http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/East...lker-dies-85/story-22876069-detail/story.html FOR 40 years her she was as much part of East Park's landscape as the trees and the ponds it is home to. Loved by many â and even feared by some â every day Phyllis Walker could be found surrounded by the birds, feeding them from bags of bread she bought with the little money she had. But, following her death at the age of 85 on Tuesday, the park is destined to be a very different place without her. Known affectionately by visitors to city's the beauty spot as the "Bird Lady", few knew much about Phyllis' life â and the sadness that was woven through it. One who did was close friend and East Park warden Stuart Macdonald. He said: "She had a hard life but she was a tough old thing and was happiest when she was feeding the birds. "That was her life, every day she would be down at the park, even on Christmas Day, whether it was chucking it down with rain, she would come with her wellies on and her head scarf and feed them. "She would come down the entrance on her bike and the geese would come flocking in the air towards her and down by her feet. "I haven't seen the birds do it since." One of eight children, Phyllis was born and grew up in Weel, near Beverley. The family lived in a near-condemned cottage in Carr Lane, before moving to another property in Weel when the cottages were demolished. Phyllis, then aged 35, worked in a Beverley launderette and started courting a soldier. She fell pregnant to the man, whose identity is not known, and moved to Hull, where she brought up her daughter Lesley Walker, now 50, alone. A single mother and unable to work, money in the household was tight but Phyllis, described by her nephew David Smith as "self-sufficient" and "strong", did not ask for help. David, 58, who now lives in London, said: "She had the baby and left home. In those days, being unmarried and having a baby wasn't the done thing, so she moved, first to Anlaby Road and then to Beverley Road. "After that, she started living in the pre-fabs in east Hull and ended up living in one in Highland Road, just off Holderness Road. "She brought her daughter up on her own. "She was a self-sufficient person. She was fearless and spoke her mind to anyone she met, especially if anyone was doing anything that might harm her birds. She would give them a good telling off. "Her main interest in life was animals, hence why she became the feeder of the birds in East Park. "They were her friends, that was her life." Phyllis missed her country life and found great comfort in visiting the park and its birds. It was there, she met Stuart, known as Mac, who became a firm friend until the end of her days. He showed the strength of their friendship when, in 2007, she was knocked off her bike and over a barrier by a bus in Holderness Road. She was hospitalised for days and never fully recovered from the shock. Her eyesight declined, as did her mental health, and, before long, she had left her house and was living in Nicholson Care Home in Marfleet Lane, east Hull. But Stuart stayed by her side and in constant touch with David about his aunt's health. Throughout the ordeal, Stuart admired her strength â something that was always apparent to anyone who met Phyllis, especially irresponsible dog walkers. "She would give them what for if anyone let their dogs off the lead near her birds," said Stuart. "Everyone knew her, they put up with her language too if there were any dogs chasing her geese and if any of the birds got grumpy she would hit them with her handbag. "She didn't hold back for anyone. "She was a remarkable woman, a real character and she will be very sadly missed." Kim Thurston, the deputy manager at Nicholson House, said: "Although Phyllis was in the advanced stages of dementia, she maintained her cheeky character. "She was fun-loving and loved banter. "She never lost her love for animals, visiting the park when we could. We will miss her greatly." The funeral date has yet to be confirmed but it is hoped the wake will be held at the East Park café and the hearse will take Phyllis on one last trip around the park. Remember her myself when i used to live down Portobello.
Touching story. Hope someone in the community organizes a plaque for her on a park bench. Defiinitely worth some sort of memorial gesture.
Thx for posting that Chazz. I'm sure everyone, & the birds, who "ran" into her will miss her (& her handbag)!. RIP Phyllis.
Birds spread bugs and virus, feeding them is not a good idea. she may well have been a nice lady but a stupid one
