PA MediaSir David Attenborough's visits to Dorset's Jurassic Coast helped highlight some of the region's extraordinary fossil discoveriesSir David Attenborough, who is marking his 100th birthday today, has travelled to virtually every corner of the earth as part of his quest to educate others about the natural world.
The broadcaster, famous for his distinctive hushed tone, set new standards for natural history documentaries with programmes like Life on Earth, Planet Earth and The Blue Planet.
And his visits to Hampshire and Dorset form part of that lifelong educational mission.
From teaching children in Hampshire about insects to searching for fossils on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, Sir David's trips to the south reflect his enduring desire to share knowledge.
Sir David's visit to Sir Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey reflected his passion for inspiring children to engage with natureIn 1985, Sir David visited Brownsea Island in Dorset, where he lent his support to a campaign to save woodland.
"The thought that there might not be an oak woodland to walk into - the thought that there might not be a bluebell wood for my children to see - is too awful," he said.
Education has always been central to the naturalist's work and, in 2006, Sir David opened the Children's Education Centre at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Ampfield, near Romsey.
The centre includes dipping ponds filled with aquatic life and dragonflies.
Sir David, who was filmed by the BBC at the ponds with local schoolchildren, asked one little girl why dragonflies flocked to the ponds, and appeared delighted when she correctly told him it was to lay their larvae.
PA MediaSir David Attenborough has returned to Dorset several times to help uncover and document major prehistoric discoveriesIn 2018, Sir David received a call from his long-time friend and fellow fossil hunter, Chris Moore.
Moore had discovered an ichthyosaur in Dorset's cliffs and invited Sir David to be part of the excavation.
It was filmed by the BBC and became the documentary Attenborough and the Sea Dragon.
"I started looking for fossils when I was a boy, and I've never lost the feeling of excitement and anticipation of what one might discover," he said.
Six years later, Moore found an even bigger fossil, a pliosaur, and Sir David, now aged 97, returned to Dorset.
"He'd love to get stuck in," said Moore. "He'd have sailed over the cliff if they'd let him."
The pliosaur skull can now be seen at The Etches Collection in Kimmeridge.
Related internet links
