Sir David Attenborough opens house at Oundle School in honour of his conservation friend
Sir David Attenborough was in Oundle on Friday last week to honour his friend, conservation pioneer and WWF creator by opening a new day house at Oundle School in his name.
Sir Peter Scott attended Oundle School as a boy and the new house, aptly named Scott House, bears an emblem with the image of a shoveler duck drawn by Sir Peter as a pupil at Oundle in the 1920s.
Together with Sir Peter Scott’s daughter Dafila, Sir David spent time in the restored Grade I listed home for the first years at Oundle School, talking to pupils about Sir Peter and his legacy.
He has said he views Sir Peter as the patron saint of conservation and was delighted to come to Oundle and honour his friend.
At a talk in the Great Hall at Oundle School, pupils were thrilled to hear Sir David speak about his friendship with Sir Peter, and how much he had been inspired by him to follow his own amazing journey of highlighting the dangers to the natural world.
He spoke of Sir Peter as “the kindest of men and the greatest of British citizens” before making everyone laugh about Sir Peter’s love for the Loch Ness monster.
Headteacher Sarah Kerr-Dineen said: “Having Sir David with us to honour the memory of Sir Peter Scott has been a privilege. We were so pleased he accepted our invitation and the children who met him and heard his inspiring talk will always remember this day.”
Fiona Quiddington, housemistress of Scott House, is keen to ensure the pupils learn and become inspired by the life Sir Peter led, in preserving conservation locally and further afield. “Scott House hopes to inspire every child who passes through its doors. Knowledge of the natural world is being lost with every generation and we will educate and engage our pupils to ensure they take a natural lead in conservation efforts going forward.”
Sir David became close to Sir Peter in the 1950s and 1960s when they both worked for the BBC, presenting wildlife programmes.