August 2009 - The President Gets the Bird!
Traditionally the August meeting of Andover Women in Business takes the form of a Party. In the past this has been held at the President’s home but this year Caroline Gilham broke with tradition and arranged for members, families and friends to enjoy an afternoon at The Hawk Conservancy, Weyhill. We were most fortunate in that the wet weather that has prevailed over the last week broke and the sun shone on the proceedings.
Children were introduced to some of the Owls and given the opportunity to hold them whilst the adults donned the gauntlet and fed the Harris Hawk as she flew towards them whilst they stood on the balcony of the Griffon Room. Surprisingly most of the volunteers to feed the Hawk were Ladies and some taller children, the men taking a back seat and declining to don the gauntlet! Ashley Smith regaled us with stories of how the public began visiting the farm after a throwaway remark on BBC television’s Blue Peter programme.
Over 1000 visitors in the first weekend was the start of what is now an internationally known facility concentrating on Birds of Prey. There followed a display from a Peregrine Falcon, Caracara, Secretary Bird and lastly the Barn Owls. By now the general public had left and we were able to stroll around the Conservancy at our leisure enjoying the various birds, deer and the wild flower meadow planted in memory of Reg Smith.
The afternoon finished with a Barbecue cooked and served in the attractive woodland setting, enjoyed by all whilst being serenaded by the calls of the birds as they settled down for the night.
Next Meetings
| Date | |
|---|---|
| 07/09/2010 | AWIBC AGM |
| 05/10/2010 | Finding Florence - The story of Florence Nightingale, how it was researched, written and staged |
| 02/11/2010 | Network Meeting |
| 07/12/2010 | AWIBC Christmas Party |
