Events
Kite ramble at Gibside
Occasionally Friends of Red Kites support other associations and here, at Gibside, National Trust Members were escorted on a Kite Ramble, in glorious weather.
Judy Summerson reports:
As the kites were flying so high, we went on the new skywalk which goes from the West Wood behind the stables up to Cut Thorn farm. The views were magnificent, but alas we saw no kites. Everyone enjoyed the walk and agreed they had been to parts of Gibside they had never explored before.
Images courtesy of Judy Summerson
FoRK information event at Queen's Hall, Hexham - 12th November
Image courtesy of David Jones
Six FoRK members set up an information stall in the foyer with the help of Geoff Keys(Events Manager). We were joined by Nick Adams, Area Conservation Manager for RSPB and Colin Heath, Wildlife Officer for Northumbria Police. This was to follow up our 'Think kite - Act Right' campaign launched in the Hexham area in March. We continue to raise awareness of the dangers facing red kites as they disperse from the core area in the lower Derwent valley.
Here, with Marian, a youngster looks at one of our Pop-up banners, Nick Adams RSPB looking on.
We talked to over 400 members of the public who were horrified tohear about the poisoning of Red Kites and other wildlife in the Hexham area. The team worked well in the farmers' market and the Queens Hall. Colin and Nick provided welcome extra expertise and support .
Images courtesy of June Atkinson
We made contact with several school personnel in the course of the session. We are continuing to look for schools and other groups who would welcome a presentation from Fork, especially in this area of Northumberland. A successful event thanks to the contribution of everyone involved.
New information about our red kites is continually being added to this website; come back soon!
Members evening - November 9th 2011
Forty-one members attended a social evening at the Marquis of Granby pub near Sunniside. We invited Doug Simpson, who led the Yorkshire reintroduction , to give a presentation about his work.
We enjoyed an amusing account of the challenges facing Doug and gained a new insight into his work in Yorkshire with the red kites. Here, June Atkinson thanks Doug for this insight into his valuable work.
We then enjoyed a 'substantial' hot meal and dessert. A huge thank you to Sue and her staff for the warm welcome and for making our evening so successful.
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Presentations by Friends of Red Kites
2009 - 2011
Presenters: Sylvia Jones, Judy Summerson, Harold Dobson
Presentations have been made to groups throughout the region, as the map above illustrates. The groups vary in size and age, but all have appreciated the opportunity of learning more about our majestic red kites.
2009
Whitley Bay, Rowlands Gill (4), North Shields, Bishop Middleham, Spennymoor, Beamish, Sunderland, Winlaton Mill, Wallsend, Hexham, Jesmond Dene, Saltwell Park, Barnard Castle, Saltholme, Prudhoe, Westerhope, Burnopfield, Whickham, Gateshead, Chester-le-Street, Gosforth, West Pelton, Matfen, Washington, Durham, Newburn.
2010
Kirkley Hall, Great North Museum, Whickham, Ponteland, Houghton-le-Spring, Chapel House, Rainton Meadows, Longhorsley, Cullercoats, Low Barnes, Horsley, Alnwick, Consett , Darlington, Jesmond, Ponteland, Whickham, Whitley Bay, Tyneside, Blackhall Mill, Bowmont House, Durham.
2011
Sedgefield, (4), Horsley (2), Durham, Hexham, Gosforth, Blaydon, Gosforth, Darlington, Whickham, Blanchland, Humshaugh, Morpeth (Lancaster Park), Winlaton Mill, Longhirst, Cramlington, Gateshead, Ashington, Chopwell (2), Gibside (2), Cleveland RSPB, Ryton, Acomb, Denton Burn.
Booked:
Hexham, Consett, Sacriston, Gosforth, Wallsend, Chester-le-Street
2012: Haydon Bridge, Newcastle, Ulgham, Bamburgh, Featherstone, Gateshead, Gosforth.
Friends of Red Kites Information Event
SATURDAY, 12th NOVEMBER 2011
10a.m. - 2.30p.m. at Queen's Hall, Hexham
Come along and learn about our Tynedale Initiative.
Everyone is welcome
ROOST WATCH
Wednesday 13th October 2011.
"Friends of Red Kites organised a Roost watch, by request, for the Friends of Prudhoe Woods (FoPW) .
12 FoPW members assembled at 17.00 at Winlaton Mill car park and, accompanied by three FoRK team members, walked through Derwenthaugh Park to the nine arches viaduct where we had super views of up to nine kites circling before coming into roost at Paddock Hill wood.
Image courtesy of Harold Dobson
We plan to hold a similar roost watch which will be open to the general public on 4th February 2012.
Occasionally, Friends of Red Kites support other groups.
Friends of Red Kites attended the Forest Discovery Day at Chopwell Woods on Sunday 11th September.
Despite the gusty conditions and our gazebo nearly taking off, we were pleased to inform and talk to the low number of visitors about the red kites in the lower Derwent Valley.
