2nd
Dec |
Assistant Curator Gary Benton and Falconer Jimmy Robinson travelled to Banham Zoo in Norfolk to collect a new female African White-backed Vulture to join our group.
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4th Dec |
A new mobility scooter has been donated to the Trust by "Twice as Nice".
There was a photo session with a representative from Simply Health, who had kindly refurbished the scooter before its donation.
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6th
Dec |
A second horse - Murphy, an Irish Draught - arrived at the Trust to begin training for our 2010 mounted displays.
Pictured left -
Murphy arriving at the Trust after being ridden by Jimmy from his stables in a rainstorm
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10th
Dec |
The remaining section of the Valley of the Eagles arena was asphalted following a kind donation from a Trust supporter.
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11th
Dec |
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Test Valley Brass |
The first ever Owls and Carols evening was held at the Trust. Over 150 people attended and sang festive songs along with Test Valley Brass, before enjoying mulled wine and mince pies, and watching a moonlight owl display.
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12th
Dec |
Wild Arena held a photographic day at the Trust.
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14th
Dec |
Mark Hemming from Festo held a DISC training session for all staff.
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15th
Dec |
Trustee Michael Bolger, Curator Andy Hinton and Assistant Curator Gary Benton held closed interviews amongst our interested volunteers for the position of Junior Falconer. The successful applicant is Ryan Stevens who will join the bird staff team in February 2010.
A film crew from Strictly Come Dancing visited the Trust to film some "vox pop" opinions on who would win the final. Tracey Smith (Visitor Services Manager) and Paul Betchley (Falconer) were filmed giving their opinions. Paul's piece was broadcast on the final night to over 8 million people.
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17th Dec |
Registrar Jane Robertson trained staff in the use of the ISIS record keeping system. |
19th Dec |
Hospital Manager Kim Kirkbride held a training day for Members who have volunteered to help collect and release injured birds. Over 40 people attended. |
21st
Dec |
Trust staff helped to clear the stream at the Amport Fen Nature Reserve. This was an opportunity to help the local parish, at the same time providing valuable team building for the staff. |
22nd
Dec |
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| The hut being moved into postion for the new Fund-a-Bird headquarters |
Local farmer Harold helped to move one of the shepherd's huts from the meadow into the park, to form the office for the new Fund-a-Bird headquarters.
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27th
Dec |
The first day we were open over the Christmas holidays. A cold, bright and sunny day resulted in more than one hundered people visiting for the day.
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Throughout December, researcher Ann Bennett carried out an environmental enrichment project on some of the Trust’s flying team.
The Griffon Rooms were busy with Christmas lunch bookings.
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The horses begin their display training |
Getting ready for the new season |
Christmas dinner in the Griffon Rooms |
All through December work continued around the grounds in preparation for the 2010 season.
- Plans were made to remove the central pillar in the ground floor of the Griffon Rooms, to offer a larger corporate space.
- Meetings took place to plan the design of the proposed new coffee shop.
- Preparation of areas for new aviaries started.
- The horses began their training to get them used to birds flying to them.
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