Warm tribute to Bill Oddie from local bird seed firm that knew him as a friend for more than two decades

                                                       

Bill Oddie - 'mixture of  knowledge, curiosity, humour and mischief' (photo: Haith's)

Bill Oddie was a long-term ambassador for Haith's Bird Seeds, a firm which was founded in  Cleethorpes, then transferred to Europarc outside Grimsby but is now located on the Fairfield Industrial Estate in Louth. Below is its tribute to a man whom Haith's always regarded as a 'friend'. 

Bill worked alongside Haith’s for more than two decades, initially as our resident bird expert and through the creation of Bill Oddie’s Bird Food Recipes. 

What began as a professional relationship grew into something much more personal. Bill became a true friend of Haith’s, its directors, their families and the wider team.

He brought an extraordinary mixture of knowledge, curiosity, humour and mischief to everything he did. 

Bill never simply told people the name of a bird. He helped them notice its character, understand its behaviour and feel that the natural world was somewhere they belonged.

Through his work with Haith’s, Bill shared bird-feeding advice, wrote about the wildlife in his own garden, answered questions from bird lovers and helped us encourage more people to look after the birds around their homes, all year round. 

His name appeared on Haith’s bird food, but his contribution went far beyond the packaging. He brought the food, the birds and the reasons for caring about them to life.

Bill could certainly keep us on our toes. His wit was as quick as his birding knowledge was deep, and few people could make nature feel so accessible, entertaining and important at the same time.

Although Bill had taken a less active public role with Haith’s during the past ten years, our friendship never ended. We remained in contact and continued to send his regular bird-food order. 

It meant a great deal to us that the relationship endured long after the cameras, events and campaigns became less frequent.

Bill helped generations of people stop, look and listen. He showed that birds were not simply species on a list, but individuals with habits, personalities, dramas and stories unfolding all around us.

He once told us that he thought some birdwatchers considered feeding birds beneath them. Bill never did. He understood that feeding birds could bring people closer to nature, deepen their curiosity and help them care more about the wildlife around them. 

Whether he was speaking or writing, he had a way with words, and his humour made birds and their behaviour come vividly to life.

We will remember him with enormous affection and gratitude.

Everyone at Haith’s sends their love and deepest condolences to Bill’s wife, Laura, his daughters and all his family and friends.

Our thoughts are also with David Foster, Bill’s agent and friend, and everyone who worked closely with him over the years. We will respect the family’s request for privacy at this very sad time.

Thank you, Bill, for your friendship, your humour and everything you did for birds and the natural world.

You will be greatly missed. 

In the weeks and months ahead, we will share some of our wonderful memories of the time we spent with Bill. 

Today, though, we simply want to say: 'We will miss you, Bill.'

* See also previous blog.

                                        

Bill will be remembered with 'enormous affection and gratitude' (photo: Haith's)