Meet the Team
Luke Sorrell
Founder / CEOI created Wide Eyes Falconry after seeing how much my own children loved learning about birds of prey. With Angela’s experience in teaching children and my own hands on experience working with birds, it just made sense to bring our skills together.
We started small, with just a few children at a local youth club. As interest grew, we quickly outgrew the space and began working from home, continuing to welcome more children and families. Our programme kept growing, and eventually we needed a larger, dedicated space which led us to our current home at Evegate.
The main reason we continue is the children. Seeing their faces light up, watching them come out of themselves, grow in confidence, and thrive while learning new things makes it all worthwhile. We are passionate about supporting children from all backgrounds, giving every child the opportunity to connect with birds of prey, build confidence, and inspiring a new generation of falconers.
Angela Sorrell
Founder / Director
Growing up, my passion was always education, not falconry. That changed when I met my husband, Luke, whose deep love and knowledge of birds of prey became part of our family life. As our children grew, we saw first hand the positive impact working with the birds had on them developing patience, responsibility, confidence, and respect.
In 2014, we combined Luke’s falconry expertise with my teaching background to create opportunities for children to experience falconry in a supportive, inclusive environment. Over the years, I have watched children overcome anxieties, build confidence, and achieve things they never believed possible. The pride they feel in themselves is the reason i continue to do this work.
Our Team
Simon Davies
My volunteering began in 2017 following my son joing club and seven dangerous words, ill help out if you need anything!!!
Within minutes I was wearing a green uniform and holding a Harris Hawk. I spent most of that first day standing in an arena looking pretty and trying to hide the fact that the children around me were significantly more qualified falconers than I was.
Its been an eventful few years since that hawk induced panic. I've gone from a clueless sprog to teaching others and helping build the club from the ground up... quite literally.
We've migrated from the humble confines of Luke and Angela's back garden to the site we have today at Evegate, and ive managed to keep all my fingers in the process.
Nine years ago, Luke told me never to work with animals or children. Now I deal with talons and tantrums every week.
Honestly, the birds are quieter but watching the kids finally find their wings (excuse the pun.. ) is almost worth the hearing loss.
I came for the birds, but I stayed for the fellow lunatics. I’ve made lifelong friends who love helping others grow, and i would never look back.
Volunteer
Kathy Davies
I have been volunteering since 2017
After my son joined and my husband became a volunteer, I was asked by Angela to pop down for a cuppa and ive been part of the furniture ever since.
The club has a great sense of community and friendship and watching the children thrive and achieving their own personal goals makes us as a club proud we can offer this opportunity to all.
Volunteer
Volunteer
Jenson Sorrell
Falconry has always been part of my life thanks to my parents. When I first left school, I completed an apprenticeship in butchery and worked in our local butcher’s shop. I really enjoyed this role, but as my parents’ CIC developed and needed more support, I made the decision to help them.
I now work there full time and thoroughly enjoy what we do. My own confidence has grown alongside my knowledge of falconry, and I love being able to share this with the children we teach. Being part of the team is very important to me, and I hope I can help both the children and the team continue to grow. Sometimes having the youngest member of family on board brings a fresh perspective too.
Laura Hall
I have always had a love for wildlife and birds since childhood, but for me, birds of prey have always inspired a particular sense of awe.
After doing a few falconry experience days I completed my Raptor Awards qualification and joined the Wide Eyes team as a volunteer in 2022, primarily helping with the care and maintenance of the birds. I mean who wouldn’t enjoy flying these beautiful creatures in their spare time?
I joined the club last year for the British Falcon Races at Vowley and thoroughly enjoyed supporting the team successfully race their birds at such a fantastic event!
Volunteer
Andy Cridland
I started volunteering in Oct 2025, alongside my wife Gemma. I’ve always had an interest in owls, birds of prey and woodland sports. However, I could never find a club local when I was growing up, so this interest was never fulfilled in my younger years.
I stumbled across Wide Eyes after seeing a friend share a post on Facebook, our children are home educated, and we were looking for a club for them to join to build on their confidence and social skills. I asked the kids if this was something they would be interest in as they share our interest in birds and they said yes. After seeing a rapid and positive change in our children’s confidence and social skills, since they started at Wide Eyes back in April of the same year, I felt I wanted to give something back to the club. So, when I see Luke asking if anyone would be interested in volunteering, I put our names forward.
In my short time as a volunteer, I have enjoyed carrying out repairs around the site, making safe paths and boundaries for the children and have also helped to rebuild some aviaries for the new birds that have joined the club. I’m looking forward to continuing to help improve the site facilities and to learn more about Falconry, then being able to help with passing the knowledge I learn onto the club members in the future.
Wide Eyes has given myself and my whole family an open gate to learn, build confidence and make some lifelong friends.
Volunteer
Volunteer
Gemma Cridland
I began volunteering at the end of last year along with my husband. Our children were already attending the club, and we had watched how in less than a year their confidence and social skills had grown. They talk about club non-stop and always look forward to attending, so when Luke and Angela asked of anyone would like to volunteer, we jumped at the chance to help.
