Five years ago the Golden Jubilee Trust was set up to mark 50 years of the Partnership. The aim of the Trust (which itself is a registered charity) is to let Partners work for another charity at a time when they would normally be working for the Partnership. Only 30-40 awards are made each year, a very limited number considering that the Partnership has 60,000 employees.

Tracey pictured by a magnificent Acer with Tawny Owl Chestnut

Being a member of the Hawk Conservancy Trust, I jumped at the chance to try for an award and was lucky to be granted one, allowing me to spend 2 days a week at the Trust, for a total of 26 weeks.

I started on 10th January and at first I found it a bit daunting, not really knowing anyone; but I was soon put at ease, everyone is so friendly. This was during the time that the park was closed to the public for the winter. I was kept busy cleaning the aviaries and bays, changing water bowls and even on the odd occasion feeding the birds. Also I would regularly let out the chickens, geese and ducks in the morning as well as feeding them and the sheep.

Once the park opened in February the work became more diverse, ranging from answering questions from the public and helping children look for the next bird stamp for their stamp booklets, to going into the Cinereous Vultures' enclosure to remove a broken perch, armed with a dustbin lid. The time I was most nervous was when I cleaned out the water trough in the Yellow Billed Kites' aviary, where 'Bert' the Ruppels Griffon/African White-backed Vulture also resides. He was not much help, standing in the water and amusing himself with my brush. But really the Nene (Hawaiian) Geese are more trouble.

I have more recently helped with the 'holding' birds after the 12 o'clock display which is fun and the children love it.

I have found working here a great honour and feel privileged to be doing so. I will be saddened when my time is up at the beginning of July.