This page is presented as a tribute to the Trust’s founder and vetDavid Gordon Rollo MBE (1936-2012)Although born in Hertfordshire, David always considered himself to be a Scot and from his accent he certainly sounded like one. He played the pipes, and pipe music would often be heard coming from his car.After studying at the Royal Veterinary College in Edinburgh, he worked in England, then in Invergordon and Hawick before moving to Berwick in 1979 to set up a veterinary practice which he ran with a colleague for about two years, before carrying on single-handedly for nearly 26 years, latterly at the Chandlery on the Quayside.Alongside his pets and farm animal work he was always interested in the welfare of wildlife and set aside a room in his premises for the recovery of wildlife in his care.So when there was a major pollution incident contaminating many of the swans in the Tweed estuary, David was naturally called in, and only the swift action of a small band of volunteers under his direction averted a disaster.This highlighted the need for a permanent local wildlife rescue group and eventually resulted in the setting up of the Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust in 1992 to provide support for the local swan herd and other wildlife in the area.After retiring from practice at the end of 2006 he continued to work for the Trust on a daily basis, very rarely taking a holiday, except his annual visit to the Edinburgh Tattoo to hear the piping.When rescuing wildlife he never minded how many times he was called out or what time of day it was. He always gave 100%. When he was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List in 1997 for services for the care of wildlife in Northumberland it was certainly well deserved. Even with his health failing, he still came in every day until he died suddenly in December 2012 at the age of 76. Some feared that the Trust would not last without him, but the members were determined to make sure that it did continue and to be a lasting tribute to his memory.With this in mind it was agreed to rename the Trust property “The David Rollo Centre”, a new sign being unveiled in June 2013 on the 21st anniversary of the Trust’s foundation. David would no doubt have been proud, but rather embarrassed by this tribute.A framed photo of David also hangs in the office at the Centre, where he can still keep an eye on proceedings as those following his example care for the wildlife that he loved so much.
This page is presented as a tribute to the Trust’s founder and vet
David Gordon Rollo MBE (1936-2012)
Although born in Hertfordshire, David always considered himself
to be a Scot and from his accent he certainly sounded like one. He
played the pipes, and pipe music would often be heard coming
from his car.
After studying at the Royal Veterinary College in Edinburgh, he
worked in England, then in Invergordon and Hawick before moving
to Berwick in 1979 to set up a veterinary practice which he ran
with a colleague for about two years, before carrying on single-
handedly for nearly 26 years, latterly at the Chandlery on the
Quayside.
Alongside his pets and farm animal work he was always interested
in the welfare of wildlife and set aside a room in his premises for
the recovery of wildlife in his care.
So when there was a major pollution incident contaminating many
of the swans in the Tweed estuary, David was naturally called in,
and only the swift action of a small band of volunteers under his
direction averted a disaster.
This highlighted the need for a permanent local wildlife rescue group and eventually resulted in the
setting up of the Berwick Swan and Wildlife Trust in 1992 to provide support for the local swan herd
and other wildlife in the area.
After retiring from practice at the end of 2006 he continued to work for the Trust on a daily basis,
very rarely taking a holiday, except his annual visit to the Edinburgh Tattoo to hear the piping.
When rescuing wildlife he never minded how many times he was called out or what time of day it
was. He always gave 100%. When he was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List in 1997 for
services for the care of wildlife in Northumberland it was certainly well deserved.
Even with his health failing, he still came in every day
until he died suddenly in December 2012 at the age of
76. Some feared that the Trust would not last without
him, but the members were determined to make sure
that it did continue and to be a lasting tribute to his
memory.
With this in mind it was agreed to rename the Trust
property “The David Rollo Centre”, a new sign being
unveiled in June 2013 on the 21st anniversary of the
Trust’s foundation. David would no doubt have been
proud, but rather embarrassed by this tribute.
A framed photo of David also hangs in the office at the Centre, where he can still keep an eye on
proceedings as those following his example care for the wildlife that he loved so much.
