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November 2008

It seems that summer has well and truly gone, as the heating is now on in the office and all we can see from the window is people constantly clearing leaves. It’s a bit like painting the Forth Bridge at the moment.

However with most of the staff now returned from this year’s vulture ringing trip to Kimberley, we can enjoy a little bit of sunshine from viewing the many images they have brought back with them. It proved to be a successful trip with over forty young chicks being rung. Four chicks were fitted with satellite transmitters, provided by the Trust, which we hope we can shortly link to the web site so that you can view the movements of the chicks. These will provide vital information on the movements and the locations that these birds travel to.

October saw the official launch of our new corporate facility, the Griffon Rooms, with over fifty invited local business people and dignitaries enjoying champagne and canapés. This is proving to be a popular venue, with several corporate events and family celebrations booked to take place over the coming months.

Half term is now upon us, and we are all waiting with our fingers crossed, hoping that good weather will see a busy end to the season. This year the Trust will again be open at weekends throughout the winter. The only change to the timetable will be the first display of the day, which will now start at 11.45am to allow guests extra time to enjoy Jemma’s roast dinners in Duffy’s. Don’t forget the Trust shop has a wide range of gift ideas for Christmas, and whether you are buying shop items or experience day Gift Vouchers, the Trust currently has a special offer that will give you an extra gift to take home with you. If you are still looking for somewhere to hold your works or family Christmas celebrations, there are still places available in November and December and a wonderful Christmas celebration menu to enjoy.

The New Year will also see some changes to the web site, with a re-launch happening over the next couple of months. The first page to change will be the front page, making it easier for visitors to find more information about the Trust and its experience sessions. Most of the other pages will then be reviewed and updated to try and publicise the Trust’s work in Conservation, Education, Rehabilitation and Research. One of the major changes will mean that the December edition of Accipiter will be the last in this magazine format. It has been great fun over the years, and everyone has enjoyed sharing the behind the scenes news at the Trust. However, it is becoming more and more difficult for people to find the time to write monthly articles on new and exciting stories. Do not despair though, some of the articles will still appear on the web site, but in an area more specific to their content. Hospital news will be in the Rehabilitation section, Meadow Muses in the Conservation section etc. So you will still be able to find our stories and it will also give you a chance to explore some of the other pages on the web site, too.

One last piece of news that I have been asked pass on urgently from Jemma in the Coffee Shop, is that she and Gary are expecting a new addition to their family around Christmas. Although she now has quite a distinctive bump, she is concerned that no-one has said anything or, worse still, that people think she has been tasting too many of her wonderful cakes. The office is now busy preparing a badge saying “I'm not fat - I'm pregnant!” for her to wear with pride. I am sure that everyone will want to join the good wishes for the Benton family to be.

Happy Half term everyone.

Tracey Smith (in a cold and windy Andover standing in for Lou still enjoying herself in Africa!)

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