Ian & Pat Evans

Since Ian and Pat Evans moved to Sutherland 16 years ago they have continued an astonishing enthusiasm for natural history that began in their early childhood in the south of England.

In Leicester, Pat inherited her father’s interest in ornithology, horticulture and fishing, which she retains to this day. Frustrated in her desire to study for a degree in horticulture (by a preference given at the time to ex-servicemen) she took a degree in Botany at Trinity College, Dublin under Professor David Webb. His field courses to the west of Ireland concentrated very much on plant identification and in 1952 Pat was able to study for a PhD at University College, Leicester on the taxonomy of buttercups Ranunculus under Professor TG Tutin, co-author of the classic flora of the British Isles. Unfortunately the university did not recognise her degree from Dublin and although she published her results in Watsonia, family life overtook any further research plans.

Instead Pat started a weekly column in her local newspaper, writing about anything from fungi to fish and all from her own personal experiences. This continued for no less than 16 years! She was also very active in the Loughborough Naturalists’ Club, serving as Secretary and then as Editor of its quarterly journal ‘Heritage’ until its 100th edition in 1986.

Ian, on the other hand, had enjoyed no particular family influences as a youth although he was allowed to roam the Hertfordshire countryside at will, all the while developing his interests in natural history. A move back to North London disgusted him, but at least he was nearer to the British Museum where he got help identifying things. ‘The whole world was there, albeit dead, pressed, pickled and stuffed.’ The Museum also ran a very active children’s club while Ian’s chemistry master encouraged 30-mile cycle trips to Box Hill in the North Downs to look at plants, especially orchids. Ian was also fortunate enough to attend courses at Flatford Mill where he met such luminaries as Frances Rose and Dick Southwood.