On the 24th August 2016 the world of river conservation and catchment management suffered a considerable loss. Dr Dylan Bright, who had been fighting cancer for the past two years, sadly passed away peacefully with his whole family round him, including his wife Janine and two children Oscar and Flo. Dylan was a mountain of a man who grabbed life by both hands and shook every last ounce out of it.
After spending his formative years at the University of London reading Marine & Freshwater Ecology, Dylan moved to Bristol to study for a PhD in freshwater ecology at the University of Bristol, before finally succumbing to the draw of his native Cornwall. In 1999 Dylan joined the Westcountry Rivers Trust which was only a few years old with only a handful of employees, but Dylan instantly made a big impression. His encyclopedic knowledge about aquatic habitats, a pragmatic approach to conservation and habitat management, as well as his insatiable thirst for life meant he quickly became a key player in what was becoming not only a stronger Trust, but a stronger movement. At the time Dylan took over directorship of Westcountry Rivers Trust the wider Rivers Trust movement had grown from a handful of Trusts to what is now over 50 groups and Dylan had a significant impact on many of the organisations and the individuals.
Locally, he supported people across all the environmental movement to reach their personal and collective goals and was a keen advocate of looking at complex large scale problems and breaking them down into manageable tasks. His ability to use academic knowledge and research to tackle environmental problems in a practical way was second to none. Whilst he as always keen to battle the status quo, wherever it may be, he was always happiest in the river pulling out fish barriers or inspiring the next generation. He influenced and changed the lives of countless individuals and the breadth and depth of feeling is testament to his boundless energy and support. After taking the Westcountry Rivers Trust to new heights he moved to South West Water to further the role of partnership working and catchment management and enact the change he always knew was possible. This meant encouraging people to go the extra mile and take a leap of faith that our collective efforts would be rewarded, which they always where.
I was fortunate enough to meet Dylan at Bristol University back in 1998 and, together with some of the strongest friendships I have to this day, we would put the worlds to right albeit during drunken games of spoof. Little did I realise then how much time I would spend with Dylan and his family, but after my wife secured a job at the Trust and I seemingly drifted into the organisation in 2003 our lives have never been apart. Thirteen years later and I can honestly say that my time with Dylan both on the beach with our families, during our time tag-teaming conferences, both before and after he joined South West Water, and on countless crazy trips around the UK, EU and world has formed some of my fondest memories.
Dylan loved life and he loved living it. He was the gas to everyone else’s brakes and he would see positivity and optimism in every situation, which when twinned with a stoic calm, was a potent combination. We always said that we wanted to change the world and that once we were done we wouldn’t be needed anymore. Even in the short time he had he shone brightly enough to show what the environmental movement could become and it is beholden on us to carry forwards this light. He truly was the best of us and I will miss my colleague but most of all my friend.
Dr Dylan Ian Paul Bright
06/01/1972 – 24/08/2016
I didn’t know Dylan as well as most of the staff at WRT but we had worked on a few things together over the years, more importantly he always helped me with career support and motivation.
A true inspiration for our world of water conservation and a jolly good bloke! larger than life – sadly missed by many.
I don’t remember exactly when I first met Dylan, but as I was an interloper on the ‘plant’ floor (researching entomology/parasitology: 1993–1998), our paths crossed frequently while waiting to use the darkroom opposite Prof Walsby’s office in the Biology department at Bristol; Dylan was doing his PhD on cyanobacteria (also not a plant, I believe!). A lot of his contemporaries from that time will remember many more details than I do, but I do remember some great sessions in the White Bear; I also remember some shambolic round table sessions (I use the term as a compliment – my own talks were very dry and boring). My final memory of Dylan from this time is of Friday night trips to the video store on Chandos Road, where Dylan worked to earn some extra cash – Jenni and I always called in on the way back from the Surma Indian takeaway to say ‘hi’ and to drop Dylan off a poppadum or two.
After I took up a lectureship at Exeter, our paths didn’t cross again until 2000, when Dylan got back in contact to ask if I would be prepared to work with him on a project to explore the use of molecular genetics to study trout populations on Dartmoor. Up until this time my research had focused on the population genetics of insects and parasites, but Dylan had no doubts about our combined ability to apply modern genetic techniques to fisheries management and conservation – this typified Dylan’s approach to science – he knew the power and potential of an approach and he wasn’t going to let a little issue like no previous experience in the field get in the way of some good science with potentially valuable applications. Ultimately, with Arlin’s enduring patience, this early work on trout genetics led in 2004 to the first of several successful European Union-funded science projects, the Atlantic Salmon Arc Project (ASAP), and later the Atlantic Aquatic Resource Conservation (AARC) project – he always was great at coming up with catchy acronyms. My fondest memories of this period are of some crazy European project planning trips with Dylan and Lynne Hyland in Scotland, Ireland, Spain and West Virginia, USA and some mad rushes to check-in at tiny airports; all fruitful and all very enjoyable. Sadly, everything seems more grown-up nowadays…
If the ability to see the inevitable and beneficial role of a new technique in conservation and management constitutes vision, in this case molecular genetics, then young Dr Bright was truly a visionary. He was also great fun to do science with, he was humbling to chat with and he was a bugger to drink with. I will miss him and his enthusiasm and insight immensely, as I’m sure will many of us.
