CARNINGLI NEWPORT WI: The WI held its monthly meeting on September 8 at Newport Memorial Hall.

Carol Griffith introduced our speaker, Ian Farmer who is the owner of Walks with Hawks. He and his assistant had brought along two birds for us to see and hold.

Nature close up is totally awesome and inspiring and many of the members had the opportunity to hold Twiggy on their arm, or indeed have her perch on their head. Twiggy is the oldest of the team, and showed herself to be an old hand at meeting the public.

We also enjoyed looking at their second bird, a four-year-old female Harris Hawk. Harriet is an extremely powerful Harris Hawk and when in high speed pursuit of her chosen quarry she never gives up! For that reason, when a bat decided to join us, we firmly closed the committee room door, thus avoiding the potential for “a nature red in tooth and claw" moment. The interesting and most enjoyable evening was concluded with tea and biscuits wonderfully served, as ever, by the tea rota staff.

New members are always welcome and will be given a very warm welcome.