Neil Bucknell Neil Bucknell served on the Ornithological Affairs Committee of the BOU between 1994 and 1997, in which year he was also elected Honorary Secretary to the Union. He served in that capacity until 2006. Although factually correct, this bald statement is woefully inadequate in describing the significance of Neil's contribution to the success, indeed very survival, of the BOU. Neil took over as Hon. Secretary at a time when it was becoming clear that the organization of the BOU, the way it related to the scientific and non-scientific ornithological communities, and its arrangements for publishing Ibis, were becoming inadequate in a rapidly changing world with even more-rapidly changing expectations. Furthermore, the Union was becoming exposed financially to new sources of risk and Neil saw that if comprehensive reorganization of the Union was not effected rapidly, it was unlikely to survive into the 21st century. With the award of the Union Medal, the BOU wishes to recognize Neil's contribution to the Union and ornithology, and especially for his wise guidance through uncharted and potentially perilous waters during a time of significant transition. Working closely with the BOU President, Neil played a key role in the appointment of the BOU's first full-time Administrator, effectively acting as his day-to-day line manager for the first year, and of the new Editor for Ibis, whose own suggestions for change (electronic publication, online early, etc.) he supported most constructively. It is without doubt a tribute both to Neil's skill as a manager behind the scenes and to the self-effacing way in which he wears his achievements that most members are unaware either of the situation that the Union found itself in in the late 1990s or of his role in bringing about the BOU's transformation. Neil became interested in birds when still a child, and joined the BTO while at Cambridge University, where he read law. Having returned to his native Berkshire he became a leading light in that county's ornithology, serving as Wildfowl Count (later WeBS) organizer for 20 years, and on the Berkshire Atlas Group (now BBAG). He served as Chair (1995–1998) of the Reading Ornithological Club during the critical time that it became the Berkshire Ornithological Club (BOC), a change that caused considerable angst for some members. This transition was surely eased by the fact that Neil is a natural peacekeeper. Neil took the Chair again from 2006 to 2009, and became President in 2012. He chairs the publication committee of the BBAG steering group, which is publishing a second edition of The Birds of Berkshire incorporating the results of the 2007–2011 atlas project. Neil was elected Hon. Secretary of the BTO in 2011, and has served as a board member of Reading College of Art and Technology and (after its amalgamation) Thames Valley University. Neil joined the BOU in 1990 on the recommendation of a friend. One of Neil's great qualities is that while he is himself an amateur ornithologist, he understands in detail how scientific ornithology works. He is a solicitor by profession with a particular interest in planning matters, and his legal expertise was invaluable to the Union during negotiations over the publication of Ibis, not least for his knowledge of contracts. In many different areas, the Union benefited enormously from the knowledge and skill of its Honorary Secretary throughout this time. Neil Bucknell was an excellent Hon. Secretary for the BOU, his legal knowledge was critically important to the Union at a sensitive time, he was instrumental in guiding significant change, and he could always be relied upon for sound advice within Council of the BOU, but this fails to express the character of the man. To work with Neil on a problem, however seemingly insuperable, is simply a joy. Neil approaches every problem with a sense that there will be a solution, and that with a little application we shall find it. It is typical of Neil that in describing the challenges of steering the BOU away from the rocks he said ‘well, it was all rather fun really’. If there were more Neil Bucknells in the world, it would simply be a better and more pleasant place to be.