We are deeply sad to announce the passing of Aline Denton – one of our longest serving supporters, Trustee, unwavering advocate for conservation and friend to us all.
Aline took on many roles with the Shared Earth Trust during a period spanning well over two decades. On her first visit to Denmark Farm in the late 1990s, she was immediately struck with the ethos of the Trust and the way in which it had encouraged nature to return with minimal intervention – an early example of ‘re-wilding’ before the term had even been invented! Soon after, she became actively involved as a volunteer, helping to maintain the site for wildlife and improve access.
Following a 17 year career in the pharmaceutical sector, Aline moved into professional wildlife conservation and undertook a range of project roles with Denmark Farm and other organisations, including Vincent Wildlife Trust and the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. These roles enabled her to combine her interest in volunteer and public engagement with her favourite activity – species survey – using a range of techniques to find, identify and record everything from red squirrels, dormice and harvest mice to Mermaid’s purses on the seashore. She was also a strong supporter and coordinator of beach cleans near her home in Llanrhystud, collecting and analysing many bin bags of marine litter.
In between various contracts for project work at Denmark Farm, Aline always stepped back into her volunteer roles with practical conservation tasks, leading bat walks, setting moth traps, teaching children how to dissect owl pellets, as well as serving on the board of Trustees. A task that most people in organisations do not relish is updating policies, but Aline ensured that these were always fit for purpose and easy to find. She took up her most recent Trustee role in August 2020 and continued to provide valuable support throughout her illness, up until a few weeks before her passing. Earlier this year, despite suffering from aches and pains and debilitating weakness after treatment sessions, she took it upon herself to spend a day in a cramped attic space to clear out the Shared Earth Trust archives and got especially excited as she discovered ancient black and white photographs and read old articles! Her love of filing will never be matched!
Aline also had many other personal strengths, both as a friend and colleague. She was always supremely honest, fair and clear in her thinking and communications. Her practical and pragmatic nature meant that she was able to offer an unbiased perspective on complex or tricky situations. And she balanced her sometimes hard-hitting directness with a fun sense of humour!
Her strength and dignity throughout the past few years of illness can teach us all so much. She was always uncomplaining and loved to hear how others were making the most of their precious life, even when her own hold became increasingly tenuous. The world is an immensely poorer place without Aline. Her spirit lives on in everyone and everything she touched.
We will never forget you Aline.
With immense gratitude,
Trustees, staff and friends of the Shared Earth Trust
lovely tribute – she was a shining light and will be very much missed by all of us who knew her
What a lovely tribute to a lovely person.Aline (and Guy) would never show off their knowledge, Aline would wait to be asked about something, and then come up with a definitve answer. Her enthusiasm was infectious, a cliche, but true. It was a privilege to know her and work with her.
Andy
I had the good fortune to know Aline throughout five years at secondary school. This tribute is so true of the wonderful person who I will always remember with great fondness.
I couldn’t agree more Ewan. Although I wasn’t really in touch with Aline after we left school, this lovely tribute shows that she remained true to herself her whole life. She was an incredibly intelligent and talented lady who wore it lightly. Gone far, far too soon. Sincere condolences to Guy.
A beautiful tribute Mara. Aline will, indeed, be very much missed by many.
I am truly distressed to learn of Aline’s passing. My sincere sympathies.
A beautiful tribute Mara. I will really miss Aline. We connected through our cancer diagnosis and met many times for a walk with the lovely Spot or for a cuppa. She was generous with her time when I asked for advice (as was Guy) and I will always be pleased our paths crossed but be sad that it has ended this way.
What a wonderful tribute, Aline will definitely be much missed
Saddened to hear this news. Great memories of Aline, her enthusiasm and support for community projects in Cilcennin. She always managed to make every participant happy and engaged in a variety of activities irrespective of their knowledge and experience.
She brought so much to Denmark Farm in so many ways. As a trustee she brought so much wisdom by asking the simple questions that got to the heart of the matter being discussed. She will be greatly missed, but always remembered.
So sorry to hear this but wholeheartedly endorse the tribute to Aline here. She radiated knowledge and enthusiasm; she she shone inside and out; and I am pleased to have met her and worked with her on occasions. Life is so fragile and we all should make the most of it as Aline did, staying true to her prinsiples and beliefs throughout. An shining example to us all.
Very sorry to hear of Aline’s passing. I didn’t know her well but was a trustee with her at Denmark Farm for a while. She always seemed a very grounded person sure of what she thought but keen to leave plenty of room to hear others views and gentle in the expression of her own. Deep condolences to Guy.
I am saddened to hear of Aline’s passing. This is a lovey tribute to her. I only knew her for a short while at The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales. She was enthusiastic in all that she did.
I am so shocked and saddened to hear this .
I was Alines hairdresser for many years . She was so passionate about everything she did and gave so much . My condolences to Guy and Alines family . RIP ALINE XX
I’m very sorry to hear the sad news regards Alines. Aline has been a strong presence at DF and so enthusiastic and passionate about DF, her work and especially her patience and compassion with the volunteers. My sincere condolences to Guy. Aline has touched many lives and through their memories she will never be forgotten.
Moyrah xx
I’m very sorry to hear the sad news regards Alines. Aline has been a strong presence at DF and so enthusiastic and passionate about DF, her work and especially her patience and compassion with the volunteers. My sincere condolences to Guy. Aline has touched many lives and through their memories she will never be forgotten.
Moyrah xx
So sorry to hear this news about Aline, she was always very supportive to me as a staff member and always came to each task with enthusiasm and a real love of nature. She has left such a positive mark on Denmark Farm giving it a brighter future.