Last Saturday I went to the Birdfair at Rutland Water ( if your wildlife interests cover conservation groups , wildlife holidays in the UK or anywhere in the world , books , art , etc. I can recommend this enormous event ) .
I was particularly taken by some life-size bronzes of British birds and had a long chat with the artist , Eddie , who explained the detailed processes involved in their making to me . On leaving he gave me a leaflet which told me he was Eddie Hallam from Riber , Derbyshire . The name rang a faint bell and a check on Google confirmed that he was the owner of the Riber Castle Zoo from its founding in the 1960's until he sold it in the 1980's .
Being a keen Zoo Historian , and having visited the collection several times , I could have had a very different discussion with him , had I realised who I was talking to .
I was particularly taken by some life-size bronzes of British birds and had a long chat with the artist , Eddie , who explained the detailed processes involved in their making to me . On leaving he gave me a leaflet which told me he was Eddie Hallam from Riber , Derbyshire . The name rang a faint bell and a check on Google confirmed that he was the owner of the Riber Castle Zoo from its founding in the 1960's until he sold it in the 1980's .
Being a keen Zoo Historian , and having visited the collection several times , I could have had a very different discussion with him , had I realised who I was talking to .