Monthly Archives: March 2018

Bird of Prey Family Adventures at the Hawk Conservancy Trust.

Bird of Prey Family Adventures at the  Hawk Conservancy Trust.

Rewilding has become a popular term these days in conservation and is not only important for the natural world but also vital for children. Giving them the opportunity to be in the presence of wild and beautiful creatures helps develop a connection to nature and to their own wild side. Children can flourish in this environment and not only is it good for them we hope it may inspire a passion to protect our wildlife and wild environments.

The Hawk Conservancy Trust on the outskirts of Andover is adding to its attractions this year to inspire this passion in children. We have a few bits of Easter inspiration to share with you:


New Bird of Prey Playground

Our new and fun bird of prey themed adventure playground opens at Easter where children can use up any extra energy and play happily and safely – featuring an owl rope swing, a Secretary Bird’s nest swing, a bird’s nest with a climbing net, fireman’s pole, wobbly bridge and slide – and lots more bird of prey inspired fun.

New Children’s Activity Trail

Look out for the brand new Children’s Activity Trail which is based around the work of wildlife artist Matt Sewell (https://www.mattsewell.co.uk/). The trail has been designed for all ages and the aim is to find the birds pictured on your activity sheet, which not only includes fantastic illustrations by Matt but also lots of fascinating information about each species to keep the children intrigued. For older children there are also questions to answer if they are inspired. Everyone who attempts the trail will receive a badge to show they have completed it.

The trail is free for children as part of a day admission to the Trust.

For May Half Term:
Meet the Burrowers

Come and meet our cute Burrowing Owls, new residents at the Hawk Conservancy Trust. You can get up close and find out all about these small, long legged owls from the prairies and grasslands of North and South America.

Intrepid visitors are invited into a tunnel running through the aviary of the Burrowing Owls. From this tunnel you can peep through cleverly cut peep holes to watch the Burrowing Owls in their aviary, which is designed to replicate their natural habitat. The natural habitat of a Burrowing Owl is the prairie and you will see how our owls are completely at home here. The tunnel provides a sense of how the owls live,  and will also display information about the owls and their daily habits.

This is experience is included as part of a Day Admission

Meet the Burrowers VIP Experience.

Get even closer to the owls with our VIP Meet the Burrowers Experience. Guests will be invited into the ‘burrow’ and an expert member of our team will tell them all about the life, habits and habitat of Burrowing Owls whilst encouraging the owls to move freely amongst the guests. Hang on to your hats as the owls can fly very close and sometimes are daring enough to land on a visitor’s head – be prepared for unexpected encounters. The VIP experience takes place every day at 12.15pm.

£19.50 per person and can be pre-booked or booked on the day subject to availability via our shop or online. Normal admission fees apply.

Summer Holiday:
Wildlife Weekend with Martin Hughes-Games – Sat 28 and Sun 29 July

Best-known for presenting Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, Martin has worked for many years producing and presenting well-known wildlife, natural history and science TV programmes. We’re thrilled to welcome Martin to the Trust for this weekend when he will be making a number of appearances throughout both days.

12:30-1:15pm    Join Martin in the Savannah Arena for questions and answers.

1:45-2pm: In the stunning and serene location of our wildflower meadow, Martin will introduce our Valley of the Eagles display with a short talk about his passion for British wildlife.

3-3:30pm: Martin will be on hand to sign copies of his book ‘A Wild Life’

3:45-4:15pm: Martin will co-host a special version of our Woodland Owls flying display, followed by an opportunity for visitors to ask Martin any burning questions.

5-5:20pm: Martin will join visitors in the viewing hides to talk about some of the birds and other wildlife there.

Wheelchair Friendly Family Fun Run to Raise Money For Jessie May

Wheelchair Friendly Family Fun Run to Raise Money For Jessie May

Children’s charity Jessie May is looking for people to run, jog, walk, push or wheel their way around its family fun run on Sunday 8 July to raise funds for terminally ill children. The People’s Grand Prix is fast becoming one of Jessie May’s most popular events, having raised an incredible £2600 last year. Now… Read More…

Big name performers set to delight South West theatre lovers

Big name performers set to delight South West theatre lovers

A host of big-name performers are lined up to star in West End shows this Spring and Summer and South West theatre goers are snapping up tickets fast. Stars such as Lulu, performing in 42nd Street; Cuba Gooding Jnr, performing in Chicago; and Will Young performing in Strictly Ballroom, are proving to be a big pull… Read More…

Take a virtual reality tour of the £10m Keynsham Leisure Centre refurbishment

Take a virtual reality tour of the £10m Keynsham Leisure Centre refurbishment

People across Bath and North East Somerset are being given a unique opportunity to experience how Keynsham Leisure Centre will look once its £10m refurbishment is completed. Bath & North East Somerset Council, together with the Leisure Centre’s operators GLL, are giving local people the chance to take a virtual tour of the new facilities… Read More…

Hats off for Brain Tumour Research

Hats off for Brain Tumour Research

Schools and organisations are once again taking part in the Brain Tumour Research campaign – Wear a Hat Day where participants are invited to wear a hat to raise awareness for brain tumours, which this year is being sponsored by Specsavers. Businesswoman, model, actress and mum, Caprice, revealed she had been diagnosed with a brain… Read More…

Ofsted inspection praises Wiltshire’s joint working to support Children and Young People with SEND

Ofsted inspection praises Wiltshire’s joint working to support Children and Young People with SEND

Inspectors have praised effective partnerships and the ambition to deliver the very best outcomes for Wiltshire’s children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) in a report published today. The Ofsted and Care Quality Commission letter notes the effective partnerships across education, health and care which are a strength of Wiltshire. It… Read More…

Getting your head around social media

Getting your head around social media

The news has been awash recently with talk of Facebook and data breaches and you’re probably used to your kids staring at the screens of their mobile phones or hiding away with their laptops and you’re also probably a little concerned about how to keep them safe when they’re using the various trendy apps and… Read More…

Family fun in South Somerset this Easter

Family fun in South Somerset this Easter

Staff and volunteers at National Trust places in South Somerset have been busy getting ready to welcome visitors over the Easter holidays. Over the Easter weekend 30 March to 2 April, the National Trust team at Barrington Court will be hosting a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 11am to 4pm, £2 per hunt, normal admission applies.… Read More…

Medieval Falconry at The Bishop’s Palace Saturday 7th April 10am-4pm

Medieval Falconry at The Bishop’s Palace Saturday 7th April 10am-4pm

If you’re looking for a day out with plenty of Wow Factor, then don’t miss the Bishop’s Palace’s Medieval Falconry Day on Saturday 7th April 10am-4pm when The Raptor Foundation will return to the South Lawn for a day of fantastic flying displays, entertaining information and beautiful birds! Suitable for all ages, the displays will… Read More…

What to do if you need medical help over Easter

What to do if you need medical help over Easter

Follow the advice given in the ‘3 before GP’ campaign, which Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group is backing: Self-care You can safely treat the symptoms of many minor ailments at home, with rest and over-the-counter medicines. Use trusted NHS online services The NHS Choices website offers advice on a range of health… Read More…

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