I am a regular public speaker and photographer, giving illustrated talks on a range of subjects including:

• Wildlife Gardening (encouraging beneficial native wildlife, so nature can help you in your garden)
• Water, Water Everywhere (ponds, bog gardens and water-wise gardening)
• Food For Free (seasonal foraging for wild foods)
  
• The Best Of Friends (companion planting and other natural gardening methods)

ALSO:  Zoom talks. You can now book me to give one of my talks online to your club members, via the magic of Zoom! Talks are available at a reduced fee (no travel costs), and your members can enjoy my talks from the comfort of their own living room, with time at the end for a question and answer session!

Clients for my talks include gardening clubs, horticultural societies, wildlife groups, the Women’s Institute and local wildlife trusts. If you would like to book me for a talk or find out more, please telephone me on 01392 437792, or contact me via this website. If you prefer, you can also contact me via my Rowanleaf Facebook page, or message me on LinkedIn.

Feedback from my in-person talks and virtual (Zoom) talks:

“Your talk was one of the best we have had this year! It was very well put together and I heard many comments afterwards about how much people enjoyed the talk and learned so much. The number of questions that were asked afterwards showed the level of interest.” – Dawlish Garden Society

“Thank you for giving us your talk last night. The content and advice was excellent. We have heard only praise and how much everyone enjoyed it.” – Kilmington Gardening Club

“A great Zoom presentation this evening. Thank you so much. I liked the ‘hit’ [information about the threats to our wildlife], then what to do about this – taking in the whole web of life, not just the charismatic species.” – Mid-Devon Natural History Society

“Thank you for talking to our club on Monday evening. We thoroughly enjoyed the very timely topic and the professional slides too. I am sure you have delivered the same talk many times, yet it came across as fresh as if this were the first time. You dealt extremely well with some audience participation and earned the respect of the rest of the audience for that.” – Musbury Garden Club

“Thank you for coming to talk to us, we thoroughly enjoyed our evening. You took out some of the mystique about ponds and debunked a lot of the myths so now I am determined to tackle my pond/bog garden that is under trees with renewed vigour! We all thought your photographs were excellent, as was the structure of your talk; and we would be very pleased if you would come and talk to us again in the future.” – Otterton Gardening Club

“We want to say a very big thank you for a super presentation yesterday evening, followed by a comprehensive question and answer session. Your talk was thought-provoking as well as informative and your responses also encouraged people’s involvement.”
– Blackdown Hills Gardening Club

“I just wanted to say how good your talk was… You had us enthralled. I noted that there were lots of comments and questions after, which reflects the interest and stimulation which you engendered.” – Longstock Garden Club

“Many thanks for your excellent talk to our garden club last week. It was very informative and I shall be trying out your ideas in my own garden.” – Ipplepen Garden Club

“Thank you for your interesting and uplifting talk last night. I’m sure it has inspired us to do more for our garden wildlife friends.” – Willand Garden Club

“Many thanks for your interesting talk last night. It was very well received, and gave us a lot of food for thought!” – Woodbury Garden Club

“You led a lively session covering everything from the legal implications of foraging to what to gather and what to avoid… Your sample of the elderflower cordial was very refreshing, and we liked your recipes to make use of the many good things we can forage.” – Sampford Arundel Gardening Club

“I wanted to say a big thank you for the great Zoom talk tonight. It was perfect for our audience and your enthusiasm shone through!” – Cookham & Cookham Dean Horticultural Society

“Thank you for coming to talk to our group… We loved your enthusiasm for your subject and the practical advice you offered, making wildlife gardening achievable for all.” – Kirtlington Gardening Club

“Our Harvest Supper meeting was memorable, largely due to yourself. There was much praise from our members following your talk.” – Dorney & District Horticultural Society

“I just wanted to thank you for your talk… I have received many comments on what an excellent talk it was from our members. We shall definitely recommend you to other societies.” – Burghfield Common Horticultural Society

Talks in 2024 & 2025:

– 28th February 2024: The Best of Friends, Ipplepen Gardening Club
– 20th March 2024: Food For Free,  Creech St Michael Gardening Club
– 8th April 2024: Water, Water Everywhere,  Uffculme Gardeners Club
– 18th April 2024:  Food For Free, Plymtree Gardening Club
– 13th May 2024: The Best of Friends,  Awliscombe Gardening Club
– 20th May 2024:  Food For Free, Upton Pyne Garden Club
– 10th July 2024: Water, Water Everywhere, Tavistock Ladies Gardening Club
– 15th August 2024: The Best of Friends, Honiton Garden Club
– 13th September 2024: Food For Free, Bishopsteignton Garden Club
– 26th September 2024: Food For Free, Exmouth Garden Club
– 3rd October 2024: Water, Water Everywhere, Teignmouth Gardening Club
– 7th October 2024: The Best of Friends, Kingsbridge Gardeners’ Club
– 6th November 2024:  Water, Water Everywhere, Broadhembury & District Garden Club
– 14th August 2025: Food For Free, West Hill Garden Club

 

 

Before working in conservation and education I studied Photography at Plymouth College of Art and Design and became a freelance documentary photographer.  Whilst living in Newcastle upon Tyne I completed a number of social documentary projects, including Improving The View (a commission for the Landscape Institute) and A Quiet Coast (a touring photographic exhibition about the Northumberland coast and its people).

Becoming a professional in the nature conservation industry allowed me to combine my passion for working in the environment with being a photographer. Landscape and wildlife photography remain my favourite genres, especially plants and invertebrates.

All images featured on this website are my own photographs: if you would like to purchase any for use please contact me.