My thoughts and best wishes are with Janine and their family.
High points: Science with huge societal impact; double-brandy room tab roulette.
Low points: Dylan having washed his driving licence (which meant I ended-up having to do all the driving on the West Virginia trip); Dylan trying to pass a Vauxhall Frontera off as an off-road vehicle!
The Dylan I knew over many years was an inspiration to all. Beneath his, at times, gregarious and outspoken directness he was a sensitive, caring man, not in the least ‘self serving’.
I always felt that our Dylan had a true vocation, caring for both the environment and its human inhabitants. A role model to both young and old, taking his stewardship very seriously. With humility he related to people from all social classes and education.
We will all miss him, but his legacy lives on.
A very tragic loss to Aquatic Environmental conservation, movement here in the South West and far beyond.
My heart goes out to is family.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dylan a number of times, in my professional career. He was undoubtedly an inspirational “Bright” light, to everyone in our profession.
He will be sadly missed.
Brilliant to read this Laurence, so many memories, so much positive environmental engagement and legacy. And I even got a chance to work on the Atlantic Salmon Arc Project with him and the rest of the WRT team after Dylan showed me a scribbled on beer mat with an amazing idea. x
Gone too soon.
I m so very sad to hear this. Dylan was a lovely human being. I was actually in the same yr as his brother milo. But I partnered milo and Dylan in badminton many times. I m so very sorry and send all my love to all his family xxx
There is so much I could say about Dylan. Intellectually, he was a giant, and what he achieved in driving river restoration and conservation forwards is almost unparalleled. Many others have commented on this, and I can only concur with their words. But is it Dylan and great bloke I will miss even more. Generous of spirit with a lust for life, he taught us all how to tackle life’s opportunities but also how to approach their challenges with as much optimism and care. I miss him greatly, and the world is a poorer place with his passing. The best celebration of his life that we can achieve is to emulate his work and his approach to wringing every last drop out of life out of every moment. I will raise a glass to him. A few in fact. That, at least, I know he’ll have wanted!
We will miss the big man greatly. Our regret is that in the last year Hazel and I never managed to manufacture a way for our paths to cross with him and his family. As Laurence says he was too busy shaking every ounce out of life. I am glad he had the opportunity to do so.
After he secured a job with WRT with a 9 page covering letter, some of my happiest times of my working life were spent with him in the office in Lifton, a puppy Rocket sitting in a drawer, our desks paired so we spent more time bouncing ideas off each other than we did looking at the screens. Arlin marching back and forth spreading a rocket indiscretion into a 6ft wide strip on the carpet, while we both tried to keep a straight face. Great stuff arose from that time that I still use. Dylan was an inspiration, a man who took rivers trusts to the next level, whose presence, intellect and charisma gave the Rivers Trusts access to the highest levels.
Some of my happiest times were spent with him and his wonderful family. Holding a deep conversation while Oscar climbed on his head. I will miss the Articulate king, the red wine smile at Laurence’s epic wedding, the great man’s bumbling lack of fishing prowess as he fiddled with his reel while a huge Tyne salmon crashed on the surface before breaking him. A windy nights seatrout fishing on the Teign, when we made base camp on a pile of badger poo. We only realised when we got back into his car..by which time the golden mazda had badger poo smeared across the seat. It was a tribute to Dylan’s initiative that he found the only man in St Austell without a sense of smell to sell it to!
Most of all our memory will be Dyl being dragged away by his ear by Janine, still smiling happily and glass in hand allowing Hazel and I to get together.
It is a pleasure and an honour to have known him and offer Janine, Oscar and Flo, Hazel’s and my love, thoughts and wishes at this time.
“A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.” President John F. Kennedy
Dylan had a lot of big ideas that became reality and was a true inspiration to many of us. He will have an enduring impact on the lives of those who were fortunate enough to work with him, many others who have and will benefit from his work with Westcountry Rivers Trust; farmers and their animals who have a better quality of life, all of us enjoying a cleaner and more beautiful South West and a lasting legacy in the species who are thriving and surviving thanks to his work.
