not in their hands so much as in their mouths. Quite extraordinary we thought, but they seemed to enjoy it. Anyway this appears to have stopped, but people do seem to go outside more than they did. I wonder if the two instances are connected?
During this period of delightful freedom, we meet lots of our avian relatives. Actually we have a natter too and boy can we out do the humans on volume!! Sometimes we go for a walk to meet other parrots and their owners and check out what their accommodation for the evening is like. Sometimes the leaders put on the TV, actually it’s a really big picture that covers nearly the whole wall and then they switch the lights off. It’s at this point when one gets homesick for ones own lounge and TV, but we can still climb down and sit on our beloved owners shoulder and watch the program with them. They showed a film on how to train us not long ago, but we showed them who’s boss and made them carry on for a bit before we gave in and did what they wanted, after all they do enjoy it!
Every now and then they have a ‘playtime’ for themselves (the humans that is) I think they call it a party. There are always lots for them to eat and drink and one of the pet shop owners (Lynda) always remembers us and bakes some sort of cake as a treat. I do wish my owner would do this at home more often they really are rather good. I must say that they are a friendly bunch these parrot owners and they are always laughing, if not at each other, then they always find what we do amusing.
Some time ago there was a threat to the continuation of these trips out. I think someone had the Flu. I know they were talking about it all the time with lots of information and papers flying about. It was great fun to chew these up, but they (the owners) didn’t seem to appreciate this.
One thing I do remember is a time when I got a bit worried. They had an auction. I gathered this was an event when we parrot-likes change owners. I wasn’t too keen on this as I quite like the ones I’ve got, sort of become used to their funny little ways. Anyway, I was relieved when off they went without me. I did hear that some birds did get sold and that as usual the humans had a really good time. You could tell it on their little faces when they returned home.
Another thing I like about this ‘club’ is the fact that I get a bit spoilt, because the lady (Lynda) who used to own a Pet Shop in Loughborough (I think it was called Pets Paradise) always brings along toys, treats, food, vitamins etc etc. and if my claws are getting a bit too long then someone cuts them for me. Why they bother using a towel I really don’t know. I only give them a little nip in fun! However, sometimes when the towel comes out, I’ve noticed that I have difficulty in flying afterwards. Whether they have missed my claws and caught my wing feathers by mistake I don’t know, but anyway I just rely upon my owners to get me to where I want to go; they’re very obliging.
Well I think I’ve told you as much as I can remember and I have missed a few occasions so I might have missed something really good. So why don’t you get your owner to bring you along one night. I know you will enjoy it and there’s a fair chance they will too, especially when they find out you can drink brown water. Why they like it I really don’t know as it’s quite bitter, but drink it they do – by the pint!!!
‘Bingo’ the Blue & Gold Macaw via Alison Hazlewood – my obliging owner!