Press and Engagement
My greatest passion is talking about taxidermy! Speaking to the public about taxidermy collections and de-mystifying the process goes a long way to the acceptance of this historical craft in the mainstream. I love to show how taxidermy collections can be used to ignite interest in caring for the natural world. Below is a list of appearances I've made, talks/demos I offer and links to recordings where you can listen to or watch me in action.
Media
Hidden Treasures of the National Trust S04E04
In 2026 I appeared on the Hidden Treasures of the National Trust programme on BBC2, The episode featured me chatting to the public about taxidermy at Calke Abbey. If you missed it you can watch on BBC iplayer.
Natural Science Collections Association Conference 2026
Speaking about my work with the National Trust during a lightening talk at the 2026 NatSCA Conference with Property Experience Curator, Julie Griffith. Read more about this in our blog here.
In 2026 wildlife cameraman, Jack Perks interviewed me at Wollaton Hall, Nottingham's Natural History Museum about the natural science collection there and life as a taxidermist.
Back in 2020 I was just getting ready to take my taxidermy business full time. In this episode Elle Kaye chats with me about my experience as an ecologist, working as a natural history restorer, and my work with orphaned wildlife in South Africa.
Get Stuffed: Taxidermy in the Modern Age by Polly Jean Harrison
2020 interview on how I got into taxidermy and mounting a king penguin for Nottingham Natural History Museum.
A bit of chat on local tele about spiders in my 'day job' as Curator of Natural Science at Leeds Discovery Centre.
Talks and Demos
Meet the Taxidermist- Full Day Taxidermy Demos at National Trust's Calke Abbey, Derbyshire- Regular event 2024-Present
Diorama Workshops: Natural History Crafts at National Trust's Calke Abbey, Derbyshire- Summer 2026
Nottingham Contemporary: Work Experience Week- Taxidermy Demo and Restoration Workshop at Wollaton Hall, Nottingham- Annual event 2023-2026
Adults Taxidermy Demo at Mansfield Museum- April 2026
Home Ed Taxidermy Workshop at Mansfield Museum- April 2026
UK Guild of Taxidermists Seminar- Bird Skin Processing Demo at Tring, Hertfordshire- April 2026
Zoological Specimens and Collections- Full process- Skinning and mounting demo at Nottingham Trent University- Annual event 2024-Present
Natural History Collections Training- Full day training staff in taxidermy handling and cleaning at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire- January 2024
Natural History Masterclass Online Conference- a talk on Justifying Natural History Collections- February 2024
UK Guild of Taxidermists Seminar- Talk on Bird Skin Processing at Simbridge, Gloucestershire- March 2023
