| Location | Leeds |
| Age | 64 years |
| Date of Birth | 1942 |
| Date of Death | 2006 |
| Visitors | 1,633 since 06/09/2006 |
| Creator |
Avril, 64, of Edgeware Mount, Harehills, Leeds was a lifelong campaigner against animal cruelty.
She was divorced and did not have children. She lived with her beloved parrots. All 10 of them resided in cages in her front room.
Avril, who ran her own business as a theatrical agent, led a campaign to close the Living World Pet Shop in Armley, after the former owners were found guilty of cruelty to pets.
After collecting colourful parrot feathers she travelled to North American Indian tribe to hand them over. When there, she was treated like a queen.
Lifelong friend Eileen Cole, her bird breeding partner, said: "Avril was a very kind and a lovely person. She was all for the parrots who were the love of her life. She thought more of them than people. We had worked together for years breeding birds. She could be very direct but you always knew where you stood with her. She was a true friend."
Avril was a friend and volunteer for the RSPCA, and often fostered parrots or birds when they were found abandoned or lost. She was a member of the World Parrot Trust and wrote for parrot and bird magazines .
Schools
Avril would visit schools and museums giving displays with her colourful birds. She also regularly appeared on radio and television with her favourite parrot Dotty, a green-winged Macaw.
Another lifelong friend, Maureen Howie, said: "She was very funny and entertaining and also very caring, She would do anything for you. The world will be a less colourful place without her."
Avril fell ill last December with liver failure. She died in St James's Hospital on Sunday 3rd September 2006.
There will not be a funeral as Avril opted to donate her body to medical science. A party to celebrate her life is being planned for later in the year.
BY: alison.bellamy@ypn.co.uk
5 YEARS
Hi Avril
well its 5 years since you passed over and Dottie still looks up when I ask her where you are... Bless you Avril. wait for me in spritual world want you
your friend
Robert
HELLO
Hi Avril
Just thought we would say HELLO me Robert, Dottie, Bunty, Oliver,George,Lilly,and Charlie We often talk to you and think of you...
Bless you Avril
Love us all
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
My Friend
Well Avril its been 2 years since you passed over not a day goes by that I dont think of you I am sure that you are there in the spritual world looking afer all my Parrots and me. Dottie and the rest sent they love to you Bless you Avril WE will meet again in the sprituel world that I am sure of............Robert
well u have gone now sadley i hope u have your very own parrot world up in heaven and i hope u are well and getting drunk with all the other famours ppl love ya avirl sweet
BEEN 1 YEAR
Well Avril it’s been 1 year since you passed away and went to the spiritual world. Dottie has never forgotten you when I ask her were you are. She looks up in heaven...That just proves that there is a spiritual world... Bless you Avril we will never forget you
XXXXXXXX
SADLEY MISSED
A REAL CHARECTER,SHE SAID WHAT WAS ON HE MIND,AND YOU KNEW WHERE YOU STOOD WITH HER,BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY SHE WAS A TRUE FRIEND,I HAD DO MANY LAUGHS WITH AVRIL,I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME SHE GOT HER PC AND COULDNT WORK IT, ISPENT HOURS TRYING TO GET IT GOING ONLY TO FIND OUT SHE HADNT CONNECTED THE PHONE LINE LOL,GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS X
Avril was a friend who was always there when needed, and often when not - a quirk, not a fault! She would often listen, and always had an opinion; I'll miss the banter.She was a very strong person who, like me wasn't afraid to ruffle more feathers than she could ever collect for her adopted tribe in South America. She gave me lots of feedback regarding my show ideas, and plans abroad. Thinking of you every time we create a feather number. Goodnight. All my Love. xxxx
sadly missed
Avril was agood friend to me, we used to shop together, and she could always get the better bargain. A very strong woman whom i admired very much, it was a great shock when i was told by Billie, we always think that people like Avril go on for ever. For those that don`t know she had a title " Lady Avril Barton of Featherstone" ( she bought it on the internet for a laugh) Avril made me laugh and more importantly work. While other agents tried to book the cheapest acts, Avril only booked professionals. I`m sure she now she has gained her own flying feathers
Avril
Dear Avril we go back almost 30 years and were friends for 20 of them, what went wrong! we lost touch the phone calls stopped . i often thought of you with your peke's and parrots and your never ending diets. you were 1 of a kind , we were a good team in the beginning you left the university kitchens and went into the entertainment business all through the chance meeting of myself and my puppy sam when we doing a show at the New Penny in Leeds. my puppy sam had an accident on stairs at the Penny and you looked after him for several weeks while i was touring Wales, this was the start of our friendship, you will be sadly missed by many
billie
A true and dear friend.
We had many happy times together enjoying our shared love of parrots. The birds were her family and their needs always came first. She also worked tirelessly for conservation by raising money for various projects. Her loss has left a great emptiness for all her many friends.
Miss your calls Avril, With love
Eileen
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