Hawk Conservancy Trust red kite logo
The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire. SP11 8DY, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1264 773850.   Fax: +44 (0) 1264 773772.   Email info@hawkconservancy.org

About The Trust  ·  About Birds of Prey  ·  FAQ  ·  Text size  ·  Search  ·  Buy At link  · 

Home->About Us->Testimonials

Testimonials

What people say about us (extracts from actual letters and emails received at the office during 2006):

Bird of Prey Experience

Thank you for an enjoyable activity day, the time shot by, punctuated by an excellent lunch and accompanied by a particularly friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It was well received by all the attendees. Your staff were bothe friendly, practically skilled, very imformative and dedicated to their work. they made what could have been just a n enjoyable day , particularly special.
Roger Cook (email)

What a superb day we had yesterday, your staff were excellent, friendly, and imforamtive throughout the day and took great care of us. We all felt it reflected the very professional and customer focussed attitude there seems to be at your Trust. Many thanks for making our day so enjoyable, it was well worth the 500 mile round trip.
Martin & Jacqui Hughes (email)

It was a really relaxing and informative day, with of course the highlight being flying the birds. The staff who looked after us were excellent and everyone was so friendly. The grounds were clean and tidy, and the obvious wellbeing of the birds was the forefront of everyone there.
Roger Pow (email)

From the initial phone call to book the day right through until leaving at 5.30 (we wanted to hang on until the last possible minute) every member of staff we spoke to helped make the day a truly fantastic and memorable experience. The displays were brilliant, staff knowledgeable and very friendly. A brilliant service from start to finish.
Suzanne Plumridge (email)

Thursday was the best day of my life, I was so sorry when it came to an end. Thank your dedicated staff for sharing their encyclopaedic knowledge and passion for birds in such a friendly and relaxed way, as well as their patience and thoughtfulness. It was such a privilege , and I shall never forget it.
Deborah Stevens.

Thank you so much for the wonderful experience of flying a Harris Hawk, it is such a privilege to handle these gorgeous birds. It is a lifetime's ambition fulfilled. The staff are so friendly and helpful making sure that their guests get the most out of their visit.
B Gary, Kent

We have just returned home from our experience day and want to than you all for one of the most enjoyable days out we have had for a long time. It was wonderful to get so close to the different birds and to actually fly them ourselves.
Sue & Terry Adcock (email)

I had the best day yesterday for my 70th birthday, with so many memories to treasure. Everyone we met made us feel so welcome, and were so patient answering our endless questions.
Tony Salter, Tidworth.

Birthday parties

Thank you to your staff for making my daughter's birthday there last Saturday such good fun and a huge success. The children particularly enjoyed their time with the Barn Owl. Many thanks for a great birthday.
Jane Brockbank (email)

Isabella had a very memorable 8th birthday today. It was a very successful day, and we must thank all the staff for their kindness and interest.
Anna Tucker (email)

Thank you for making Peter’s birthday so memorable. He and his friends really enjoyed themselves, as did my wife and I. From the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff to a really enjoyable tea. All of his friends came away saying they want their parties here as well. Keep up the good work.
John Walley

School visits

Thank you so much for all you did to make our visit to you informative, interesting, and fun. The children were inspired by what they saw. We were impressed by the way you ran the school visit, which was part of a science based curriculum, and this trip was the perfect start to our week learning about flight.
Sue Croft & D Pratton, Buryfields Infants School

We all enjoyed our trip to your park, and were all amazed at how they could fly at great speeds and their aerodynamics were fantastic. Your displays were very informative and exciting. We have carried on working on Birds of Prey at school, making posters and carrying out experiments on how beaks work.
Year 9 Edington & Shapwick School

Photographic Days

We really enjoyed our day, and would like to thank you and your staff for allowing us to photograph the birds in such natural surroundings. They could not do enough for us, and their knowledge and friendliness made the morning one to be remembered.
Ludshott Photographic Club.

