Autumn 2009 Newsletter
With a very exciting summer season now behind us, it’s all change as we prepare for 2010. The Hawking Centre is moving to Doddington Place Gardens, a stunning and private 700 acre estate only ten minutes away from our present location at Leeds Castle.

Whilst we have loved every minute of our last six years based at Leeds Castle, times must and do change, and with the developments of the last few months, it is working out wonderfully to be able to run our courses from a quieter location with fewer public visitors. Feedback from clients on courses has been indicating that you would prefer to fly the birds somewhere without being swamped by tourists, so this was a major consideration. Also with Leigh and Jo’s TV series now on air every day on CITV, it is also becoming necessary to have a quieter base! Wildworld is being broadcast every weekday on CITV, and is now a regular feature on children’s television.

Between November 2009 and March 2010, insight days can still be taken at Leeds Castle, and from 1st March 2010, the move to Doddington will be complete. Doddington Place Gardens and estate is quite simply breathtakingly beautiful, with far-reaching views and the peace and quiet, which can truly give visiting clients a day ‘away from it all’. No hustle and bustle, no stress, just time out with the birds and nature. And naturally our flying team of birds will be with us just the same – including Jack the Augur Buzzard, Bassett the Peregrine Falcon and of course our team of Harris Hawks. Visitors can expect an exclusive day with expert tuition, and a fantastic experience of wildlife in the Kent countryside!

The centre remains a refuge and rescue base for injured wild birds of prey, and unwanted pets, and this year has been no exception in taking in waifs and strays. Birds including Sparrowhawks, Kestrels, Harris Hawks and a Peregrine Falcon have all found their way to us, and we’re delighted to report a 100% success record in both rehabilitating and re-releasing injured birds back into the wild, and in re-homing unwanted captive bred birds of prey.

As we have received numerous requests for tuition in the recognized LANTRA ‘Beginning Falconry’ Award, you might also like to know that we offer tuition and assessment in this award as part of our five day course in falconry. The assessment stage occurs on day five of the course, and so you now receive a LANTRA certificate in falconry (if you pass that is!) as well as your birds of prey training and management book at the end of the course – a great achievement which is now a nationally recognized award.

We’d like to move into 2010 by thanking all our clients – we look forward to seeing you again soon. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2010.