Chester Cathedral officially open their brand new tourist attraction on July 18. The Falconry Centre and Nature Reserve promises to be the city’s next exciting landmark, and staff invited Carmella De Lucia along to see what visitors can expect.
Having been born and pretty much brought up in Chester, not to mention spending the past four years working for the Chronicle, I suppose you could say I’m somewhat of a veteran to the city’s biggest tourist attractions.
Chester Zoo, Chester Races - if you name it, I’ve probably done it, so I was definitely intrigued when Chester Cathedral announced they were creating their own tourist attraction in the form of a falconry centre and nature reserve in the grounds of the Dean’s Field.
Now I’m no bird expert, but I could tell straight away that this new development was going to be a bit impressive. So when I was asked to go for a tour of the new centre, I took with me an open mind and just a whisper of trepidation (still bearing the scars from when a seagull viciously knocked my ice cream to the ground on Rhyl beach in 1994).
I was not to be disappointed. After a wait to get planning permission granted, cathedral staff have been working tirelessly day and night for the past few months to transform the previously derelict land on the Dean’s Field into something rather spectacular for Chester.
And I’m not exaggerating when I say that from how it looks now, every minute has been worth it.
English Heritage was involved throughout the process of creating the bespoke falconry centre, to ensure nothing was disturbed underground.
Passers-by walking the city walls will be able to get a, (pardon the pun) birds-eye view of the daily flying displays at the falconry centre, and head falconer Tommy McNally hopes the nature reserve next to it, which features bird boxes and bug hotels, will draw the families in as a picnic area and place for children to run around, play and explore natural habitats.
The opening of this brand new facility couldn’t be more exciting for Tommy and his capable assistant Sophie Pegg.
A veteran of falconry for more than 35 years, Tommy who previously managed Bridgemere Wildlife Park told me: “I’m absolutely loving working here, it’s great because I’ve spent years living out of a caravan with birds and now I’m getting to the age where I need a proper base.
“I have a passion for wildlife conservation but I’m especially devoted to birds of prey. Our centre will welcome families, children and young people and allow them to get close to and hold these magnificent birds in a magical setting in the heart of the city,” he said.
It’s a small centre - there are still about three more birds to arrive before it officially opens, and altogether there will be around 12-13 to see.
“With us having such a small collection it means every bird can fly free every day,” says Tommy. “Each and every bird has been hand-reared which helps them remain as stress-free as possible.”
Some of the birds who haven’t yet been named will be given monikers by members of the cathedral congregation, but some are already named, like Tinker the South African black vulture who according to Tommy is going to be a big star and is great with children.
Then there’s Indian/Bengali owl Mush, apparently a close friend of Vice Dean Canon Peter Howell-Jones, who Tommy tells me Mush has been pretty much trained by! You can also spend time with Bodge the barn owl imported from the Czech Republic, Pip the kestrel, Bram the lanner and Grace the golden eagle, whose 11lb weight nearly made me fall over when I held her.
What’s so impressive about the new centre is that it’s the first of its kind in Chester and is specifically designed for the birds. If you want an enjoyable family day out, it’s perfect, even if you don’t know much about birds (like me).
Chester Cathedral Falconry Centre and Nature Gardens officially opens on July 18 and will be open every Monday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. The site entrance fee of £10 per family and £3 per adult entitles you to explore the centre and the nature gardens, visit the birds of prey and watch daily outdoor flying displays.
Details of different experiences you can enjoy are available at www.chestercathedral.com