Day Visitors

Just had to email you to say thank you for the most amazing day at the Trust yesterday. We arrived at 10.30 and did not leave until 5pm, and enjoyed every second we were with you. Everything about your establishment is of the highest order.
Doug Deacon

Yours is one of the only tourist attractions that improves every year without fail. The level of professionalism shown by your staff is second to none. I am always impressed by the amount of passion shown by your commentators, it makes each visit very special.
Sally Pollington (email)

What a special place it is. Every time we leave we have a huge sense of wellbeing and renewed enthusiasm for birds and wildlife. The family atmosphere you have there is really tangible and the passion you have for birds so infectious.
Za & Alex Cox (email)

It was nice to see birds looking so contented and well looked after, and all their enclosures were extremely clean and tidy. The staff all seem enthusiastic and genuinely care for these birds. The talks and displays were the best I have ever seen, and really allow the public to appreciate these fantastic birds.
Chris Worgan (email)

We drove for 7 hours to visit to visit your centre following recommendations from others. I have to say that the experience we encountered has to be the best we have ever received. Your centre is first class in every way. Your staff and volunteers are extremely helpful and caring and my children and I were treated with the utmost professionalism. The extent of your collection is brilliant, and very diverse, and the surroundings in perfect conditions.
Stuart Morris, Tyneside.

Your ability to entertain and demonstrate to the public is far superior to anywhere I have visited. There was not enough time to fit everything in. Well done, and thank you for an excellent day out.
Jay Marshall, Ewell.

Our day with you was both educational, for us adults and a 9 year old, and one of the most enjoyable days we have had in a long time. Everyone was so helpful and more than happy to answer our questions. We found the pricing, for the entrance and gift and coffee shop very reasonable, which is a refreshing change nowadays, as most places are beyond some families reach.
Having 2 small children in tow I was impressed by the visitor friendly activities for small people and the friendliness and helpfulness of all the staff.
Tom Bailey. United Arab Emirates

The enthusiasm was tangible - all the staff obviously love the work they do. We felt this the whole time we were at the Trust from the man at the top to the youngsters in the coffee shop. Every one was helpful, polite and caring. I particularly noticed how much attention was given to involving children on the day, and their interest in nature being encouraged. Thank you, thank you, thank you for such an amazing day.
Jane Buckley, North Lincs

I wanted to write and say thank you for a wonderful day. We arrived at 10.30 and did not leave until 5pm feeling we had learnt a lot. Your emphasis on display, with enough time to look around and eat is unique and I was so impressed. Also your willingness to allow people to have birds on their hand (at no extra cost) was something we will all remember for a long time.
P J Cook (email)

I visited with the Shinfield Brownies yesterday and wanted to say what a wonderful time that we had. The girls thoroughly enjoyed their day, as did the adults. The birds were spectacular, the grounds beautifully kept and the staff most friendly and helpful. The girls will remember holding the owls for many years to come.
Jan Pich (tawny)

It is difficult to amuse a 12 year old but our grandson was totally mesmerised, as were us oldies. The flying displays were fantastic, more so because of the commentaries and the musical interludes were an inspiration.
Sue & Barry Holdway, Hungerford.

We were most impressed with the range of activities and the efficiency of all aspects of the trust, as well as the love and commitment to the birds from all concerned. You’ve chosen your staff very well.
Hilary Carrington, Hampshire.

The time we spent with you was nothing less than amazing. The Valley of the Eagles was breathtaking and led us to tears from the sheer splendour of the birds to the music. The work you do is very impressive, and thank you for allowing us the privilege of seeing such amazing birds.
Chris & Nikki, London.

The Accipiter

"I absolutely love your online magazine – it always feels like I’ve spent a beautiful day at your incredible facility! As I live in New Zealand and can only visit very occasionally, I am indebted to you all for your magazine and will continue to look at it whenever I can." - A.J, New Zealand

Owl Experience

It is difficult to know what to give someone of my father's age, and with his love of birds seemed like an ideal gift which it turned out to be. He had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
E Cort, Farnham.

Many thanks to everyone who made our Owl Experience such a special morning for both of us. Your staff captured our attention with their enthusiasm and knowledge.
Kate & David Harwer.

The time and effort put into making everyone’s day so enjoyable was really appreciated. Being allowed to carry and fly the owls, and seeing the baby chick in the hospital was a fantastic experience. Everything about the centre was of a high standard and well cared for, and the dedication of the staff is obvious. I will be spreading the word to friends and family.
Suzanne Archer (email)

Evening Talks

Last night was tremendously enjoyable, you will have felt the rapport with your audience, and we were so grateful for spending the time. It is a great skill you have to entertain and inform so well, and the photos were a perfect illustration to your talk and greatly added to our enjoyment.
Mrs A M Newton, Royal Southern Yacht Club

Owls By Moonlight

I am writing to say thank you to everyone at the Trust for the wonderful evening that the Hook NWR enjoyed last Thursday. The owls were beautiful, especially at such close quarteres, and Mike and Paul gave us so much information about them with great humour. Can I also thank you and your colleagues for being unfailingly helpful when I was making the arrangements, and the catering staff for the wonderful food. I am sure that Ispeak for evereyone present that our memories of the evening will remain with us for a long time.
Hook NWR 18th march 2008

The whole event ran like clockwork, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about owls. The real pleasure was the illuminated display, it was breathtaking and felt more real seeing them fly in the darkness. I will treasure the memory forever.
Sue Topham, Fareham.