Report and photo courtesy of Harold Dobson
ForestFestivals
Ashington 3rd September 2011
On a damp Saturday morning we were given one of the best site positions in the forest. A number of willing volunteers helped us to to erect our gazebo including a huge forestry trained horse which brought us logs. Our stall was impressive with the pop ups, the banner and the kite pictures. We were opposite the catering van which tormented us throughout the day with the smell of all day breakfasts and other fast food.
We had a steady stream of visitors and, as this was new territory, many people did not know about the kites but were very enthusiastic when informed.
Other exhibitors were very interesting - BTCV doing new pathways, using an ecobike to make healthy fruit smoothies, scout and guide camp, forestry clearing using the horse and Norhumberland Wildlife Trust with a range of activities.
Stanleywas keen to give us his personal tour of the site to show what had been achieved. We thoroughly enjoyed this new experience and the weather stayed dry until the final half hour.
Sylvia Jones
Friends of Red Kites attended the Festival and supported the Friends of Ashington Community Woods.
Volunteers spoke to visitors about the Red Kites and children enjoyed the various activities provided.
Images courtesy of Harold Dobson
images courtesy of David Jones
Chopwell Fire Station Family Day Sunday, 4th September 2011
On a bright sunny day there was lots of activity at the fire station. There were community stalls, information stalls including FoRK,and all the emergency services were there. The displays by the firemen were very exciting and informative - the children and many of the adults (ourselves included) loved them.
Nearly everyone we talked to saw kites from their own garden(lucky people!). They were able to give us information about the kites they saw regularly.
This was a fascinating day with lots of contact with local people.
For an account of a special Health Walk, go to the Health Walks page.............................
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Blaydon Rugby Club June 29th 2011
32 members attended the AGM. Reports were given and officers were elected. Allan Withrington resigned his post as secretary. Harold Dobson was nominated and accepted the post as secretary. Allan was thanked for his hard work over the last two years. Allan will remain on the committee with a responsibility for policies and procedures.
Ken gave us a confectionery picture quiz and the buffet supper was served.Once again we enjoyed the opportunity to chat to friends old and new.Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended.
Sylvia Jones
SUNDAY, 15th MAY 2011
We joined in the North Pennines Big Bird Watch Family Day, Blanchland.
Four volunteers went to Blanchland early on Sunday, May 15th. We set up an impressive stall with Friends of Red Kites information, photographs, T shirts and children's activities then eagerly waited for members of the public!
Sadly, the weather was poor so few people visited us. We talked to 39 people in 6 hours but we had a great time with the other exhibitors. We shared ideas with the people we did talk to and made masks with the children.
Three more volunteers manned the stall so we could enjoy lunch at the local tea shop. Three volunteers joined us in the afternoon.
Thank you to all who joined us and we wish North pennines AONB great success with future events.
LAUNCH OF OUR CAMPAIGN IN TYNEDALE
Click HERE for a photo record of our Campaign launch on Saturday, 12th March.
Here, members of our Friends of Red Kites group display the new image boards.
Seven photographers have donated their work so that we could have weather-proof, aluminium composite image boards for use at Events and at Presentations. We are grateful to SignsSignsSigns of Swalwell and especially to Mark Heron for the quality and efficiency with which they processed our order.
From top left, images are by Paul Ratcliffe, Ken Sanderson, Steve Ashton, Thomas Melton, then in front, from the left, Jamie MacArthur, Vicky King and Tony Belsham.
Spectacular Roost Watch
At 3.30 p.m. on Saturday February 5th 42 members and friends met at Nine Arches Viaduct.Several single birds were seen flying around but,as the skies darkened slightly and time passed,more red kites appeared.
We had superb views of 8 kites flying near the viaduct and 13 kites perched together on a pylon.Then towards 5.00 p.m.there were 17 birds flying together.What a privilege to see such a fantastic sight.
It was a wonderful social occasion, with lots of excited chatter and good humour. Eight boy scouts joined us as part of their Naturalist Badge.They had superb views of perched kites through our telescopes,helped to identify wing tags and asked many questions about the kites.The scouts and everyone there enjoyed a brilliant wildlife experience.
Thank you Red Kites for a textbook Roost!
A presentation by Sylvia Jones, with her husband David, at Cullercoats Gentlemen's Group
Friends of Red Kites Members' night - November 10th 2010
Once again our loyal members assembled at Chaplins for a social evening and buffet supper.
We enjoyed a quiz during the buffet and then Marian introduced the new outdoor wear with our Friends of Red Kites logo.These were received with enthusiasm and many new orders were placed.
It is always a pleasure when our new members are welcomed by our old friends.
Event at Gibside, National Trust
Gibside Red Kite Walk September 18th 2010
On a bright morning 14 walkers and 4 leaders enjoyed a very interesting walk through the grounds of Gibside Estate.There were excellent sightings of red kites from the Orangery where the birds flew directly overhead.
We were also given interesting information about Gibside as we walked to the stables for a coffee stop. We went into the bird hide, then walked back along the Avenue.
