It was with much sadness that we learned of the death of Keith Noble on 11th January 2025. He had a gift for imparting knowledge with a gentle enthusiasm, whether it concerned rarities which had shown up at Llangorse Lake or the life cycle of nomad bees living in his garden in Brecon.
As a member of the London Natural History Society Keith spent a lot of time recording birds at Rainham Marshes in the late 1960s-1970s. His records helped to track the cleaning of the River Thames which eventually led to the setting up of the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes – now a haven for waders, wintering Short-eared Owls and Water Voles. Keith started work with the RSPB as Education Officer at The Lodge, Sandy in Bedfordshire preparing material for schools and running school film shows. In 1976 he married his wife Alison and they moved to Sussex and the RSPB’s Brighton Office where Keith’s responsibilities included film shows. I certainly remember going to see them in the Swansea Brangwyn Hall as a child. When the films were discontinued Keith took on work promoting birdwatching to the general public such as the Peregrine CCTV on Chichester Cathedral, one of the first such relays which generated huge public interest.
After retiring to Wales in 2007 Keith became an active member of the Brecknock Wildlife Trust, serving as a Trustee for 6 years including a stint as Chair. As Brecknock County Recorder for dragonflies, in 2022 he was instrumental in seeing Llangorse Lake established as the first Dragonfly Hotspot in Wales, with a star turn highlighting this achievement on the BBC’s Countryfile programme.
He joined the Welsh Ornithological Society (WOS) Council as a Trustee in 2015, playing a pivotal role along with Alison in organising the WOS Annual Conference – a role he continued even after stepping down from Council in 2020.
In May 2022 he joined a small WOS team at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show’s Spring Festival in Llanelwedd, listening to and encouraging local birdwatchers.
A keen photographer, Keith gave hundreds of illustrated talks to audiences varying from local gardening groups to public meetings. He never made any personal gain from them but liked to ask for £1.00 per head as a donation to the Wildlife Trust. Alongside this he managed to find time to take on being Director of the Biodiversity Information Service for Powys and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, a member of the Advisory Group for Llangorse Lake and a member of Brecon Swift Group.
Keith was born in South Woodford, London. When he was 8 the family moved to a new build house in Essex with fields behind the house. Keith would climb over the fence and explore the fields – full of wild flowers, butterflies and birds. He never stopped exploring!
Clare Ryland / Welsh Ornithological Society
