12/09/2009Once described as the father of conservation - Sir Peter Scott's legacy has undoubtedly ensured many habitats have been protected and future generations inspired to preserve the natural world.
For six years he lived in a lighthouse in the heart of the Fens, where he painted dramatic oil works of the wildfowl which flocked to a remote Lincolnshire outpost at Sutton Bridge, and he later founded the wetlands at Welney.
Today, exactly 100 years after he was born, the Welney Wetland Trust will be among a number of organisations across the country marking his centenary.
A trail through the reserve, which takes visitors through his life as an ornithologist, conservationist and artist, has been set up this month, and this afternoon staff at the centre will cut a cake to mark the occasion.
Sir Peter's daughter Daflia, who followed in her father's footsteps, becoming a zoologist and later an artist, has some of her work on show at Welney Wetland Centre.
She said: “He was lovely. He was completely mad about natural history. Right from when we were little he was always showing us things and showing us animals of different kinds. Anything that moved was interesting to him.
“He loved the Wash and the Fens. It had something to do with his wildfowling days.
“It takes you out in the marshes at exciting times of day.”
She added: “I completely agree with him that the natural world is wonderful and we shouldn't let it disappear.”
Sir Peter set up the Severn Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire in 1946- which later became the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
There are now nine centres in the UK, including the one at Welney.
Julie Ward, centre manager at the WWT Welney, said: “The Ouse Washes held a special place in Sir Peter Scott's heart from his early life living in the Fens, enjoying his passion for Fen Skating and art, whilst also developing his skills as a leader in the conservation world with the Welney Wetland Centre being one of his second developments in 1970 as part of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
“In this, the year of his centenary, with nine wetland centres nationally, it is testament to Sir Peter Scott that his vision of conserving wetlands for wildlife and people remains on the Welney reserve today, providing a haven for thousands of wintering migratory swans and wildfowl including pochard, wigeon, pintail, gadwall and teal.”
He also inspired and encouraged many of today's conservationists.
Wildlife presenter, Chris Packham, said: “When I left university and was starting to work I'd been up to places like Slimbridge taking pictures, but I looked like a total punk rocker and it was difficult to be taken seriously by people.
“I made a film about Sir Peter Scott. I went to see him and his wife Phillippa and they were so hospitable - they didn't care if I had blue hair.
“Then out of the blue I was invited to one of his birthday parties. Instead of the expected grand occasion, Sir Peter's 75th birthday had few guests - though Sir David Attenborough was among them.
“He was just so pleased you could come“, said Mr Packham. “In so many ways, he gave me confidence, he reassured me about human nature.
“He could see past the leather jacket and Clash t-shirt.”
Sir Peter Scott was born in London in September 1909, son of Scott of the Antarctic - the explorer who died on his way back from the South Pole.
He was educated at Oundle School and Trinity College, Cambridge.
Between 1933 and 1939 he lived in the lighthouse at Sutton Bridge.
He learnt to sail during his time in Norfolk and in 1936 he was an Olympic yachtsman
During the second world war he became a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy
After the war, he moved to Slimbridge in Gloucestershire where he founded the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust.
He became a household name when he presented the television wildlife series, Look, in the 1950s.
In 1961 he set up the World Wildlife Fund with his lifelong friend Professor Julian Huxley.
He was knighted in 1973 for his services to conservation and the environment.
For full interview with Dafila Scott read this week's EDP SUNDAY.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/content/edp24/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED12%20Sep%202009%2013%3A40%3A20%3A287
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