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Behind the Scenes - December 2005

Andy Hinton is The Hawk Conservancy Trust’s curator. However by the time you’ve finished reading what he has to say about an average day at work, you might come to the conclusion that what he actually ends up doing doesn’t quite fulfil his job description. It’s a tough job Andy, but somebody has to do it...

Another day stuck in the office

When I was offered my job I did have one small worry; how long would I spend in the office? Please don’t get me wrong, the office itself is fine - sturdy walls, a roof, and flooring, shelves, etc. There is even heating, plus phones, computers and other stuff. Even the people I share the building with I like, being all very pleasant and without funny odours (apart from the two dogs). I have a desk, a window and a nice chair…. So far all appears to be great, but what I haven’t mentioned, the sole reason for being stuck inside, is the work!

Andy surrounded by his creature comforts
Andy surrounded by his creature comforts.

An average day starts at 8.30am. For all those who don’t know, I live 35 minutes drive away, arriving at the Hawk Conservancy for 8.15 and a cup of strong coffee. Open the office door to check the answer machine for messages; several requests for birthday parties, lost birds (I have got used to; “Has the Conservancy lost a bird? It was really big, bigger than a Buzzard”), injured bird inquiries and “I’ve been trying to speak to Andy Hinton about work experience…” After the answer machine messages, I sit at my desk, look longingly out of the window, listen to radio conversations between the staff out in the park and let out a big wish-filled sigh. The computer is turned on. I check my e-mails; lots of junk mail, Viagra, loans, delete delete delete. Then I recover the ones I should have read from the deleted mail; lots from students requesting work experience, volunteers wanting to fly an eagle or falcon! (Reply without being rude.) A film job, can we house this bird?, have we got a…..? After sorting all the day to day stuff I gather my park keys, reach for the door when, 'doh, I get stopped in my tracks; “We have to look at next month’s rota” a voice shatters any chance of fresh air. The rota can be, and often is, a real headache; it takes lots of time, phone calls and soul searching.

With the rota done I spot another chance to get outside. “Monthly management meeting”, the sound reverberates around the room. Doom and gloom. Dark clouds gather overhead, a meeting only means one thing; more office work. Now, these meetings are extremely useful, meaningful and essential. Ashley, Tracey, Anya and I make up the four person management team which, I feel, works very well. Plenty gets discussed, plans are put in place and I get a new pile of work to do.

It’s nearly time for the 12 o’clock demonstration, surely I’ll be needed. A call on the radio “Andy, it’s OK, you can stay in the office, the 12 is covered” a tear runs slowly down my face, I reply “FINE”. Maybe I can help at the 2. “Andy, phone call” great who can that be, oh it’s from DEFRA wanting to come and inspect the records on disposal of waste foods. I reply that 2 o’clock would be so inconvenient it’s not true. After some negotiations the conversation finishes with, “so 2 o’clock it is.” The person from DEFRA leaves shortly after 3, a quick check of my e-mails, (delete, delete, a reply later), one phone call from a person who has just seen the biggest bird they have ever seen, do I know what it is? 3.30 demonstration, please need me! “Andy we’re O.K.'d for the next” A large chunk of hair is extracted in one swift movement. I start to wish that they might lose a bird at the demo. I take another phone call and this time it’s someone wanting to buy an activity day. I have just found the post on my desk. Letters for reply, bills to verify and a few more requests for bird like things. Birds?, I say to myself, we have birds do we!

Finally the in tray is empty, no more letters to do, e-mails all finished for the day, no more phone calls, no DEFRA, BIAZA, Test Borough Council people wanting anything….. At last I reach for the door handle, step outside, take a sharp intake of clean air, open my eyes to find its dark!!!!

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