First ever Norfolk Bird Fair at Mannington Hall

Wildlife enthusiast and photographer Jill Wilson, from Norwich, who has organised the first ever Norfolk bird fair with her husband. Photo: ROBERT WILSON (Image: Archant)

The event, organised by husband and wife team Robert and Jill Wilson, will be happening at Mannington Hall on May 17-18.

Attractions will include lectures from wildlife enthusiasts, children's activities and photography and art workshops.

Proceeds from the fair will go towards conservation groups.

Mr Wilson, who is a professional birdwatcher and photographer along with his wife, said: 'Birdwatching has become massively popular. The scene has changed dramatically. We want to encourage as many people to come along as possible. Mannington Hall is a really nice venue.'

The couple live in Surlingham and have run Rapture Photographics, St John's Close, Norwich, for six years.

'The bird fair was something we have looked into for the past five years and it has snowballed,' he added.

Mr Wilson, 50, originally from Sudbury in Suffolk, first became interested in nature and birdlife when he was 21-years-old.

Since then he has travelled across Britain, including Norfolk.

During his birdwatching career he has spotted about 370 species including the red-breasted nuthatch at Holkham and the white-crowned sparrow at Cley.

He met Jill, 49, eight years ago at Rutland Bird Fair and the pair hope the Norfolk weekend will become an annual event.

Lectures will include a talk on Cley Marshes the Norwich Cathedral peregrine falcons.

Mannington Hall is between Aylsham and Holt, postcode NR11 7BB, and the fair will be held between 9am-5pm.

Visit www.norfolkbirdfair.com or call 01603 219119.

Do you have an interesting wildlife story? Email sophie.wyllie@archant.co.uk