When I look at photos of him, I feel the warmth that surrounded him, his sense of calm was infectious. I am grateful for the ten years I spent as his partner in crime at WRT, we had a working relationship that was based on openness, trust and very little fear of failure. Nurtured by Arlin Rickard, Michael Martin and Ken Hill among others, we learnt on the job, and I remember many a glance with Dylan in a meeting where we thought “how did that happen?” both for good and bad! Dylan always took the time to explain (translate) his ideas and plans to me as a non-science person, he never once made me feel stupid for not being able to keep up with his fast paced thinking. There were a lot of good times, and as Jamie Stevens has mentioned lots of crazy travel and drinking thrown in, I’m glad we took the time to enjoy it sometimes. I am sure he would say one last thank you to all of you who have worked in the WRT family over the years.
I have too many funny memories of Dylan to share here, but one of them is where we were hosting European colleagues at the Headland Hotel in Newquay (no Lawrence, this wasn’t your night of shame! :o)) and Dylan had asked Bert Biscoe to read a poem he had commissioned especially. I’m not entirely sure our Dutch, Belgian and Irish guests understood a word, nonetheless, they felt the Cornish passion. I encourage you to take a watch on YouTube, the first post of WestcountryRiversTV where there is a recording of Waterwheels or bust which makes me smile.
So, I will remember a great Cornishman who had such a positive impact on my life, loved his family immensely, lived every minute and was liked, loved and respected by so many. Good bye my dear friend, I’m going to miss you. xx My love and thoughts to Janine, Oscar, Flo and all Dylan’s family.
Dylan was inspirational, a great leader in the world of catchment management and restoration for the Rivers Trusts. I feel privileged to have briefly rubbed shoulders with him and I am so sad for his family, to whom I send all my best wishes.
All we can do now is thrive on his legacy and greatness.
A very sad loss….
I worked with Dylan many years ago on the WRP project, and found him to be a patient, knowledgeable and very affable chap with ample time to answer many questions from a wet behind the ears college graduate!
Years later when trying to think of a former colleague who would act as reference for an overseas residency application – one which would involve a mind numbing amount of paperwork, it was Dylan that immediately came to mind…and, true to form and character, he was more than willing to wade through this task for me, thus enabling a conservation career to continue and expand. Many thanks Dylan!
What a truly inspirational and positive man Dylan was. I’d only had the opportunity to meet Dylan on a couple of occassions, and on the first occassion, at a packed conference with so many “important looking folks” hovering around him, Dylan chatted to me for a goodd 20 minutes or so and inspired me to follow my passion for aquatic sciences and reach for the opportunity to work for the Rivers Trust. Having taken his words on board I managed to secure a job with Severn Rivers Trust where I’ve been for the past 5 years and couldn’t be happier. It’s great to think that in a short space of time what a positive impact Dylan has had on so many of us, the way they aproach things, and what that has done for us and our environment.
Rest in peace Dylan. You were an inspiration to so many. I will remember your vision as a ground breaker who did what others only dreamed of. Personally I will remember you as a kind man with the brightest smile. Go well.
The most lovable person you could find from his birth to now when we are left behind, never a harsh word, goodnight sweet Bright
Dearest Dyl
You will always be with us as the Bright Rainbow assuring us that the warming sun will return just as we will all return to join your beautiful atoms in good time
Till then we will remember and love you always dear son
Pa xxx
Very sad news. A great man and a huge loss.
I wish I could have worked with Dylan More. Whenever our paths crossed, I always found myself coming away energised and inspired – and that the slog that we put ourselves through to try to make the environment better is a really worthwhile endeavour, and something to be proud of.
He was a life affirming chap, an inspiration, and we’re all poorer without him.
In the two decades I have been involved in river basin and catchment management, I have come to learn that champions are what drive it. Dylan was a shining light – the brightest on the horizon. Dylan was a leader, a motivator, a legend. Dylan was instrumental in helping us with the Catchment Based Approach, getting it started and funded. We owe Dylan a huge debt of gratitude for his time, effort and enthusiasm. Thank you Dylan! You will be missed and very fondly remembered.
I am truly saddened to hear that my old school pal has passed away but what a life you lived Dyl. Your caring heart has been lovingly laid bare by these heartfelt comments from your nearest and dearest and it is clear the world is a better place having shared you with us. I am so sorry our paths went in different directions my friend but I remember you with great fondness. From St. Mewan and Poltair to just mucking about in Lanjeth. Memories I will cherish. Take a nap dear Dyl, albeit way too soon, and thank you for your friendship. Your star shines brightly and always will. I send my warmest wishes to your family at this time…
…I am proud to have known Dylan. A good man who made a difference to all he touched. I am sorry for your loss.
I first met Dylan at the Rivers Trust Conference held on the Ribble in 2004. The Ribble Trust was
still a volunteer based body and it was talking to Dylan over those two days and his enthusiasm
that encouraged me to take the plunge and employ our first member of staff. After that we met
each year at Rivers Trust Conferences and Board Meetings and over the next ten years I could
seek his advice at any time and he was always willing to help.
