OMS Latest:
Eileen Rees(1970-74:Southfields/Ashcott/Leigh Road billet) and Rebecca Woodward (1990-92: Overleigh) are both occupying important positions for the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, the leading UK conservation charity, which saves and protects wetlands for wildlife and people across the world. It was founded in 1946 by the naturalist and artist, the late Sir Peter Scott, father of OM Dafila Scott (1968-70: Holmcroft)
Eileen (pictured left) is Head of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s UK Waterbird Conservation Programme, with particular responsibility for long-term population studies of migratory wildfowl. She has 30 years’ experience working on research and conservation projects, has published over 100 scientific papers and reports. She has been active in promoting and leading international research programmes along migratory flyways, notably the Anglo-Russian study of Bewick’s Swan breeding biology and the collaborative study of the Icelandic Whooper Swan population. Her book on the Bewick’s Swan (illustrated by Dafila) was published by A&C Black in its Poyser imprint series in 2006, the year she also became editor of WWT’s scientific journal Wildfowl. Eileen is based at WWT Martin Mere, Lancashire, and lives in Derbyshire, but makes weekly visits to Slimbridge to meet with friends and colleagues.
Rebecca (right) is Associate Director of WWT Consulting. Having worked on a wide range of wetland-related projects both in the UK and overseas she is responsible for providing specialist ornithological and ecological advice, and the design, implementation, analysis and reporting of ornithological surveys. As an associate director and a project manager, Rebecca is responsible for the implementation of a diversity of large, complex projects with budgets in excess of £1.2 million. Examples include coordinating the national programme of aerial surveys of waterbirds for offshore windfarm development in the UK for the Crown Estate, government bodies and offshore windfarm companies.
Dafila Scott (centre) trained as a zoologist and spent the first part of her career working with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, studying Bewick’s swans both at Slimbridge and at Welney on the Ouse Washes. Since then she has continued to be associated with WWT as a member of council and subsequently as a long term supporter. After her research career, she turned to drawing and painting and now works as an artist. Most of her work is inspired by wildlife and landscape and features animals or places with which she has become familiar. As a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists, she has exhibited regularly at their annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries as well as at regional shows and at other galleries. She has also illustrated books and articles.
Recent work includes both figurative wildlife paintings and abstract landscapes inspired by visits to Wales and to the South African Kalahari. However, she is equally happy to gain inspiration at home in the garden or on the surrounding fenland.
Anil's Ministerial Appointment
His former swimming coach, Paddy Garrett, has alerted us to the news that Anil Roberts (Joan's Kitchen; 1985-87) has recently been appointed Trindad and Tobago's Minister of Sport & Youth Affairs in the new government of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar.
A National level swimmer whilst at Millfield, Anil continued to swim competitively and represented Trinidad & Tobago.
To read more about Anil's life and new responsiibility go to: http://guardian.co.tt/features/life/2010/05/28/minister-roberts-says-govt-serious-about-sport