The Hawk Conservancy Trust - Monthly Diary September 2009

3rd Sep

Ashley gave a talk about the work of the Trust to Grateley W.I.

5th
Sep

Chris and Ashley in front of the vulture restaurant

International Vulture Awareness Day.

From an original idea and suggestion by the Trust, over 130 organisations in 33 countries took part in this day to raise public awareness of the plight of vultures.

From Britain, the United States, most of Europe and as far as Mongolia, events were held to promote the species. Trust president, Chris Packham, visited the Trust to give a talk at our vulture restaurant, and had a close encounter with Dolores, the Cinereous Vulture. Displays were on show in the Griffon Rooms highlighting the Trust's worldwide conservation and research work, as well as a fish tank full of grains of rice to indicate how many vultures have died in the wild.

A special web site [link] and blog [link] were created by the Trust and partners to facilitate global communication and involvement.


International Vulture Awareness Day	Vulture restaurant talk given to a packed crowd	Chris having a close encounter with a vulture

6th
Sep

Gary and Jimmy with Campbell and rangers

Trust sponsors Arqiva held their family fun day here at the Trust. Nearly 100 employees and their families enjoyed an entertaining day.

The "Chain Gang", ex mayors of Test Valley, enjoyed a visit to the Trust.

Falconers Gary and Jimmy flew to South Africa to assist Campbell on his research project on White-headed Vultures

7th
Sep

"The Garden Works" held a corporate event here at the Trust. Part of the day involved training staff in the use of gardening equipment, so some of the Trust's hedges and grassed areas received a trim.

8th
Sep

Bonnallack & Bishop solicitors held a breakfast club meeting in the Griffon Rooms.

10th
Sep

Kim gave a talk to Sparsholt Veterinary students about the work of the hospital.

11th
Sep

A wedding reception was held in the Griffon Rooms for Gemma & Paul Merritt. Over fifty guests enjoyed a buffet lunch and the chance to fly some birds from the balcony.


Guests enjoy the facilities of our Griffon Rooms	Up close and personal with a Barn Owl	Tawny Eagle Frodo leaves the party to continue his display

13th
Sep

Chris Packham delivered the second of his talks on Back Garden Nature Reserve in the Griffon Rooms.

15th Sep

Two members of staff from Paradise Park arrived for work experience at the Trust.

16th Sep

Trefoil Guild held a private Owls By Moonlight

17th
Sep

Trust sponsors "Festo" held a management training course in the Griffon Rooms
Ashley gave an evening talk to Burbage Women's Own group.

18th
Sep

Two members of staff from Puy du Fou in France arrived to collect some birds returning to their centre on breeding loan.

19th
Sep

Fareham Vannes Twinning Association group spent a day at the Trust.

20th
Sep


Lou Ritchie receiving the Volunteer of the Year award	Swapping stories around the camp fire

An end of season get together for staff and volunteers took place. It gave a chance for the Trust to say thank you to everyone for their hard work during the year.
Lou Ritchie received the Volunteer of the Year award in recognition of all her work in our outreach/educational visits.
Ashley, Tracey and Andy then took to the BBQ to provide supper for everyone, whilst Ashley's son, Hugh, provided a musical interlude on the guitar.

A Wii console was set up in the Griffon Rooms and proved popular with some of the younger members, whilst most people preferred to sit around the camp fire and swap stories.

22nd
Sep

Andy gave an afternoon talk about the work of the Trust to Calne Women's fellowship group.

23rd
Sep

Mark Anderson, Executive Director of of BirdLife South Africa, gave a talk at the Andover Lights theatre. Over 200 people attended a pink champagne and canapés reception, and took part in a raffle to raise funds for the Trust's vulture projects. The evening was introduced by Trust president Chris Packham, and was an evening full of entertaining stories about Mark's work with vultures and flamingos in South Africa.


Pink champagne at Mark's talk	Canapés reception

Chris, Mark and Ashley at the Lights	Mark delivering his talk	Hugh provided a musical interlude

New powered scooter from ShopMobility

John Morrison donated a new powered scooter to be used at the Trust through ShopMobility.

24th
Sep

Dinner for Mark Anderson in the Griffon Rooms

A dinner was held in the Griffon Rooms for Mark Anderson, and all Trust staff and volunteers that have assisted him with the vulture ringing programme in South Africa were invited.
A great evening was had by all with people swapping their best and worst moment stories.

26th Sep

Henge Consultancy held a relaxation and meditation course in the Griffon Rooms.


Members' Night raffle	Hugh provided a musical interlude	Members' Night's display in Reg's meadow

The second Members' Night of the year was attended by more than 200 people, who enjoyed the usual competitions and raffle. The evening started in Reg's meadow and then, when sunset arrived, everyone moved to the woodland arena to watch an illuminated display. The evening ended with a presentation by Mark Anderson to members about his work with BirdLife South Africa.

Sunset on Members' Night

27th Sep

Gosport camera club held a photographic session here at the Trust.

29th Sep

Registrar Jane Robertson attended a BIAZA meeting re Article 60 applications
Campbell attended the annual conference of the Raptor Research Foundation in Pitlochry, Scotland. He presented a paper on the African White-backed Vulture project at Kimberley in South Africa.

30th Sep

Tourism Partnership held a meeting in the Griffon Rooms.

Paul puts the finishing touches to the handpainted label

Reg's Wildlfower meadow honey is launched. Our first batch of 30 jars has been produced and is being sold as a limited edition with signed certificate.

The first jar was sold at Members' Night for £100. All additional jars are being sold at £25 per jar.

Call us on 01264 773850

Monthly Diary - September 2009

Corporate Sponsors

Signup for email updates