Derek Gow

HUNT FOR THE SHADOW WOLF is now available in paperback in the UK! 🐺🇬🇧⁠ ⁠ As Derek worked to reintroduce the beaver, he began to hear stories of the wolf, both real and mythical, and his fascination with it grew. He pieced together fragments of information, stories and artefacts to reveal a shadowy creature that first walked proud through the lands of Britain and then was hunted to extinction.⁠ ⁠ What Derek came to realise was that the underlying motives behind our hatred were actually rooted in power and profit. We turned the wolf into a savage beast and saw its extirpation as a civilising mission. But the wolf endured and Derek tells of his sightings through folklore and mythology, the records of grand estates and parish churches as well as wolf heads, both real and recreated.⁠ ⁠ @waterstones says "Maverick rewilder and author of Bringing Back the Beaver unravels the myth and history of wolves in Britain in this hugely entertaining and unexpectedly moving volume."⁠ ⁠ Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize @wainwrightprize for Nature Writing 2024

Delighted to reveal the cover for @derekjgow ’s HUNT FOR THE SHADOW WOLF 🐺 an amazing look at the lost history of wolves in Britain and the myths and stories that surround them. Derek’s dream is that one day the wolf will return to Britain, as it has already done in so many other parts of the world. Derek explains that over the years we have turned the wolf into a savage beast and saw its extirpation as a “civilizing mission”, but the wolf survived much longer than we thought and Derek shares with us the true nature of this creature— because as we seek to heal our landscape, we must reconcile our relationship with the wolf in order to bring it back. 🐺 Publishing March 2024! Beautiful cover design by @edward_bettison 🔥 #coverreveal #rewild #wolf #wolvesofinstagram #newbook #rewildingbritain #naturebook

New comfortable car seat that fits 3 if the big ones sit on the small ones.

At Cumbria Nature Festival with Tom Bowser and Paul Whitfield. Some brilliant people who have done so much for Britains Wildlife. Organised by Aimee Campbell lots of activities and talks for next 2 days. Come along if you can. Looks like great fun.

Hard to believe this was a beaten down paddock surrounded by broken fences with a bunch of horses standing in it. Still a way to go but responding well to planting and change. Filling nicely with wild critters.

Test pilot puppy. V hesitant.

❗️BIG NEWS❗️We are pinching ourselves that Derek vs Derek has been selected for @sheffdocfest 2026 🥳 🎞️ It will be the film’s premiere in the UK in June and marks some other exciting news - from July onwards we’re planning to bring the film to FARMERS FIRST! We really want the film to be a tool for change - and that’s where you come in… 💭 As your comments have shown there’s a lot of debate out there. We’d love to hear your thoughts on how the film can encourage positive steps forwards for both nature recovery and for farmers. How can we help to bridge the gap and unite people on both sides? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 📺 And if you’re interested in signing up for screenings you can find the link in our bio. And keep following our socials for more updates - there’s plenty more coming soon! #derekvsderek #sheffield #sheffieldfilmfestival #newdocumentary #biodiversityconservation

This Sunday at 11 o'clock, following the inimitable @derekjgow at 9.30, I'll be reading with @markhaworthbooth in Ashburton Arts Centre... it would be lovely to see friends there! Details below and link in comments... TALK: Words from the wild: poetry and place – conversations and readings with poets Jane Lovell and Mark Haworth Booth Sunday 3rd May, 11:00, Ashburton Arts Centre How can poetry illuminate and deepen our relationship with the natural world? Join award-winning poets Jane Lovell and Mark Haworth-Booth for readings from their latest collections—poems that reveal a deep attentiveness to place, wildlife, and the shifting balance between wonder and loss. Through poetry and conversation, they explore what endures and what is slipping away, and celebrate resilience and wildness in a changing world. Winner of the Ginkgo Prize, Jane Lovell explores our connection with the natural world – its beauty, fragility and resilience. Her latest collection, Tipping Point, has just been published by Night River Wood. Jane lives on the edge of the Valley of Rocks in North Devon. Mark Haworth-Booth studied English Literature at Cambridge University and Fine Art at Edinburgh University. He worked as a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum for over thirty years where he championed the art of photography. Mark writes about his habitat, wildlife and the climate and biodiversity emergencies. His latest book of poems is The Thermobaric Playground (2022). TICKETS £12 full price, £10 or £7 if you prefer – please pay what you can.

And so on a day when the sun shines she goes back to nature.

A farming conference where people use big words, the bar is not open at 8am and nothing smells of shit. Astounding.

I am uncouth. At cheese talk where were apparently meant to eat them in order while our host explains their merits. I did not know that. My plate is first on table. All v yummy.