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Jemima Parry-Jones flies back to save the National Birds of Prey Centre, Newent

Press release from Jemima Parry-Jones:

On 1 February 2009, the National Birds of Prey Centre reopened to the public it has been given a new name, the International Centre for Birds of Prey to reflect its international work, collection and reputation.

Back under old management, I (Jemima Parry-Jones) am delighted to be back owning and running the place. Over the last four years it has been badly neglected and so with huge help from hordes of willing volunteers, up to 21 on one Sunday, the place has been cleaned up, 60% of the aviaries have been refurbished, with three barns still to go. All bar the large eagles and vultures are now back in residence, and on a bitterly cold first day three flying demonstrations were given in front of the brave visitors who came for the first day.

The café has been repainted, Sue and Angela from Beechinghurst Lodge have come and taken over, bringing new ideas, (new equipment) and energy to the café – we have real coffee that tastes great and the prices are lower!! I can thoroughly recommend the shepherds pie.

The shop is looking a little bare as yet, but stock will be coming in, and we are looking forward to having it back to where it should be.

The birds are well, some are already thinking about breeding and there is a fertile egg from the Griffon Vultures in the incubator. We are adding more birds to the flying teams and hope to be up to our usual standard of demonstrations soon. The gardens will be a while before they recover, but again we are doing our best.

All we need to survive the huge cost of buying back and saving the Centre is lots of visitors to come and see how we are doing.

5 February 2009
Explore Gloucestershire

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