Tower and Town, March 2020 (view the full edition)David WhiteMy wife and I were sitting in David's office in his intriguing manor house on the edge of the Marlborough Downs. The origins of the house go back to 1447 and the family have farmed the surrounding area for more than a hundred years. David's son has now taken over responsibility and farms something in the region of 4000 acres, conventional arable but no dairy now. He also runs a herd of Highland cows on their downland. Our meeting had been arranged because we had heard that David was something of a polymath and this proved to be very true. School was followed by several years at what is now the Royal Agricultural University at Cirencester and this led to travelling in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand learning the secrets of efficient dairy production. On the walls above where we were sitting are the most magnificent crystal clear colour photographs - each one is something in the region of four foot square - and depict scenes from the surrounding countryside. What particularly intrigued us was a picture of the 'Wolf Moon' rising between the pinnacles of St James church, Avebury. "That can't have been taken by chance". I commented'. "Oh no!" he replied. "I researched when that moment was likely to occur and was ready poised with my Olympus!" Discussing the matter later, my wife and I agreed that David's work exhibited remarkable artistic flair (right brain) with disciplined technological skill and precision (left brain). Smaller detailed photos that he showed us were of a variety of birds including the bar-tailed godwit, turnstone, little egret and kingfisher with a fish in his beak! Photography was clearly a passion and taking photos of the natural world had obviously developed from farming to David's other passion - conservation. This has led to him to becoming involved with the Marlborough Downs Space for Nature Project and the World Pheasant Association based in Hexham. While supporting all forms of wild life, practical efforts include maintaining hundreds of nest boxes on his land and he is particularly proud of the fact that ten years ago only two pairs of the endangered tree sparrows were in evidence while now he expects to see a winter flock of some 500 birds. "How has this been achieved?" I ask. "By careful and constant feeding with millet", he replied. David's efforts are not restricted to the United Kingdom and he will soon be in search of more stunning images in Arctic waters. One of his photos appeared on the front page of The Times in 2018. He has also been involved with The Fluency Trust; in 2010 he ran in the London Marathon and raised £22,000 for this cause. A selection of David's photographs is on display and for sale at the Framemakers Gallery in Marlborough High Street. Neil GM Hall |