Dame Judi Dench surprises her partner and animal keepers at 25th anniversary celebrations of Surrey wildlife centre
Acting icon Dame Judi Dench surprised her ‘chap’ with a cake for him and his dedicated animal keepers to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the renowned British Wildlife Centre in Surrey.
The multi award-winning actress visited the home of the UK’s leading collection of native species to congratulate her partner David Mills MBE and his staff on a quarter of a century of conservation.
With over 40 species of wild animals, the specialist zoo, near Lingfield, provides a unique insight into the world of Britain’s wildlife.
The much-loved national treasure Dame Judi is a firm fan of the centre and its 82-year-old owner David, a former dairy farmer who has become one of Britain’s leading conservationists and who realised his childhood dream to open a zoo and specialise in British wildlife.
David recalls meeting one of the world’s most famous and distinguished actresses for the first time in 2010 when she paid a visit to the centre.
“She fell in love with my otters, not me!” said David.
“I remember her asking if there was anything she could do to help and me replying very animatedly that I was building a red squirrel enclosure and that she should come and open it.
“She said yes, and the rest is history.”
Animals, including polecats, mink, stoats, weasels, owls, badgers, otters, foxes, harvest mice, deer and Scottish wildcats, live in carefully designed environments at BWC. Various feeding stations offer visitors discreet close-up viewing, almost impossible in nature.
David’s philosophy of ‘conservation through education’ drives the centre’s opening times. On weekdays in term time it specialises in school visits, to encourage children to appreciate and respect Britain’s native wild species, so they develop a life-long interest in protection and survival.
“It’s so important for children to have the chance to see and understand the diversity of wildlife that there is in Britain and to see the animals in large enclosures, landscaped to recreate their natural habitats,” said 90-year-old Dame Judi.
“David and his team have built a truly remarkable centre for protection, conservation and breeding programmes, while providing the best experience it can for visitors.”
The centre will be celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout 2025 with a variety of wildlife-themed promotions, prize draws and giveaways.