Phillip Glasier

Phillip Edward Brougham Glasier (22 Dec 1915 – 11 September 2000) was Britain's leading expert on hawking and falconry. Glasier initiated a new interest in falconry in both the UK and the United States of America. He spent much of his life involved with the conservation and breeding of raptors and bringing them to public attention through the foundation of the Falconry Centre (now the International Centre for Birds of Prey), Newent, Gloucestershire, as well as through books, lectures and public demonstrations. He founded the Hawk Trust (now the Hawk and Owl Trust) with John Burkett and the Raptor Breeders' Association.[1][2]

Glasier (right) with colleagues on a trip to the Middle East in 1963

Early life

Glasier was born in Southfields in south-west London, where his father was a land agent. Around 1920 the family moved to Kent and later to Suffolk where he spent his childhood. A great influence on his life at that time was a step-uncle, Captain Charles Knight, a respected ornithologist and falconer who encouraged the young Glasier's interest in nature and wildlife. Charles Knight lived a short distance from Glasier's home outside Sevenoaks. As a child and teenager Glasier spent much time with his uncle learning about wildlife and in particular birds of prey. With his cousin, the actor Esmond Knight, he took part in a number of amateur films made by Charles Knight. Such was his skill at handling birds that when his uncle went away on an expedition he left his young nephew in charge of an African hawk-eagle.

On leaving school Glasier went to work in his father's land agency business.[2] [3]

Second World War

During WWII Glasier was an instructor in the Royal Armoured Corp. He was stationed initially at Bovington Camp in Dorset, and while waiting for a commission he became an instructor for arms and then tanks. He finally went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as a gunnery instructor. Glasier was demobilised in 1950 after 6 years' service.[2]

Middle years

His father had died during his period of military service and he was unable to return to his former employment. He set up as a press photographer in London but found it unsatisfactory and moved to Salisbury, where he set up a photography shop specialising in bird photographs.[1] At this time Peter Scott was starting the Severn Wildfowl Trust (now the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust) and Glasier sent him a photograph of a mallard, hoping that Scott might buy it. He not only bought it but commissioned Glasier to take more photographs at the Wildfowl Trust, something he did on annual visits.[2]

In 1953 Glasier took a minor part as the 'Royal Falconer' in a film called The Sword and the Rose. His role involved flying falcons to add authenticity to the drama.[2][4] This film starred James Robertson Justice who was later to invite Glasier to be his personal falconer. He was also responsible for the flying of falcons for the film Knights of the Round Table starring Ava Gardner and Robert Taylor.[4]

Shortly after this Glasier and his family moved to Black Isle, Inverness, Scotland to take up James Robertson Justice's offer of employment. Further falconry work was provided for an episode of a 1959 TV series called Three Golden Nobles.[4] Later he returned to Melbury Osmond in Dorset, south-west England, returning annually to Scotland for the shooting season to fly his birds for, among others, Prince Philip and Charles, Prince of Wales. In 1963 he undertook an overland trek to the Middle East and India in search of Hodgson's hawk eagles (Nisaetus nipalense). The trip was undertaken with his friend Peter Combe in an ancient Austin Gypsy.[5]

In 1963 Glasier wrote the autobiographical As The Falcon Her Bells (title from Shakespeare's As You Like It, act III, scene iii.) recalling his early life and his influential uncle. In 1965 Glasier went to the Royal Navy Air Station in Lossiemouth, Scotland to demonstrate how trained raptors could be used to prevent bird strikes on planes by clearing the runways of seagulls and other birds. This was the first time that falcons had been used in this way.[5]

Later years

In 1966 Glasier moved from Dorset to Gloucester, opening the Falconry Centre in May 1967[6] His intention was that the public would have close access to raptors, witness their handling through flying displays and be more aware of their ecological value. At that time there was a general feeling that many raptors were destructive pests.[2] The centre grew and developed a successful breeding program of many birds that had not previously been bred in captivity.[3] In 1982 Glasier retired to Scotland to escape the newly passed Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: he continued to fly his birds and also wrote another autobiographical book, A Hawk in the Hand. He later returned to Gorsley in Gloucestershire.

Family

Phillip Glasier's first marriage to Valerie Pedler, by whom he had two sons and a daughter, was dissolved. His second marriage was in 1949, to "Bill" Lees. She died in 1998. They had three daughters and a son, Jemima, Anna, Dinah and Nicholas.[7]

Bibliography
  • As the Falcon Her Bells, Phillip Glasier, Heinemann, 1963. ISBN 1-4995-5778-7
  • Guide to Falconry and Hawking, Phillip Glasier, B.T. Batsford, London, 1986, ISBN 0-7134-5555-1
  • A Hawk in the Hand, Phillip Glasier, Robinson Publishing, London, 1990, ISBN 1-85487-074-2

References
  1. Daily Telegraph |
  2. As The Falcon Her Bells, Phillip Glasier, Futura Publications Ltd., London. 1978, ISBN 0-7088-1331-3.
  3. New York Times
  4. IMDB
  5. A Hawk in the Hand, Phillip Glasier, Robinson Publishing, London, 1990, ISBN 1-85487-074-2
  6. International Centre for Birds of Prey
  7. International Centre for Birds of Prey – history
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