David has been passionate about wildlife since he was a boy. His role as head of people and wildlife at Norfolk Wildlife Trust combined managing the Trust’s education and engagement, and conservation teams. The main factors that wildlife is in trouble are habitat loss, climate change, pollution, non-native invasive species and over exploitation of nature. […]
Conservation & ecology
A life with introduced animals: coypu, mink and mythical big cats (1974-2018)
Simon talks about his career with coypu, mink and other animals. I was born in Northamptonshire and, I suppose like most boys, I liked being outdoors. We had a family farm around where I lived, knew most of the people in the village, and I did things that you probably wouldn’t do now, like egg-collecting, […]
A Man of the Marshes (1947-2018)
Wally tells his story as the ‘King’ of the marshes. He is the last hand reedcutter and is leaving his legacy of knowledge to his sons. I was born in Rockland St Mary, in the old Post Office row, in 1947. I had two sisters and one brother. I just got one sister left now. […]
Broads History – Looking backward from forward (1973-2050)
Tim is professor emeritus of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia. He talks about the history of the Broads, the role of his research and more contemporary events, including national parks. I am a professor emeritus of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia [UEA]. I did my PhD on the Norfolk […]
Educating the younger generation about wildlife (1950s-2019)
Rodger was a motor engineer who became interested in wildlife in the 1990s and worked with young people through the RSPB’s Wildlife Explorers and outreach at Strumpshaw and Wheatfen, and across the marshes. He believes going into the education side of wildlife actually educated him more than anything else! Early days I was born in 1946 […]
Gamekeeper and conservationist (1960s-2018)
After being a part time gamekeeper on the Strumpshaw Hall estate Joe had the opportunity to become a full time game keeper at Buckenham.He describes the duties and responsibilities involved with this role. Early life and an introduction to wildlife I was born in Globe Lane, Blofield and went to Blofield School. Mr Matticks was […]
Looking back to move forward: The Wheatfen warden (2017-2019)
Will is the current warden of Wheatfen Nature Reserve, the Ted Ellis Trust. He has been there for nearly three years having taken over from David Nobbs in 2017. David spent 25 years managing the reserve, from soon after it was established. I’m not a true Norfolk born and bred local as such; I actually […]
Mission Impossible – coypu catching chronicles (1975-1989)
Ivan shares his memories of his time as a coypu trapper for Coypu Control on the East Anglian marshes. He details some background on coypu, the work involved with trapping, and the wonders of the marshes while working through all weather situations. I was a shopkeeper working 60 odd hours a week for the taxman […]
Preserving the fish stock (1980s-2019)
Steven spent many years visiting the Norfolk Broads to pursue his love of pike fishing. He moved there permanently six years ago and runs a tackle shop. He is very involved with preserving the fishing stock, in particular pike, for future generations. I was born in Luton in 1960, my parents both worked in the […]
Seven years a trapper – the coypu story (1982-2017)
Paul talks about his life as a coypu trapper, working on the marshes and the ten year eradication programme. He could have been the last Norfolk trapper to catch a coypu in Norfolk, in 1986. When I left school I wanted to be a gamekeeper, but unfortunately gamekeeper positions were few and far between. I applied […]