As a result of his enthusiasm and help the Ribble Rivers Trust now employs nineteen staff and
since Jack became our Chief Executive we have been able to help other local Trusts, and thus
continue what Dylan helped to start. Dylan was an example to all in the Rivers Trust movement and
we have so much to thank him for. He will never be forgotten. His cheerful manner, his
knowledge and his ability to share his ideas will long remain as his legacy to the Rivers Trusts.
I know that his family will miss him terribly and our hearts and thoughts are with them all.
A great loss to his family, all who knew him and the rivers of the South West he worked so hard to protect. His outstanding contribution was recognised when he received the Stuart Gardiner Award for Conservation at the SWRA AGM in 2014 – ever the modest man he said it was really an award for the whole of Westcountry Rivers Trust.
Although we often met and worked together professionally, my fondest memory is batting against his leg break bowling at Morebath in Tom Le Quesne’s annual cricket match – some of the slowest ‘loopiest’, tempting bowling ever and so typical of a man who was a gentle giant – every ball was accompanied by his laughter whether it beat the bat or flew to the boundary. He personified Kipling’s advice to treat the twin impostors of triumph and disaster the same and I’m sure that sustained him in the final battle.
Dylan was a very good friend to the River Exe Project and thereby to me as the first RETA, (River Exe and Tributaries Association) volunteer project manager. Without him the project may not even have started because he added the amiable expertise to overcome certain ‘official organisation’s’ suspicion of it and RETA capabilities. Certainly without him it would not have expanded its horizons and complexity. He provide background consultancy and support to his local WRT staff, me and others and was able to direct significant amounts of funding to cover certain key aspects of the project and hereby ensure its continuation. I, like every Exe fisherman, owe a debt of gratitude to Dylan.
Dylan was a dear friend and his passing is a great loss. Although I hadn’t seen him since emigrating to Canada 3 years ago I will cherish the happy time we spent studying together in Bristol and the subsequent years after Dylan moved back to his beloved Cornwall. Dylan’s talents were many; a gifted scholar, sportsman, raconteur and well as being kind-hearted and generous of spirit. I have so many happy memories of Dylan and will enjoy recounting them whenever I next meet people who also had the pleasure of knowing Dylan. Many of these stories involved Dylan getting the better of me in one way or another (such as the time at his wedding when he convinced me that a kilt should be worn with the pleats at the front) but his joyful Popeye-esque smile and childlike innocent giggle that went alongside these pranks meant that I enjoyed them as much as everybody else. Dylan was a man who made me stand a little taller, believe in myself a little bit more and achieve more than I thought I could. I am going to miss you more than you would ever have thought.
The best role model anyone could wish for dad brought light and happiness to all who knew him thank you everyone for your kind words and happy memories he will be missed so much by so many people thank you dad for being amazing.Xxxx
A delightful being who I knew from toddlerhood onwards. I believe I even changed his nappy once!
Dylan was a force of life; his energy, enthusiasm, humour and compassion couldn’t fail to touch everyone. A huge loss for his family and friends- my heart goes out them.
Unfortunately I only recently became aware that Dylan very sadly passed away last year.
I only met Dylan once.
This was in Brussels a few years ago in a workshop on the usefulness of ecosystems services in the context of river basin management planning and specifically in support of the Water Framework Directive implementation.
There he gave a very inspired talk on the River Tamar.
I asked him if he was interested to write a book chapter together on the “Key factors for successful application of ecosystem services-based approaches to water resources management – The role of stakeholder participation”. Yes he was!
In our chapter we compared his experiences in/with the river Tamar with the experiences in the New York Catskill’s case and the experiences in the case ‘Farmers around Amsterdam as Water Managers’ in the Netherlands. Key persons for these two other cases also happily agreed to become co-author.
The four of us jointly analysed the three cases and we extracted “facilitative leadership” as one of ‘key-factors’ for successful application of ecosystem services-based approaches to water resources management.
Facilitative leadership is in my opinion exactly what Dylan has provided in the River Tamar case.
Unfortunately, inspiring, facilitative leaders are scarce. With the passing away of Dylan this pool of leaders became even scarcer.
I feel proud and privileged to have been able to work together with Dylan.
Dylan: a big thank you for this opportunity!
Jos Brils
Having retired from being the INTERREG UK contact point I have only just learnt today that Dylan died in 2016.
I can only say what a loss he must be. I loved working with Dylan and all his team at WRT and I think it says a lot about him that he managed to get the nicest, most enthusiastic, and knowledgeable people working with him.
I count myself lucky to have met and spent time with him and can only imagine the loss his family must be suffering.
I can still hear the smile and chuckle within his voice………….
Thanks for your thoughts Heather you are right we feel his enduring good nature and miss him a lot
Kindest regards
Paul Bright
So sad remember him being born many years ago
Rest in the Valleys of our Dreams Dylan