intrepid pony: Fifteen Questions for Andy Grigg, the owner of The Cornish Bird of Prey Centre

1 When did you first get interested in birds of prey?

At the very young age of ten but didn't get to own my own bird until I was 12.

2 What’s the best thing about running the Cornish Bird of Prey Centre?

Rescuing the many unwanted Birds/Animals and giving them a forever home here at the centre. Educating the public about the Art of Falconry and how things have changed over the years. Also getting to do what I love to do each day, Flying my Birds.

3 And what’s the worst?

Having to deal with unruly children. It's generally not the child's fault but the parents who want peace and quiet, so send the kids off to make their own fun. Kicking/Throwing stones around the centre, chucking food to the birds etc, just so the parents can sit, have a cup of tea in peace and constantly be on their phones. When you tell them what their child has been up to we then get a mouthful and get told you're not a child friendly establishment.

4 Have you ever had an embarrassing moment?

When flying the birds during displays and they decide they don't fancy chasing the lure and they want to show their real natural capabilities, and go off and catch a rabbit.

5 Do you offer education experiences for schools?

Yes we do offer educational trips into schools. We generally take a selection of birds with us.

6 Tell us about you working experience before you opened the centre.

Before purchasing the centre in 2007 we ran our own business called "Passage School of Falconry" where we worked all around the UK doing Displays at Country Shows and other tourist attractions, Falconry Experiences and School Talks.

7 Did you like bird or animal books when you were a child?

No, I was never very good at school. I didn't like being indoors, I just wanted to be out with my birds.

8 What did you want to be when you were twelve?

I always wanted to be a Falconer.

9 What is your proudest achievement?

Meeting my wife and having three lovely daughters.

10 What would you like to see happen in the future?

Stop the poaching of animals to the point of extinction and world peace.

11 What are your fondest memories?

Walking the dogs with my mum. She sadly passed away 2 years ago at only 57.

12 Tell us about your hobbies away from the birds.

I don't really have any hobbies, as the birds are my life. Having over 100 birds to care for day in and day out, I don't really have time for hobbies. I do however love dogs, especially watching gundogs working.

13 Where do you hope to be when you’re 70?

I would love to be retired and have my own croft up in Scotland. I know its never going to happen though as my wife and kids do not like the cold.

14 What would be your dream holiday? Again my dream holiday is to go to Scotland, in the middle of no-where, with nobody else around, just me and the birds.