Western Morning News (Saturday)
FALCONER’S BATTLE TO SAVE HIS BIRDS
ADEVON falconer says he faces having to sell some of his high-value birds of prey to keep his business afloat unless urgent funds are raised, after the coronavirus lockdown wiped out all sources of income over the last four months.
Martin and Philippa Whitley, owners of Dartmoor Hawking, offer a range of introductions to eagles, falcons, hawks and owls for pre-booked clients, including horseback falconry experiences with their team of ex-racehorses.
The couple also travel the country to deliver displays and talks at a number of agricultural shows and other events, and thrill wedding guests with eagle appearances and ring-bearing services.
But following the lockdown in March, Dartmoor Hawking, based in Loddiswell near Kingsbridge, lost its entire diary of bookings in one fell swoop.
Martin, who started the business in 2001, said: “Together, Philippa and I have developed a very special business over 20 years, bringing the joy of our unique falconry experiences to many people. Our team has a strong bond which we’ve built with much love and passion over many years, which is critical for us to be able to offer what we do.
“But the Covid-19 pandemic has hit us hard and we lost our summer season … Like everyone else we had to close our doors in March, with no possibility of being able to reopen on the horizon. But keeping the team fed and watered never stops and we are starting to run on fumes at this point.
“We’re getting to the stage where we shall have to sell some of our high-value birds in the next weeks just to stay afloat, if the situation doesn’t change. To break up the team would be a devastating loss personally and damaging to our business.”
Martin points out that Dartmoor Hawking has not been eligible for any financial support from the Government during the pandemic, because the business recorded a trading loss in the last three years.
According to newly-formed organisation, Excluded UK, at least three million small business owners, self-employed, freelancers and employees have been entirely or largely excluded from support measures made available by the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak. That equates to 10% of the working population.
Martin had been expecting a bounce back loan through his bank, Tide, but the company recently announced that it was stopping lending – leaving around 70,000 customers in the lurch.
Martin explained: “In 2015 I was diagnosed with lymphoma and had to undergo treatment for that. Being self-employed there was no support there for me at the time, so I had to try and keep the business running while undergoing treatment which was, I have to say, very hard. But we made it through that and the business started doing really well for itself again.
“So in 2018 we invested everything we could back into it to improve even more on what we were doing. This meant our threeyear trading profits, trading
‘We’re completely left out in the cold, with no government support’ MARTIN WHITLEY, FALCONER
income over that time, was absolutely non-existent in the balance. We’re completely left out in the cold, there’s no Government support, no support for us in any way, through no fault of our own.”
Now working together with Excluded UK and Funding Hubs, Dartmoor Hawking have launched an online fundraising campaign, with nearly £4,000 of the £15,000 targeted already donated.
Supporters can get involved by simply donating or claiming a range of perks worth between £10 for a personalised thank you on social media, to £3,000 for a never before offered ‘Dartmoor Dream’ experience, staying locally and spending a weekend with the team.
Opportunities to sponsor some of Dartmoor Hawking’s best-loved birds are also on offer, including Rosie the mighty Bald eagle.
Martin added: “We want to be here for years to come, introducing our hawks, horses and knowledge to others.
“As the only place that delivers falconry from horseback, we believe we have something really special to offer.”
For further details and to donate, visit go.fundinghubs.com/ DartmoorHawking