What a perfect evening you gave us yesterday. I could see everyone from where I was sat during your talk, and everyone’s faces expressed rapt attention, approval and great enjoyment. The flying display was even more miraculous than normal, and it was a truly unforgettable evening.
Joan Leslie, Four Parishes Arts Society.

Thank you for making my birthday treat extra special. It was a magical evening and the flight of the Owls was awesome.
Margaret Pearce, Marlborough.

Thank you for our visit last night, our members had the most wonderful time. Your talks were very informative, but never boring, and the flying show was a memory we shall never forget. The whole evening was a great success and our members will be talking about it for a long time. Overall magic.
Sandra Clarke (Newbury Tangent Club)

Corporate Days

Just a quick note on behalf of the animal health team, to say thank you very much for our corporate half day with you on 27th March 2008.
My colleagues and I had a fantastic time at the Conservancy. We would especially like to thank David for his help on our initial contact, Jimmy for his introductory talk and Jane and Ivan for the hands on flying experience.
Tony Poole, Animal Health Office

Re Corporate day for Le Creuset. I have received lots of positive comments, including from many long time Le Creuset personnel, that is was the best ever and I wanted to thank you for the Trust's contribution which made this so successful, and less stressful for me. Please pass on our thanks to Sam, Jane, Cedric and Kim - and of course all the birds, for what was a thoroughly enjoyable, informative and entertaining afternoon. Each and every one of us was thrilled with our experience. i just hope that we weren't too boisterous.
Louise Portnall, Office Manager/PA to Managing Directore, Le Creuset UK

We had an amazing time, it is so hard to find something that a relatively large number of very different people will enjoy, but I think we did! I have had great feedback from everyone who went, your team were so helpful, knowledgable and enthusiastic and patient with our daft questions which they must get asked on a daily basis! The whole event was superb, and several of our team will be returning with their families. You have a very special place there.
Graham Waterton , Strutt & Parker Estate agents.

I just wanted to thank you for our event on Tuesday, we had a really enjoyable day and were impressed by your facilities. Our afternoon experience with the birds of prey was fantastic so please pass on my thanks to everyone who was involved and made it such a great day.
Emily McLachlan, Gartner UK Limited

We just wanted to say that Wendy returned from her day with you yesterday and is so enthusiastic about the event. We have received several emails this morning from the brokers that attended with her thanking us for such an interesting and well organised day.
Wendy's comment to me was that "It was one of the best events we have done for our brokers. Such value for money and a fantastic experience".
I would like to thank you and your team for the day Wendy and the brokers enjoyed. Also, as an event you made sure it was very straight forward and easy to organise from my point of few. Thank you
Sue Brown, Maidenhead Branch Secretary, Hiscox Insurance Company Ltd


Home  |  Ticket Shop  |  contact us  |  legal  |  privacy  |  bibliography  |  The Accipiter logo
Zoo Federation logo Earupean Zoo Associatoin logo
Charity No: 1092349 - Company No: 4304161

Copyright © 1996-2008 Keith Channing and The Hawk Conservancy Trust, Andover, Hants SP11 8DY, UK. All rights reserved.
Tel: +44 (0) 1264 773850. Fax: +44 (0) 1264 773772. Email info@hawkconservancy.org.
Click here for open dates and times, ticket prices and directions and a map showing our location .

All data, images etc. owned by the author or by The Hawk Conservancy Trust will be freely available for any non-commercial use, subject only to their being unchanged and to credit being given to the photographer and to The Hawk Conservancy Trust. A few photographs are gleaned from other resources and in some cases we have not been able to identify the copyright owner. In these cases, if notified, we shall be more than happy either to give credit for the work, or remove the offending images and acknowledge our error.

Site conceived, designed, built and maintained by Keith Channing and was last modified on Tuesday, 13 May, 2008.
Achanning.info logo web site