Barn Owl Trust marks 40 years with unique art collaboration and fundraising puzzle

A creative partnership between Dartmoor-based artist Glen Middleham and the Barn Owl Trust has given rise to a special commemorative artwork that tells the story of the charity’s 40-year journey, piece by piece.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Trust’s first Barn Owl release on 28th July, Glen has produced a striking collage artwork that is now available both as a limited-edition fine art print and a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. The project honours the Barn Owl Trust’s mission to protect wild Barn Owls and their habitats through conservation, education, information, research, and sanctuary work.

Glen Middleham, co-founder of Jam Contemporary Art in Ashburton, created the piece exclusively for the charity. The artwork intricately weaves together decades of vintage Barn Owl Trust promotional materials, quotes, facts, and campaign imagery, some dating back to the 1980s. From a distance, the piece forms a dramatic image of a Barn Owl ready to hunt at dusk; up close, it reveals a rich visual history of the Trust’s work.

Reflecting on his personal connection to the charity, Glen said:

“I remember the Barn Owl Trust visiting my primary school; it was the first time I’d seen a Barn Owl in real life. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by birds, especially owls. Supporting the charity’s vital work through my art is an incredibly exciting prospect.”

The Barn Owl Trust, a grassroots charity based in Ashburton, Devon, was officially registered in 1988 but began its conservation efforts earlier in the 1980s. Since then, the charity has helped transform public awareness and understanding of Barn Owls in the UK, while directly supporting their survival through practical conservation and education.

The proceeds from each puzzle and print sold will directly support the Trust’s ongoing efforts, which remain entirely donation-funded with no government financial backing.

Co-founder and trustee Frances Ramsden said:

“We’ve collaborated with Glen to raise vital funds, as we don’t receive government support and rely entirely on donations and the funds we can raise. That’s why this wonderful puzzle and print are so important – they celebrate 40 years of our conservation work, and every single one sold will help support the next chapter.”

Both the jigsaw and print are available for purchase via the Barn Owl Trust website and in person at The Jam Gallery, North Street, Ashburton.

This collaboration is not just a celebration of the charity’s achievements but a call to action, inviting supporters to help protect one of Britain’s most iconic and beloved birds for generations to come.

Visit www.barnowltrust.org.uk for more information or to support their work.