Don Dorling, 22 May 1930 – 9 January 2016

Don Dorling, Vice President of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, has died


Thursday 21 January, 2016


Don Dorling, Vice President of Norfolk Wildlife Trust and a veteran of wildlife conservation has died at the age of 85. Chief Executive of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Brendan Joyce pays a personal tribute.

He was a true champion of wildlife and its protection, devoting much of his life to its cause. Next to his wife of nearly 60 years, Mary, it was his love and passion.

Born the son of a policeman “over the border” in Bury St. Edmunds on 22 May 1930, he was awarded a place at the prestigious Culford School leaving at the age of 18 to join the Army, working in intelligence. He served what he described as “a cooks tour” in Trieste, Italy.

On 19 June 1950 he joined Norwich Union (now Aviva) accounts department where he met his wife Mary, whom he married on 7th July 1956. He served 40 years there, 24 as Assistant Company Secretary. He retired in 1990.

We can trace his membership of Norfolk Wildlife Trust back 51 years, but his passion went back much further. “He was always interested in birds and aviation. He was a true naturalist” says Mary.

Don served as a Trustee and Director of Norfolk Wildlife Trust for 13 years, four as its chairman. He also served as Treasurer of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society for 28 years.

In 2000 Don co-authored the authoritative “Birds of Norfolk” publication as well as contributing to the annual Bird Reports for a number of years while Mary would spend at least a day a week volunteering, running the Trust’s head office reception and helping with countless other tasks.

When not out on bird watching trips to nature reserves Don and Mary were always contributing their time volunteering to help at many levels. They were huge supporters and were very well known to staff and volunteers both on the nature reserves and in the offices offering support, help and advice wherever they went.

“He would always have time to listen and help,” said Mary. His enthusiasm was infectious and a great motivation to many people.

In 1997 he succeeded Tom Cook as Chairman of Norfolk Wildlife Trust and oversaw a four year period of considerable achievements and developments. This included a number of new land acquisitions at Grimston Warren, Thompson Common, Salthouse Marshes and Upton Marshes. Meanwhile, a new visitor centre was built and opened by David Bellamy at Weeting Heath and improvements made at Cley for visitors.

In 1998 the Trust was awarded £2.3 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund Programme to undertake “Securing the Future”: a five year programme of habitat restoration, capital works and visitor access improvements on 26 nature reserves throughout the county. The Trust celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2001 which included a reception hosted by Prince Charles at Sandringham. Don also organised a celebratory lunch at the George Hotel in Cley to mark the occasion of the Trust’s original formation and first meeting there.

With the adoption of a new Business Strategy in 2000, the Trust embarked on a period of expansion, taking on further offices and in 2001/02 relocating from its head office in Cathedral Close to Bewick House on Thorpe Road. Other highlights of Don’s “reign” included the discovery of “Sea Henge” at Holme Dunes, the commencement of the Brecks Heathland creation project, and the declaration of Foxley Wood as a National Nature Reserve.

The Council Meetings chaired by Don involved much discussion on the future of flood defences at Cley and the first steps in the development of our Living Landscapes Strategy, encouraging the creation of habitat corridors for wildlife.

At the end of his Chairmanship, Don was awarded the prestigious Sydney Long Medal in 2002 by Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society for his “significant contribution to wildlife conservation in Norfolk and to the continued success of both organisations”. He also became Vice President of the Trust and continued to play an active role in the Trust’s work. In particular he was something of an oracle on the Trust’s history, constitution and governance and, behind the scenes, assisted with the process of Annual General Meetings and Trustee elections. He and Mary spent several months painstakingly sorting out and cataloguing the Trust’s extensive archives out of which Don produced a history of the Trust, documenting its many milestones and achievements. This has aptly formed the foundation of the Trust’s 90th Anniversary publication “Wild & Wonderful Norfolk”.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust Chief Executive, Brendan Joyce said: “throughout my own 20 years as Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Don and Mary have been a constant source of personal support, advice, strength and, above all, friendship.

“And to many of the staff and volunteers, Don and Mary would together bring affection, support and a ‘parental glow’ wherever they went.”

Don Dorling
22 May 1930 – 9 January 2016

NWT
Share this

Top news stories

2024-02-19 Cromer goats join NWT! Cromer goats join NWT!
Monday 19 February, 2024
Twelve rare breed goats are settling into their new life with Norfolk Wildlife Trust after retiring from their conser...
2024-02-09 High-tech cows aid nature cons High-tech cows aid nature conservation at NWT Sweet Briar Marshes
Friday 09 February, 2024
Six rare breed cattle, sporting the latest in grazing technology, have been released at Norfolk Wildlife Trust's ...
2024-02-08 NWT Cley Marshes to host Rober NWT Cley Marshes to host Robert Gillmor retrospective
Thursday 08 February, 2024
Norfolk Wildlife Trust will host a retrospective exhibition of the work of renowned wildlife artist, Robert Gillmor, ...
2024-02-02 Population of UK’s tallest bir Population of UK’s tallest bird hits record-breaking high
Friday 02 February, 2024
Survey results show 2023 was another successful year for the Common Crane, with a record 80 pairs confirmed in the UK...
2024-02-01 National Lottery Heritage Fund National Lottery Heritage Funding to support our new 'Building Foundations for the Future' project
Thursday 01 February, 2024
We are delighted to announce that we have been granted an incredible £241,642 from The National Lottery He...
2024-01-19 UK Government authorises use o UK Government authorises use of bee-killing pesticide for sugar beet
Friday 19 January, 2024
'Emergency' authorisation to use a highly damaging neonicotinoid has today been approved by UK Government, de...
2024-01-04 £210,000 boost for west Norfol £210,000 boost for west Norfolk's wetland wildlife
Thursday 04 January, 2024
Norfolk Wildlife Trust opens the new year with an exciting new project making vital improvements to rare wildlife-ric...
2024-01-04 Our former leader, Brendan Joy Our former leader, Brendan Joyce OBE
Thursday 04 January, 2024
Everyone at Norfolk Wildlife Trust is deeply saddened to hear of the death of former Chief Executive Brendan Joyce OB...
2023-12-08 British Sugar fails to deliver British Sugar fails to deliver on 3-year plan to end use of banned neonicotinoids
Friday 08 December, 2023
Time's up! Minister urged to help sugar farmers go neonic-free and honour ban as deadline approaches to end relia...
2023-12-05 Western Link road planning dec Western Link road planning decision sparks outrage amongst environmental groups
Tuesday 05 December, 2023
Following yesterday’s announcement that Norfolk County Council has given the green light for a planning applica...
2023-11-14 Shared vision revealed for Nor Shared vision revealed for Norwich nature reserve
Tuesday 14 November, 2023
We have revealed the emerging long-term vision for our newest nature reserve Sweet Briar Marshes. Sketches,...
2023-11-06 We've purchased a popular Hick We've purchased a popular Hickling pub!
Monday 06 November, 2023
We have announced that we are the new owners of the Pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling Staithe.  ...