Classic descriptions of our English countryside, its landscape, its wildlife and its people penned by generations of rural writers have greatly enriched our literary heritage. The Victorian scribes Gilbert White and Richard Jefferies are celebrated giants at the genre. But they do not stand alone. Today the works of ‘BB’ (the pseudonym for the celebrated author/illustrator Denys Watkins-Pitchford) are attracting an ever-increasing readership. Indeed, there are those who would argue that since his death in he has acquired cult status. He was born in 1905 in the Northamptonshire village of Lamport and much of his childhood was spent exploring ponds, streams, hedgerows and woods about his home. From the Northampton School of Art, he won a scholarship to study in Paris and, on his return, was accepted by The Royal College of Art and became assistant art master at Rugby School in 1930. During his time in Rugby ‘BB’ (the letters describe the type of lead shot used in wild-fowling) regularly contributed articles and illustrations to wildlife magazines.