THERE WERE howls of exaltation at the Owl and Monkey Haven last week when they won the Chamber of Commerce’s Best New Business Award.
Sponsored by Glanvilles Solicitors and presented by Tom Stroud of IW Radio, the award was made at the Chamber’s annual awards at Cowes Yacht Haven last Friday (November 26) where X Factor winners Diva Fever performed.
Owner David Wickes was over the moon. “We’re dead chuffed,” he said of the hard won award. “It’s taken the best part of a decade to get this Haven together and it’s a nice award.
“It’s great that at last someone has recognised the effort that has been put in by myself and my wife Kelly and her father Don Walser and his brother Antony,” said David.
This year saw the Haven having to fight for the lives of two Siamangs. The two primates had nowhere else to go and a local councillor tried to have them removed from the premises, arguing that the duo howled too loudly, although David says they do not howl loudly at all.
“We’re the last port of call for many of the monkeys who come here,” said David. “Usually they have disabilities or are too old, which is why we had to fight so hard for the Saimangs – they had nowhere else to go and would have had to be put down if we didn’t win the right to keep them.”
Don Walser used to work with the RSPCA on their breed and release programme for Barn Owls. He had always loved the Island and the family purchased Five Acres Farm in 2000, beginning a long process that saw the Haven begin to be built in 2004/2005.
The Haven finally opened in April this year and boasts an Education building for visiting school groups along with the feathered and furry charges.
‘This is the first positive thing that has happened to us in ten years,” said David. “Hopefully from now on everything will be good.”
The Haven is remaining open throughout the winter and through the Christmas period with a Christmas gift shop, guided elf tours and Christmas workshops to make seasonal decorations.
“Our newly opened Wise Owl Education Lodge is decorated with a Christmas twist and children are welcome to take part in festive activities and learn more about our animals,” said a Haven spokesperson.
