Information for sponsors
Mission: To bring together, in a spirit of brotherhood and mutual co-operation, the world’s falconers with a view to protecting and promoting this ancient heritage and culture for future generation.
Where: Englefield Estate, Theale, Near Reading, England.
The Englefield Estate is a lovely country house with a walled deer park, home to MP Richard Benyon and Zoe Benyon who have been our generous and hospitable hosts in the past. The grounds have three polo fields and a lake in a very picturesque setting.
When: 10-12th July 2009. International Falconers start arriving on site from 6th July to erect their traditional tents and gers. Friday 10th July is a restricted entry for Free entry for Schools. Saturday and Sunday 11th and 12th July are ticketed public days.
Who: There will be Falconers from about 40 countries including England, Scotland, Wales, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Germany, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China, Korea, Japan, Croatia, Italy, Macedonia, Georgia, Portugal, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Pakistan, India, South Africa, Slovakia, Tunisia, Morocco, Brazil, Argentina, USA, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Czech Republic and Hungary.
Why Sponsor? Falconry bridges social divides. It bridges nations, politics, religion, class, gender and levels of wealth. In this celebratory Festival we are trying to pull together people from many nations to create a better understanding of one another and to appreciate each other’s different perspectives. This includes technology transfer, international commerce and international travel, all within a framework of culture and heritage. This creates opportunities for organisations to contribute, either on a commercial level, or on a social, ambassadorial level. This is a chance to meet and make contacts with significant people from many countries.
Which elements need sponsorship? We are looking for many elemets to be sponsored.
Hosts: The UK Hawk Board. This is the umbrella body representing all falconry organisations in UK, established by the UK government in 1980. The Festival Committee is run as a not-for-profit Company.
How many: The Festival will be the largest international gathering of falconers ever held. We estimate that there will be some 3,000 active falconers, many with their birds of prey, dogs or horses. There will be about 8-10,000 general public over the two days.
Access: Englefield is a few minutes from Reading by car, bus or taxi. About 50 minutes by car from central London. About 30 minutes by Railair link from Heathrow Airport. Convenient to Channel Tunnel and Ferries. It is 5 minutes from the M4 motorway at Junction 12.
Sponsor Interests: Falconry, international travel and tourism, heritage, history, art, culture wildlife management and conservation.
Arena events: There will be a seamless programme of arena events based on different cultures and periods of history as well as modern falconry. These events are given by different groups and nations. They conclude with a Grand Parade of Nations.
UNESCO: The event is a showcase of culture and heritage and will be attended by delegates from the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Culture and Heritage. The United Arab Emirates is preparing a multi-national submission to UNESCO for Falconry to be recognised on the Representative List of the world’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Visitor Profile: We expect visitors from all backgrounds, including VIPs from many of the countries, and representatives of the UAE Royal Family.
Social: Each nation has its own camp at the Festival. There is a Steppe Village of yurts and gers from Central Asia, an Arab Village of Bedouin tents, and many national tents and exhibits with their own campfires. People wear their national dress, have exhibitions of art and materials, cook their national dishes and create their national music. They either bring with them their own trained birds of prey, or are lent hawks, falcons and eagles by generous UK falconers supporting them as guests. In the evening there is a social event for all nations to mix together in music, dance and food.
Educational: There are sponsored marquees covering Heritage, Conservation, Art and Education, as well as international veterinarians holding workshops and caring for the array of birds of prey, horses, dogs and camels brought by participants.
Sponsors receive, depending upon the level of sponsorship:
1. Free tickets.
2. A display sign or banner at the sponsored item, where appropriate.
3. A grass site for corporate hospitality.
4. An entry in the Festival Programme.
5. A 1x3 metre display allocation in the Main Arena.
6. Potential inclusion in Festival publicity.
Publicity: Some UK Press cuttings are enclosed. We received extensive international coverage including TV films in several countries.
How to sponsor: Contact Miss Charlotte Hill 00 44 (0)1733 840597 Charlotte Hill is the Sponsorship Co-ordinator.