Meet the zoologist who had a novel idea, turning animal corpses into art

Last updated 19:32, Thursday, 19 February 2009

NESTLED away in the Cumbrian hills in an old sand-coloured farm house is a 60-year-old woman with an unusual secret.

Dr Ann Lingard, a woman with a mild-mannered tone, sweet laughter and snow white hair, has a passionate interest in taxidermy.

Her interest in the use of chemicals to preserve the dead animals in a lifelike way has spilled over into her latest novel, The Embalmer’s Book of Recipes, which she will speak about at Keswick literary festival Words by the Water on Monday, March 2.

Ann, a former zoology lecturer at the University of Glasgow, became interested in this method of preservation when studying for her Bachelor’s degree at Bedford College, London.

She says: “I was always amazed at how much life the taxidermist managed to capture in the eyes of the animal and how thick and shiny the coat stayed.

“I’ve always wanted to learn more about the practice and I think this fascination was the driving mechanism behind this novel.”

Ann, a former broadcaster for Radio Oxford, moved to Plumbland near Aspatria, in 2001, after she retired.

She lives with her husband Dr John Lackie and they rear Herdwick sheep in sight of the Lake District’s fells, Solway Firth and Scottish hills.

Ann carried out several years of extensive research into the lives and works of taxidermists to bring to life one of her book’s main characters, Ruth.

During her research she also spent time observing farmers and mathematicians to help her structure the other characters, Lisa and Madeleine.

Ann says: “It’s in a scientist’s nature to want to know everything they can about a topic so I made sure that I spent time with taxidermists, mathematics lecturers and farmers.

“One taxidermist told me that the most import part of the job was to make sure that the eyes of the animal stayed bright.

“I wanted the image of eyes to run through my novel, which were used as a symbolism of preserved memories.”

Ann, who was raised in Cornwall by her father, a biology lecturer, says that her latest novel intertwines dark memories of the characters with light-hearted Cumbrian humour.

She explains: “My father inspired me to be a scientist but my experiences in life have inspired me to be a writer.

“I think the people of Cumbria will enjoy the novel because they will be able to relate to the characters and the Cumbrian sense of humour that runs through it.”

Words by the Water runs for 10 days from Friday, February 27, and features regional and national authors and speakers.

Local talent includes Cockermouth author Chris Wadsworth, who will give an illustrated talk on her latest novel Percy Kelly: Letters To My Stepdaughter on Sunday, March 1, at 12noon.

The novel is based on the West Cumbrian artist Percy Kelly, whose work has become hugely collectible in recent years.

Cumbrian authors Keith Richardson and Keith Bowen will give an illustrated talk on Disappearing Cumbrian Lives, a story of people in Cumbria who have worked soil, wood and stone.

Striking pastel drawings featured in the novel by Keith Bowen will be exhibited in the gallery at the theatre on Tuesday, March 3.

The festival will also have a talk from broadcaster Michael Buerk who will give his views on Things to be Grumpy About on Saturday, February 28 at 5pm.

Laurence Harwood, the godson of children’s author C S Lewis, will give an inspirational talk on his Godfather on Friday, March 6, at 2pm.

The talks take place at the Theatre by the Lake.

For more information or tickets call 017687 74411 or visit www.theatrebythelake.co.uk

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