Being a volunteer at the Hawk Conservancy Trust means so much to me.

I’ve been going to the Trust since I was a little girl and, since both my grandparents’ ashes are scattered in the meadow, you can see why it is close to my heart.

I go to the Trust at least twice a week and regularly get involved in demonstrations and do many courses set up for the public. I also help on members’ evenings, doing the competitions and generally having a laugh with everybody.

On Saturday 1st September a members’ evening was held and there were about 250 members attending. It was a lovely evening and everybody tucked into burgers and drinks, and mingled with members old and new. At 7pm we all made our way to the flying grounds for the demonstration of training birds, which was a good giggle. Ash walked out and welcomed everybody, giving them a small introduction. His topic of conversation changed and he started to say how many people volunteer at the Trust and their reasons for doing so.

Year after year Ash has presented one volunteer with an award for their continual hard work at the Trust, and tonight was no different. Nobody knew who was going to win but, as he built up to a climax before announcing the name, I was asked to go and get a camera so Andy could take a photograph of the lucky volunteer. So off I went and it was at that moment that Debbie, another volunteer, came rushing towards me, saying I needed to go and see Ash in the flying grounds because he had fallen over! Confused, I went running up to see him and then everybody was clapping me. I had missed the first announcement, so Ash announced the winner of the award again and it was my name he said!

Julianne receives her award from Ash. Photo by John Baker

I walked on to the flying grounds to receive the award and was shaking like a leaf; all I could think about was the 250 pairs of eyes watching me. I was so nervous, I didn’t say a word; even when Ash gave me the microphone, I gave it straight back!

It was so cool having been presented with an award for my hard work, because I had never won anything like it before. I do have to correct Ash on one thing though. As he was doing his build up, he said that “some people volunteer here because they were dragged as small children by their parents on days out”. However I was dragged by my grandparents. And so after receiving this award I went to the meadow to show them. I think they would be so proud of me if they were still here, which is why my award is now in pride of place next to my bed, with a photo of them.

All in all the 1st September was a great day which I will never forget. Thank you so much to everyone at the Trust for my award; it does mean a lot to me.