My Wiltshire Life - Maurice Avent

8:27am Thursday 20th March 2008

Maurice Avent, 64, is chairman of the Wiltshire branch of the Butterfly Conservation Society and chairman-elect of the national society.

The Butterfly Conservation Society is a fast-growing charity that concentrates its efforts on conserving and studying butterflies and moths and their habitat. He has recently devoted his time to the management of the Site of Special Scientific Interest he owns close to Castle Combe, with a view to improving the range of flora. He has a degree in civil engineering from Manchester University and went on to specialise in pipeline and utility engineering in the UK and abroad before setting up Avent Engineering Ltd in May 1989. In 2003 cancer in the right arm culminated in an amputation and the decision to sell the business and to concentrate on his work with the Butterfly Conservation Society. He is married to Mary, and has children Craig, 36, who is married, has a 12-month-old son, William, and is expecting another in April; Merryn, 31, who is also married and expecting a child in September and Noel, 35. He also has two stepchildren, Victoria, 31, who has a two-year-old daughter, Theadora, and a new baby boy and stepson Adam, 33.

How would your best friend describe you?

He was asked and what he came up with could be summarised as "determined and personable."

Where would you recommend for a great evening out?

A great evening out is normally made by the company of good friends, the Neeld Arms in Grittleton is extremely convivial; food in The Castle is tasty. Further afield we have often enjoyed the hospitality of Jean Pierre at the Beaujolais in Bath.

What do you do for fun?

Mary and I try to cram in too much, I still love to ski and play boules, including Bath Boules and we thoroughly enjoy watching rugby, particularly when my elder son is playing for Corsham. Our most regular pleasure is enjoying the countryside, walking through the local valleys and noting the butterflies and birds seen.

What motto or phrase do you try to live your life by?

Who dares wins.

Who in the public eye do you most respect and why?

Nelson Mandela for having the statesmanship to successfully negotiate with his captors of 20 or more years without bitterness or rancour.

What is your biggest regret?

We are currently regretting the sudden death of our handsome mongrel from Battersea Dogs Home, Angus, who passed away last week.

What is your favourite TV programme or film and why?

Any of the David Attenborough TV programmes, particularly his recent series summarising the wildlife of our planet. He is president of the Butterfly Conservation Society and I have been fortunate to meet him briefly, his presentations carry enormous weight internationally, a true environmental warrior.

What makes you sad?

The decline of our environment and more relevantly the apparent lack of real political will to deal with this momentous issue and thus improve the future for our grandchildren.

Describe your perfect day.

A perfect day would see all our children and grand- children with us.