Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Celia Bonner

Letter: David Bellamy obituary

David Bellamy at the RHS Hampton Court flower show in 2011.
David Bellamy at the RHS Hampton Court flower show in 2011. Photograph: Ray Tang/Rex/Shutterstock

I once had the good fortune to work with David Bellamy . I was directing a BBC children’s multifaith programme called Umbrella and we decided to do a programme on death – not the easiest topic for children.

David agreed to take part and suggested we film the piece in Hamsterley Forest, near his home in County Durham. When we played the edited tape into the studio recording, the children taking part were enraptured as he linked the life cycle of the trees with that of human beings.

He ended the piece by saying: “I have always wished I could fly. When I die I hope that someone will scatter my ashes in this forest. Then perhaps one day an ant will pick up a little piece of that ash. Then maybe a bird will pick up the ant and fly up into the sky with it. Then at last David Bellamy will be able to fly.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Woman orders wedding dress from Dior. Then she sees the box it came in. People are alarmed at the reveal: ‘I thought that was a fridge’
Forget butterflies and happy tears. This Dior bride’s big moment arrived looking less like couture and more like a Home Depot delivery. In a now-viral TikTok, handymen lug a massive wooden crate into her house–except it’s the kind you’d expect to hold a fridge, not a frock.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
8 Signs Your Healthy Southern Diet is Actually Causing Inflammation
Traditional Southern flavors often rely on fresh produce and lean proteins, but common preparation methods can unintentionally trigger inflammation. While many believe they are following a wholesome regional diet, specific dietary habits might be working against health goals. Identifying these subtle shifts in nutrition can help restore balance and improve…
Budget and the Bees
Budget and the Bees
The science behind the trend for showering in the dark before bed
The latest wellness trend and “sleep hack” involves switching off the bathroom light before stepping into the shower. In the dimness, the water feels louder, the day’s visual clutter fades and the hope is that sleep will come more easily. This practice, often called “dark showering”, has spread on social…
The Conversation
The Conversation
Country singer reveals horrific hate comment from follower amid incurable cancer diagnosis
Nat Myers first revealed his cancer diagnosis last year
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
So, How Did It Go When Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Showed Up In Complementing Colors In Court? His Lawyer Speaks Out
This is WILD.
Cinemablend
Cinemablend
Children’s social media addictions linked to mental health problems in new study
Lead author calls for restrictions on addictive social media app features
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play