Gloucestershire service remembers wildlife pioneer

The service was attended by conservationist Keith Shackleton

Tributes have been paid to Lady Philippa Scott at a memorial service in Gloucestershire to celebrate her life.

The widow of Sir Peter Scott, the founder of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), died on 5 January, aged 91.

She had been an honorary director of the WWT and a patron of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

Lady Scott was once dubbed "one of the true greats of conservation" by Sir David Attenborough.

The memorial service was held at St Mary's Church in Berkeley and was attended by representatives of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra.

'Remained passionate'

Also present was the conservationist and painter Keith Shackleton.

At the start of the service, Prebendary Andrew Talbot-Ponsonby praised Lady Scott's "zest for life, her courage, her enthusiasm".

He continued: "In a life dedicated to promoting the concept of conservation, she accompanied Peter from almost the beginning of the days of the Wildfowl Trust until his death over twenty years ago, supporting him in his work and passions, while in her own right becoming a talented photographer, author, Scuba diver and so much more."

Lady Scott married Peter Scott in Iceland in 1951 on a trip to find the breeding grounds of the pink-footed goose.

She had a son, Falcon, a daughter, Dafila and a step-daughter, Nicky.

A trust spokesman said: "She remained passionate about and heavily involved with WWT for more than 60 years, starting in 1947 when she joined the staff as Peter Scott's secretary and, in latter years, as honorary director."