However, I never would have imagined that in volunteering I would make some amazing friends, who really are more like family. I look forward to going every week, especially now I am beginning to learn more about falconry, not just by Luke and Angela but by the children. The children’s enthusiasm for falconry is contagious and before you know it you want to learn a new skill or more about the history of falconry. What Luke and Angela have created here is something very special. It’s not just a club, but a safe place for children to develop skills, confidence, friendships and responsibilities. A place where everyone feels part of it and never left out. It’s a place where laughter is heard, and if there is shouting it’s over a quiz where those shouts are through excitement and knowledge. I look forward to continuing to grow my skills, so I can help others develop and grow. In all volunteering at Wide Eyes, was the best decision I’ve made.
Kiera Sorrell
When I was a baby, I struggled with my development and my parents were told that I would never walk or talk like other children. They never let that define me and always encouraged me to do the very best I could in life. I proved the doctors wrong.
I still have difficulties with understanding at times, but with support from those around me I find ways to work things out. Growing up, I watched my dad working with birds of prey and I fell in love with them, especially the baby birds. Dad let me help whenever he could, and through that I developed a real passion and respect for the birds.
Clubs were never something I felt able to join because I was anxious about how other people might look at me or judge me. So when my parents decided to start a children’s club, I was really excited.
Now I help them teach other children. I have made friends, grown in confidence, and I even have my own bird. Falconry has helped me believe in myself and shown me what I am capable of achieving.
Volunteer
Zoey
Wide Eyes has provided so much for me over the 11 years i’ve been here. When i joined, I wasn’t the most talkative and was instantly absorbed by the birds. Id spend every chance to go and see them all, I loved learning about and flying them, then my free time at home was spent going over facts and drawing them. Now I am alot more confident, i’ve made amazing friends and have 2 of my own birds. Club has built my confidence, taught me new skills, introduced me to amazing friends, and has introduced me a passion that I wish to have and use in my future careers. I’d be a completely different person than I am now if I hadn’t joined club, i’m so thankful for all the support and encouragement i’ve received, they truly are like a second family to me.
Young Leader
Young Leader
James
I’ve been practicing falconry for five years, developing hands-on experience in the care, training, and handling of birds of prey. What began as an interest quickly became a long-term commitment that taught me patience, consistency, and responsibility.
I now own my own falcon and manage all aspects of its care and training. Falconry has shaped how I approach challenges: paying attention to detail, staying disciplined, and understanding that progress comes from steady effort over time. Working so closely with an animal that depends on daily care has given me a strong sense of accountability and respect for the natural world.
Falconry has also opened the door to potential career paths, and I’m interested in continuing to grow my skills in professional and conservation-focused settings
Milly
I started at Wide Eyes Falconry kids club in the January of 2016 at the age of 8. Club has helped me to grow as a person, becoming more confident, more practical, and gaining some very interesting (if a little niche) knowledge about birds of prey. It has become such a big part of my life, I have met my best friends in the world through this club. Everyone here is like a family, supporting me in my endeavours and creating a welcoming environment. It truly changed my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Young Leader
Jess
I have been a member of Wide Eyes Falconry since 2016, when I was 8 years old. From Vowley falcon races to public displays and summer open days, I’ve grown my passion for falconry through hands-on experience, learning, and the amazing people around me. Kids club has always been a safe space, a second home, and a family. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.
Young Leader
Young Leader
Holly
I joined the club in 2016 at the age of six. When I first started, I was shy with very little confidence. Over the years, the club has helped me grow and I have performed several speeches and public displays. I have learned how to care for and handle many different birds of prey including falcons, vultures and owls. I have made lifelong friends here, and this club has become a second family to me. I really cannot imagine my life without it.
Annabelle
I started Wide Eyes in 2019 and I could not imagine not being a part of it. I was shy when I joined, but my confidence picked up quickly as Angela helped me.
As I have grown up I have gained more and more confidence as well as making a lot of new friends.
Young Leader
Aiden
Eleven years ago, I started my early career in falconry, which later extended to become my life goal: to own and train a bird of prey and put eleven years of learning to the test. This can only be described as fulfilling. Of course, going from training the clubs birds to owning my own bird can be daunting, but I look forward to the challenge and am confident of my success- I believe that years of guidance from wide eyes will take me far and provide me with a promising future in falconry. On a more personal level falconry has become a second family to me helping me with physical,educational,and emotional issues inside and out of falconry and helped me choose the right path and guide me far in life.
Best choice I ever made
Young Leader
Young Leader
Bradley
Falconry is a massive thing in my life, and flying birds of prey is an amazing experience. To bond with such majestic creatures is truly a privilege but one of the best things about this club is that it makes the sport open for everyone. Exclusivity is not on their agenda, and when I joined at 7 years old I was no different from the many others that had come before me- no prior experience and yet a hunger for knowledge. Since that day I have risen through the ranks and I now maintain the position of young leader, earned after attending for nigh on 6 years. It is great fun and a worthwhile life skill, and I would recommend it to all.
Daniel
blah blah
Young Leader
Joel
I Love Wide Eyes Falconry because I enjoy working with birds of prey and learning about them. Being there for the past five years has helped me improve my confidence, as each experience has taught me new skills and made me feel more comfortable trying new things.
Young Leader
Young Leader
Will
I think other kids should join Wide Eyes Falconry because it’s an amazing opportunity to work closely with birds of prey. I’ve been involved for 10 years, and it's been such a rewarding experience. You get to learn about these incredible birds, their behavior, and how to care for them, while also gaining valuable skills like patience, responsibility, and respect for nature. The people there are friendly and supportive, and it's a great community to be a part of. If you love animals and want to connect with wildlife in a meaningful way, Wide Eyes Falconry is the perfect place to be!