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The
Hawk Conservancy Trust
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Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire. SP11 8DY,
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1264 773850. Fax: +44 (0) 1264 773772. Email info@hawkconservancy.org |
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HRH the Duke of Gloucester visited The Hawk Conservancy today and officially opened the new Hilary Smith Bird of Prey Hospital. In a week where the weather has been described as more like late September than early July, we were favoured with a day which, whilst not sunny, was pleasantly dry and warm.
All the pictures below are clickable to reveal a larger image. Click on your 'back' button to return to this page.
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The big surprise of the day was the sheer number of people that turned up! A general invitation had been issued to all members and sponsors, and hundreds turned up. All three car parking areas were full! |
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HRH arrived at the appointed time and had plenty of time for a look around the new hospital, and a chat with key people involved, prior to performing the unveiling of the plaque. Here he is talking with Director Ashley Smith and Tony Gentle, Mayor of Test Valley Borough, in which The Hawk Conservancy stands. |
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Marion Paviour, solicitor to The Hawk Conservancy and Chair of the Trustees of The Hawk Conservancy Trust gave a short speech outlining the developments that gave rise to the formation of the Trust and the building of the hospital. She made mention of the vision that founders Reg and Hilary Smith had cherished for years of a specialist facility with charitable status, and pointed out that, for many years, orphaned and some critical care birds that needed regular attention, were more likely to be found in Hilary's bathroom than anywhere else. She then invited HRH the Duke of Gloucester to perform the opening ceremony. |
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In his address, the Duke spoke of the extent to which the ongoing increase in the human population impacts on the livelihood and ecology of wildlife in general and birds in particular. He praised the efforts of those who seek to redress this balance and provide a facility to which birds found injured, sick or otherwise debilitated can be brought with an assurance of the best treatment available, and a good chance of being released back to the wild. |
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Following the unveiling of the plaque, Ashley's sons, Patrick and Hugh, presented a gift of appreciation to the Duke - a fine English leather card holder. HRH the Duke of Gloucester seemed pleased by the gift and spoke with the boys for some time. |
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The plaque that was unveiled, commemorates the opening of the hospital. It is most fitting that, after the many years of provision of care and attention to sick, injured and orphaned birds, the hospital should bear Hilary's name. |
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At the reception that followed the opening, a number of people who have, over the years, been important to The Hawk Conservancy, or who had made considerable contributions to the building of the hospital (both financial and by giving up time to help with the physical work of building and fitting out) were presented to HRH. |
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In addition to HRH the Duke of Gloucester, other well-known faces at the opening included TV Presenter, Conservationist and Hawk Conservancy Trust Trustee Chris Packham, seen here talking with he Duke and Ashley. |
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HRH the Duke of Gloucester is well known for his interest in conservation matters, and he is seen here with Ashley and Campbell Murn, no doubt discussing some of the finer points of the Trust's efforts in relation to the struggling Oriental White-backed Vultures (OK, so I'm guessing) |
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Following the reception HRH was invited to watch a flying demonstration. The stoop of the Peregrine Falcon seemed to grab everyone's interest, as this photo shows. |
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The day finished with attendees being shown around the hospital facilities. Here falconer Gary explains to a group of well wishers the layout and use of the examination, operating and recuperation areas. |
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Charity No: 1092349 - Company No: 4304161
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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
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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.
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