Penny’s love of wildlife and gardening began as a child, growing cornflowers, marigolds, and nasturtiums for bees in a little patch of earth. Penny remembers the day her father came home from work with a small school desk. “It was made of oak and had a little ink well. I cherished this little table and found acorns, shells, flowers, and insects to display on it. On walks with my father, I found even more treasures for my lovely nature table.”

Encouraged by her father, Penny’s love of the natural world grew. “Thirty years ago, my father passed away. His leaving touched me incredibly and it was hard to come to terms with his loss. Getting out into the garden has helped. Looking at the plants that are growing heartily and watching all the visiting wildlife has kept me chipper and gives me that little extra lift.”