David Shepherd at Edgeborough - February 2006

David Shepherd, the well-known artist and wildlife conservationist, visited Edgeborough School, in Frensham last Wednesday evening to deliver a quite remarkable presentation to the parents and children.

Edgeborough is supporting the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation this term as its major charity and it was fascinating to hear how this family-run enterprise has achieved so much since its establishment in the early 1960s.

The principal objective of the foundation is to reverse the almost inexorable progress towards extinction of so much of the world’s precious wildlife: tigers, bears, rhinos and elephants, to name but a few. And David Shepherd, an extraordinarily charismatic man who is passionately devoted to his cause, leads from the front.

His lecture was delivered impromptu, to the backdrop of some of his wonderful paintings, and the children and parents were enthralled by the strength of his message. There was no mistaking the absolute commitment of the true conservationist, and it was an honour and privilege to be present at this wonderful occasion.

‘No-one who was there will ever forget the experience’, said the Headmaster, Richard Jackson. ‘If they weren’t committed to wildlife before, they most certainly are now!’

Pictured here is David Shepherd signing one of his prints for an Edgeborough pupil.