Event of the week: The International Festival of Falconry

Looking for something to do this weekend? Then don't miss the second International Festival of Falconry taking place at the Enfield Estate, near Reading, Berkshire, today, Saturday and Sunday.

Organisers, the UK Hawk Board (the umbrella body for UK falconers), and sponsors, Emirates Falconers’ Club, are expecting more than 10,000 people over the weekend. 

The event will bring together people from 50 nations representing Europe, Arabia, Central and Southern Asia and South America. There will be displays, parades and opportunities to learn and share knowledge about falconry and a wide range of falconry-related activities including breeding, training, desert culture, wildlife conservation and leather craft.

Some of the highlights:

Royal Gift: His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan will present Prince Andrew with the gift of a gyrfalcon at the festival on Sunday. Grand Parade: Each day the Festival will close with a grand parade, where representatives from the different nations will participate in traditional costume, with their hawks, falcons and eagles in a heart-stopping display of common purpose and love of sport. Children’s day: 500 local school children will visit the festival today and watch displays and receive tuition. The BBC’s Springwatch presenter Chris Packham will give a presentation about falconry in the main grandstand at 12.15. UNESCO: The Emirates Falconers’ Club is spearheading the international submission to UNESCO for falconry to be recognised as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. The festival will give the club the opportunity to engage with the attending UNESCO delegation and showcase the many facets of falconry on display.

For more information, including ticket prices, visit the official website.