Flora & Fauna

of

East Anglia

THE ARTISTS

Diana Catchpole.

Diana is base in the lovely little village of Bartlow. She has had a career in illustrating children’s books. She sells her lino prints in the UK and abroad. She has exhibited At the Gallery Above several times and her work has proved to be a favourite with the gallery’s customers. Diana says “I find inspiration in my surroundings; The countryside and the wonderful animals that inhabit it.“

Sachiko Purser

Sachiko’s work includes, watercolours and pastels, Japanese ink painting and Japanese woodblock printing. It is fascinating to be able to hear about her photopolymer etching techniques which she also teaches. Sachiko is a member of the Cambridge Drawing Society. She graduated with a BA in Illustration from Cambridge School of Art and has an MA in Children’s Book Illustration and Printmaking. She is passionate about nature and the environment, especially the welfare of animals and birds.

Ali Ginn

Ali trained as a graphic designer and illustrator. She has been working as a freelance designer and a watercolour artist. She says “ I have always been awestruck by nature - there is no better designer. I never cease to be amazed by the incredible beauty and diversity of animals and plants around us.” Her beautiful paintings capture light, movement and colour.

Paul Wyer

Naturalist and wildlife photographer based in Cambridgeshire. Paul is a public engagement officer for the Beds, Cambs & Northants Wildlife Trust. His beautiful photographs capture fleeting moments of the wildlife that inhabit amazing locations in Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties. He has a wealth of knowledge, which he is enthusiastic about sharing with others so that we can all learn how to experience the wonders that exist in our local countryside.

Darryl Nantais

Darryl was born in Cambridgeshire in 1955. As a child he began painting landscapes from the banks of the Little and Great Ouse. When he was twelve he moved to the Norfolk coast and turned his attention to “exciting dramatic skies”.

After leaving home and touring England with his sketchbook, he settled in Norwich where he studied the past Norfolk Masters such as Chrome, Cotman and Bright. Instead of The Ouse, he painted extensively pictures of The Broads and The Yare. Darryl’s oil paintings continue to reflect his great enthusiasm for everything that he sees. His love and appreciation of nature is very evident from the scenes that he creates.

Maureen Williams

“I am very much a Linton person with roots growing out of my toes and into this chalk and clay soil. I am so grateful that I have always lived just a few steps from open countryside”. From a very young age Maureen would paint and draw the birds and flowers.  By her early 20s, she had established herself as a glass engraver. Maureen has continued to express her love of her surroundings in Linton, with her paintings and illustrations of the local flora and fauna. She has created illustrations for the Country Matters column in the Linton News for 39 years.  

CONSERVATION GROUPS

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. - Paul Wyer

The Wildlife Trust BCN mission is to create a wilder future by protecting and restoring wildlife and wild places across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire. They manage over 100 nature reserves. These include some of Britains rarest habitats. There are meadows, fens, ancient woods, river margins, lakes and old gravel pits and much more. 

Friends of the River Granta (FROG) - Jenifer Copley May

FROG is a very active volunteer group whose aim is to protect and enhance our local river, the Granta, a rare chalk stream.  They are supported by RiverCare and the Linton Parish Council and carry out conservation tasks to improve the river habitat and encourage greater biodiversity. In 2025 they were the winner of the Green Award in the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Make A Difference Awards. In February they went to the Houses of Parliament to support Pippa Heylings in her 10 minute rule bill to provide UNESCO Heritage status for chalk streams in the UK. Volunteers are regularly seen wadding in, for hands on river maintenance, and they often hold informative public engagement events. 

Linton Swifts

Rob McEwen & Alan Sanders offer practical advice of sighting swift boxes. They can supply ready made swift boxes or instructions on how to make your own box. 

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