It's been a bit quiet on the blog front lately but that's only because we've been out and about doing what Skydancer was designed to do - bringing hen harriers to the people! So far, we've attended the Newcastle Green Festival, Northumberland County Show, Cumberland Show and the Glendale Children's Day. Not including the children's day (at which I completely lost count!), we've given out over 240 hen harrier leaflets, 233 hen harrier stickers and 194 children have made their very own flapping paper hen harriers to take away!
As usual, the puppets were the star attractions and having them on display really brought home how few people can recognise or have even heard of a hen harrier. Frequent refrains of "I like your owls," provided a good conversational hook, "Yes, they do look quite like owls. They're actually hen harriers but they hunt in quite a similar way..." and so it went. One small girl was less enamoured though, and told me in no uncertain terms that "Harry and Henrietta" would never work as names. If we wanted children to like the puppets, they would have to be called "Harry and Hermione" because that was "more magical"! I stand corrected.
The great thing about events like these is that no two days are the same and each attracts its own particular audience. Across the five days, I've chatted with all sorts of people - urban, rural, hippy, corporate, young, old, pro-shooting and anti-shooting - and the amazing thing is not a single one of those conversations was negative (about hen harriers I mean - we received at least one good rant about badgers and magpies)! Once we explained the situation currently facing hen harriers and what we're hoping to achieve through Skydancer, everyone we spoke to agreed that it would be wonderful to see more hen harriers and that "something should be done" to protect and encourage them. Already, I can feel the momentum buliding and just you wait - we're only getting started!
Next stop - West Cumbria Game Fair, 14-15th July, Keswick... come say hi!
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