Wednesday 25 June 2025
To help us celebrate Gerald Durrell's centenary year, we've been collecting stories about Gerry from our supporters. Thank you to Brenda Cutrell, Stephen Woollard, and Terri Middlemiss for their stories.
You can submit your own memories of Gerry here.
Brenda Cutrell
I met Gerald Durrell at a cocktail party in his honour in Washington D.C., put on by Mr. & Mrs. Godfrey Rockefeller. I had been a member of the Jersey Trust for some years. It was in 1975 or 1976. I kept the invitation, and it has everything except the year it happened! In any case, since I am from Argentina, I was telling Mr. Durrell about him going back there, as some of my family lived on an estancia and could send him on to many other places and friends. He loved that of course, but I think he was done with traveling and collecting by then. He signed my book, ‘The Whispering Lands’. I still have all his books, which I started reading when I was a teenager. My husband and I have also been to Jersey Zoo. Delightful.
Stephen Woollard
I joined Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust as a boy in the 1970s after reading several of Gerry's books. I first met him and Lee at the 25th anniversary celebrations in Jersey in 1984 and attended the opening of the Training Centre by HRH Princess Royal. I had the opportunity to ask Gerry's advice on career... I had always loved animals and nature and had an interest in conservation and education, but I trained as an electrical engineer. What should I do?
Gerry asked me 3 questions: “Are you married?” (No); “Do you have any children?” (No); “Do you own a house?” (No). He then said, "What's stopping you then?" I thought about it and acted. I resigned from my job and ended up unemployed, but a while later got offered my first job in zoo education at Twycross (1987-88) which led onto Bristol Zoo (89-2003), Dudley (2003-5), RZSS Edinburgh (2005-15) and freelance working with many zoos since 2016.
What was amazing was I became guest lecturer on environmental education and communication skills for the DESMAN course 2016-2023. The many students I've worked with are inspiring and doing great work in the field and are testament to Gerry's vision and forward thinking. I now also Chair the Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust and Durrell's new project at Dalnarcardoch Estate is in the north of our area of activity. I met the team there this year.
Terri Middlemiss
Thank You. It started with ‘My Family and Other Animals’ in the 1960s, shared from my Mom. (and so grateful for her). I then read the following family stories and eagerly read the animal collecting books and then onto the Jersey Zoo establishment. I was always a champion of Gerald's saving lesser-known animals who were facing extinction. I became a conservationist, and help where I can to save animals, plants and habitats. I belong to many groups. I own and have re-read Gerald's books throughout my long life (79 now) and I laugh out loud at the humour, appreciate the evolution of Gerald's life and his deep caring and actions for animals.
I have followed the success stories around the world and appreciate knowing about animals all over the Earth. At first, I didn't quite know how to respond to Gerald's requests at the end of his books to join his organization. I wanted to and eventually, did. I am so grateful for that. I love the early TV series of his life on Corfu.
Gerald Durrell has been very important and a constant in my life. What an incredible force of nature along with his wives and friends!