Last chance to see falconry display by West Berks falconer Ray Prior on farewell tour

Local falconer Ray Prior is bringing his falconry display to Aldworth Recreation Ground, by the village hall in Bell Lane, Aldworth on Saturday, August 17, in what will be one of his last public displays.

He will be at the ground from 10.30am and flying his birds at 11am.

Organiser Dawn Morris said: “Ray’s sense of humour and love for his birds has led to his popular shows being in demand across the South of England for the last 36 years.

“Once travelling to 40 shows a year and ably assisted by his wife Pauline, Ray is now looking towards retirement.

“The seed for his passion was sown when as a young boy he found an injured kestrel on the Aldworth Downs.

“This interest grew following a motorcycle crash several years later.

“The convalescing Ray, then a teenager, took on another kestrel with a broken wing, nursing it back to health while he recovered from his own injuries.

“As he learnt his craft, Ray could only find books on birds of prey at his local library, but none on falconry.

“This didn’t hold him back and in 1971 he trained his first bird, becoming a full-time falconer in 1988, a profession that has brought both Ray and his audiences enormous joy.”

Announcing 2024 as his very last farewell tour, this is a wonderful opportunity to see Mr Prior and his birds in action.

He enjoys supporting his local communities and has offered his time to raise funds for they medieval St Mary’s Church, Aldworth, the village where it all started.

During the show there will be a collection for the church, which houses the 14th-century Aldworth Giants stone effigies, and Mr Prior has asked visitors to give generously.