‘Hidden’ photos help Appeal
Wednesday 28th July
A collection of wildlife photos we have guarded for more than 20 years are to help raise vital funds for our Trent Vale Habitats Appeal, having come out of hiding for the first time in a special exhibition and sale.
The historic wildlife photos, which were taken by Newark based photographer J T Fisher in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, will now form a month long exhibition at Southwell Library during August, with the chance to buy the exhibited pictures. The collection of wildlife images have been kept safe by the Trust but now that a permanent archive of Mr Fisher’s work has been created, we are keen to use them to raise much needed funds for local wildlife conservation.
The late J. T. Fisher, one of our early members and a professional wildlife photographer, left his entire life’s work to the Trust in the mid-1980s. Last year it emerged that Fisher had for 22 years been a member of one of the country’s most prestigious groups of naturalists: the Zoological Photographic Club. So exclusive is the Photographic Club that to this day Fisher is one of only four Club members to have been based in Nottinghamshire. Since the Club’s inception in 1899, its members have pioneered many of the techniques of wildlife-watching and photography familiar to us today such as the use of ‘hides’ or ‘blinds’ to allow photographers to get closer to wild animals. One of its early members, R. B. Lodge, took what is still thought to be the first photograph of a wild bird in 1895. Since the Club learned of the Wildlife Trust’s collection of Fisher’s photography, it has been able to develop an archive of Fisher’s work.
Following media coverage of our search for new homes for the pictures as part of our effort to raise funds for wildlife habitat enhancements at its Besthorpe Nature Reserve, local resident and Wildlife Trust member Pauline Buttery offered to organize the exhibition and sale.
Speaking about the events, Wildlife Trust Communications Manager Erin McDaid said: “We are delighted that Pauline found the story so interesting and we are very grateful for her efforts in organizing the exhibition and sale. As a result of her enthusiasm more people will be able to enjoy Mr Fisher’s pictures and hopefully the sale will raise much needed funds for our Appeal.”
Every £1 raised at the sale will help Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to release up to £10 in funding from other sources. The funds will be used to restore vital reed bed habitat in the Trent Vale.
The exhibition features a selection of mounted and un-mounted black and white and early colour images of rare and elusive bird species. It will run until the end of August at Southwell Library, The Bramley Centre, King Street, Southwell. Nottinghamshire, NG25 0EH
