With Ashley being my Dad, it’s almost impossible for me to not go up to the Hawk Conservancy on my days off from school. When I do help out, I normally do small jobs around the grounds, such as cleaning water bowls in the birds’ aviaries, going over the hill with the eagles in the two o’clock display, tidying around the grounds or any other job that needs doing or that Dad can think up for me. My favourite job is being in charge of the gate at the twelve o’clock display because I get a chance to stop and watch the birds in the display fly, talk to the visitors and have a rest!

This half term I helped clean out the new staff room with my brother Patrick and another park volunteer. It was hard work because we had to clean a lot of windows, vacuum the carpet and also clean the kitchen area. I’ve also helped build a new ‘mark 7’ nest box for Barn Owls that is going to be used at the twelve o’clock display for Test and Avon to fly out of. This will give the commentator the chance to talk about the Fund-A-Bird nest-box scheme. My favourite bird has to be Chestnut the Tawny owl, who normally flies in the 3.30 Woodland Owls demonstration; I like this bird because of his personality, which is different to all the other birds (I’ve even got a picture of him on my bedroom wall!).

Most days when I’m up at the park, I’m an assistant to either a volunteer or member of staff, usually Cedric, Jimmy or Simon. This year I’ve had the chance to go and watch the Valley of the Eagles in the new amphitheatre, which is really exciting. With the new vultures flying, everything’s going on at once.

Hugh (right) as a ghost at Halloween Owls By Moonlight

On special events such as Halloween, my brother Patrick and I normally help out by dressing up as ghosts around the grounds. We try and find hiding places, then jump out, scream and scare the public, which is good fun! We don’t even get time off at Christmas! After opening our presents, we have to go up to the park to help Dad. We put the food out for the wild birds then count the Herons from the hide when they come in; this is something that Dad did with his father Reg.

A lot of the time people ask me if I’ll “fill Dad’s shoes” but I have to say no, that doesn’t interest me because I want to be an actor when I grow up. Every Sunday my Dad takes me to Stagecoach Drama School in Andover where I do singing, acting and dancing classes.

Hugh (right) in his role as Young Kipps at the Mayflower Theatre

Just recently, I went for an audition to be in the production of “Half a Sixpence” which is running at the Mayflower theatre in Southampton from the 21st-26th April. I won the role of Young Kipps, which is the number one boy’s role in the show. Over the last few weeks I’ve been going to rehearsals and on 21st of April we visited the Mayflower Theatre for the first time. During the day I got to meet the star of the play, Gary Wilmot, and I practised the show with the rest of the cast. Last night (21st of April) was my first show and the first time that I’ve ever stepped on a big stage. It was quite nerve-racking but once I got into it I enjoyed it. When I was bowing at the end of the show, I looked out into the audience and saw my dad crying. On Wednesday about 10 people from the Park are coming to watch me! They have all promised they’d stand up and give me a standing ovation at the end!

Hugh Reilly Smith