Image courtesy of Tom Melton
We then browsed around the farmers market.Once again we had enjoyed a good walk in excellent company and made some new friends!
This ramble coincided with a Farmers' Market , at which Wylam Brewery were selling the Ruby Ale Northern Kite, created to celebrate the success of the Northern Kites Project 2004-09.
If you go into the Café and Shop, there are gifts inspired by our Red Kites.
Rena Holford's finds her inspiration for her sculptured glass kites here in the Derwent Valley, and in the Chilterns, Helen Olive has gained a wide reputation both for her work with the Chilterns Kites Group and for her photography.
For Rena go to http://www.hagghillglass.co.uk/ and for Helen go to http://www.redkites.net
and also, a date for your diary.....................
Annual General Meeting Wednesday, 30th June 2010
42 enthusiastic members attended the FoRK AGM. Was it the exciting business meeting, the fantastic red kite game with brilliant prizes or in fact the excellent Chaplin's buffet that attracted everyone?
Prizes were awarded to the winners of the Red Kite Drive:
It was wonderful to see so many members. We enjoyed a warm and friendly social evening.
We take delivery of our new Pop-up Banners.
If you attend our indoor Events, you will see our two new Pop-Up Banners, designed by our Graphics Team Patrick and Karen Malone, using photographs by Ian Curran and produced by Chromazone of Team Valley. Here Ken Sanderson, Chairman and Kite Officer for FoRK, accompanied by Sylvia Jones, Events and Presentations Officer, is officially taking delivery of them from Alan Coates, Production Controller.
Image courtesy of David Jones
A presentation entitled "The Kites' Return" is available for any interested groups. Please get in touch, using our Mailbox.
Monday, 17 May 2010
A Presentation was given about the Kites by Sylvia Jones, for CHADCA Centre on Chapel House Estate.
Recent Presentations:
in Whickham, below, and in Ponteland for the RNLI group
Images courtesy of David Jones
Safari on Wednesday, 17th March
Another successful Safari took place on Wednesday, 17th March. Thirty-nine members of three U3A groups in Guisborough, Redcar and Saltburn arrived at the Black horse in Barlow Village, where they were welcomed by Volunteers of the Friends of Red Kites. They were delayed as a satnav error on their coach led to a car having to be sent out to escort them from High Spen into Barlow village.
Steve Lancaster, the proprietor, had prepared coffee and tea, freshly-cooked scones, home-made strawberry jam and cream, all of which were eagerly consumed. FoRK Volunteer Marian Williams was there to welcome them and to act as a guide on the Safari, which was led by FoRK Chairman, Ken Sanderson. Allan Withrington, FoRK Secretary, and Jackey Lockwood also joined the Safari Team.
Sylvia Jones welcomed the visitors and gave a short introduction about our Red Kites. The group then gathered outside the pub, ready to tackle a six-mile section of the Red Kite Trail, which finished at Gibside.
The walk began in the direction of Thornley Kennels and as they descended, the group enjoyed some spectacular views across the valley to Gibside.
Leaving Thornley Kennels
Later they enjoyed vistas to the east, taking in the Sage Gateshead and both the Millenium and Tyne Bridges. The group was rewarded with superb views of red kites on the way round and the break at Thornley Woodland for packed lunch provided close-up views of many woodland birds at the feeding tables.
Watch these majestic birds as they enjoy the thermals in the skies above the Derwent valley.
Red Kite Safari. 13th February Alan Brannon reports:
Fourteen optimistic souls met up at Barlow for the Red Kite Safari on Saturday morning. Once introductions were made and right on cue at 10.30, it started to rain.
Undeterred we were rewarded with our first sight of a Kite circling even before we had left the car park. In the grey showery conditions we rather thought that might be our last sighting, but as we headed across country we were lucky to have a great view of an untagged bird on a fence post. Very obligingly it stayed put, giving excellent views.
The weather improved greatly during the two-hour walk and one brave member even stripped to his tee shirt!
Thanks to our intrepid leader, Marian, we all had a great outing with lovely views. Oh, did I mention the mud?
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Group out on Safari . Images: courtesy of Allan Withrington
In addition to seeing the red kites, there is a wealth of other fauna throughout the Valley.
Images courtesy of J. Atkinson, I. Forrest, A. Mould
Would you like to see the kites, but can't walk the distance? Become a member of Gateshead Shopmobility and then you can book a mobility scooter, collecting and returning it to Swalwell Visitor Centre by the required time. This is usually between 10a.m. and 3p.m.
A FoRK member by Clockburn Lake, Derwent Country Park
Annual Membership is £5 and the hire charge for a full day is £4.00. 2 Scooters are kept at the Derwent Walk Country Park. This is one way to get mobile and keep up with the kites!
images June Atkinson
Guide to using your scooter in the Derwent Country Park.
Contact: 0191 4779888 or gateshead.shopmobility@btconnect.com