IN THE early 1950s, it became evident to many Bengalese exhibitors that it was almost impossible to get in the cards at shows, as Bengalese normally competed in the same classes as more colourful waxbills. After consultation between Bengalese breeders, it was decided to try and form a dedicated society. In the autumn of 1954, about a dozen people met at a large disused cinema in Tooting, South London.
At that time, three names were in common use: “Bengalese”, “Bengalee” and “Bengal finch”. (NB: none is an accurate reflection of where Bengalese originated from or where they were subsequently developed.) The newly constituted committee decided on “Bengalese” and this was subsequently incorporated into the society name of the National Bengalese, which subsequently resulted in a significant growth in interest, with membership reaching 30 soon after.
