After what was apparently the coldest, wettest May on record, June came in flaming, and the evening of Saturday 10th saw a memorable Members’ Night.  The theme was the park’s 40th anniversary, with a quiz all about our history and past video clips being televised on the screen outside the hospital throughout the evening. 

The flying display featured a mixture of old friends and new.  It started with an appearance on Jane’s fist of our elderly European Eagle Owl, Duffy while Ashley talked about him.  Then one of our new members of staff, James, told us about Wordsworth the young Gymnogene while Sam flew him.  Wordsworth has had a fantastic replica tree made especially for him so that he can show us how he climbs up and down the trunk and takes food from holes in the trunk and branches, and he did Sam proud on his first major public appearance.  Next we were treated to a talk from wildlife photographer Philip Lovel, including some fond memories and anecdotes of his school days with Ashley and their times together on the park. 

Another of our new members of staff, Kym then introduced the two Lanneret Falcons, which were brilliantly flown by Gary.  Our vet John Chitty talked about how he became involved with the park and we were told some funny stories from the past.  The third of our new staff members, Cedric, talked about Mac the Verreaux Eagle while James flew him; another new display bird in training.  Jon Scott introduced Mrs Simpson, the Andean Condor while Mike Riley flew her and all the other falconers spread themselves along the front of the barrier to protect the audience in case she decided to overshoot and land among them!

Every year a volunteer is given an award and this year it was the turn of Jon Scott, who tirelessly performs countless tasks for the park including commentating at displays, talking to schools, and looking after retired birds.  Then we had a talk from another long-standing associate of the park, Jim Chick, who gave us yet more opportunities to laugh at Ashley and their past antics, followed by a display from Burdock our Turkey Vulture in training, and the evening was rounded up with the raffle draw. 

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