James Nash children’s books – from The Winter Wild to The Legends of Holly Tree
CHILDREN’S author James Nash, 42, was shot and killed this week after an alleged dispute over planning with a neighbour in Hampshire.
His mother Gillian described him as a “beautiful, talented son and brother.” Here is more about him and his works.
Who was James Nash?
James Nash was a 42 year old childrens author and illustrator from Dorset, who died after he was shot by a neighbour on Wednesday, August 5.
The self-employed father of two died from his injuries in hospital on Friday night after being shot by Alex Sartain, 34, with a “handmade gun” in his front garden in Upper Enham, Hampshire.
Mr Nash was a former aerospace engineer and moved into a thatched cottage seven years ago with his wife, Sarah, 40, after changing careers to become a writer.
What did James Nash illustrate and write?
James was a much-loved member of his village community, where he served as a parish councilor for Enham Alamein.
According to his website, Mr Nash was resident artist at The Hawk Conservancy Trust, and co-founder of the Society of Natural History Artists.
He wrote and illustrated children’s books, including The Winter Wild: Long Tails and Lantern Light (2019).
Mr Nash, whose website features wildlife paintings in oil, pastel and watercolour, published his first children’s book, The Winter Wild: Long Tails and Lantern Lights, in September, and The Legends of Holly Tree: Henry and the Major.
He also illustrated mugs, cards and calendars within the theme of The Winter Wild.
He describes himself on Linkedin as “someone that can be trusted to deliver to my commitments, and believe that those include individuals and teams as well as the projects themselves”.
He added: “Working with schools and charities I have been privileged to engage with both young and old, able-bodied and those who struggle with severe conditions such as cerebral palsy and depression.”
The Winter Wild is described as a beautifully illustrated short tale in verse of winter gatherings at Holly Tree.
Tributes from his community have mentioned how he would dedicate his paintings to local friends and businesses.
He would also do free drawing workshops for local children in Test Valley, Hampshire, according to his Facebook page.
Last year Mr Nash played Father Christmas for local kids at the village hall.
What happened to James Nash?
Mr Nash was shot in the head by a neighbour, Alex Sartain, 34, with a homemade shotgun in his front garden in Upper Enham, Hampshire.
The attack, that happened at around 3pm Wednesday, is also believed to have injured Mr Nash’s wife, but she was not seriously hurt.
Sartain’s father had been trying to get his son sectioned, saying that he had been convinced Nash was a government spy.
It has also been locally reported that there was a planning dispute between the two that Sartain had become obsessed with.
Sartain fled the scene and died in a motorcycle crash as police pursued him north along the A343.
Mr Nash died Friday night in Southampton General Hospital with his wife by his side.
His mother, Gillian Nash, confirmed on social media in a touching tribute.
She wrote: “Thank you very much for your comments. Very sadly I have to tell you that James Nash died of his brutal injuries today.
“His father, his sister and I are in a total state of shock and grief. We have lost a beautiful, talented son and brother.”
Local Conservative Councillor Phil North wrote on his Facebook page: “This is such devastating news.
“I’m sure there will be many more tributes to James in the coming days and weeks – and in time an opportunity for the community to come together with his family to consider some form of lasting memorial to his life.”
Hampshire Police today confirmed they have launched a murder probe after Mr Nash passed away in hospital in the early hours of the morning.