Don Sharp
1942-2004

A Tribute to Don Sharp
9th April 1942 - 7th May 2004.

There is rarely a day passes when a memory of
Don does not pop into my thoughts.

I first met Don in April 1991 when I was introduced by a mutual friend who knew
of my enthusiasm to learn the art of taxidermy. During our first phone call I got the
impression he was very passionate about improving the face of taxidermy and
encouraging newcomers into the field.

His willingness to help and advise is something I had never known before or since.
Without hesitation he invited me over to Wollaton Hall to spend some time with him
and give me an introduction to the until then mysterious world of taxidermy.

Despite an obviously busy schedule Don spent several days showing me various
methods and techniques for preparing birds, I was awestruck by the quality and quantity of work in various stages of completion around his workshop in the basement
of the magnificent Wollaton Hall where Don had worked for 37 years having worked prior to this for Gerrards in London since the age of fourteen (1956).
I recall there were constant phone calls from people requesting advice from Don, all
of which he handled in the same friendly and polite manner I had also been greeted
with. In my thirteen years of knowing and spending a lot of time in his company
I never once heard him speak ill of anyone or complain about the constant Natural
History enquiries he handled.

One area I found Don very enthusiastic about was his work with blind people
where he would present them with numerous mounted mammals and birds and allow
them to touch and feel the specimens (sometimes to the point of total destruction)
so that they could create an accurate mental picture of the specimen.

Don was a founder member of the Guild of Taxidermists in 1976, when, along with
a handful of likeminded enthusiasts he set out to improve the quality and public
perception of taxidermy. In 2003 as a recognition of a lifetime's dedication to taxidermy,
Don was awarded with an Honorary Membership of the Guild of Taxidermists.

Don was a true naturalist and devoted a lot of his spare time to caring for wildlife
which included amongst others, Bee-keeping, Barn Owl release programmes, and
breeding and release schemes for various British mammals including Dormice and
Red Squirrels. It was not unusual to visit Don at his workshop and find him looking
after injured or sick animals and birds for later release.

Don left a large void in the world of taxidermy and in the lives of his family and
friends when he passed away at the Queens Medical Centre Nottingham on 7th May
2004. I for one will be forever indebted to Don and hope that his ambition to promote
and improve taxidermy through the Guild of Taxidermists is never forgotten and continued for many years to come.

Don Sharp. A very good friend and true master craftsman.

Rob Marshall – Taxidermist

August 2009