Hector Wilks Explained

Hector Mark Wilks (1919,^[1] - 1992^[2]) was an English botanist and conservationist. A retired chartered surveyor,^[1] he was chairman of the Kent Trust for Nature Conservation.^[3] He was also a councillor on the Whitstable Urban District Council.^[2] He is perhaps best known for rediscovering the monkey orchid (Orchis simia) in Kent at a site near Faversham and subsequently introducing the species to Park Gate Down near Elham.^[4] The site near Faversham remains one of only two native sites for the monkey orchid in the British Isles and has remained closed to the public since its discovery. On 21 May 2007, Park Gate Down was renamed "The Hector Wilks Reserve" in recognition of his involvement with the reserve from its inception.^[5]

His sister was the teacher Jean Wilks.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Retired Chartered Surveyor Hector Mark Wilks . Directorstats . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107014852/http://www.directorstats.co.uk/director/hector-wilks/ . 7 November 2017. 15 March 2023.
2. Web site: Canterbury City Council Meeting Minutes, November 1992 . Canterbury City Council . https://web.archive.org/web/20181020223848/http://meetings.eastkenthousing.org.uk/Data/Council/19921125/Agenda/$COUNCIL%20(25-11-92)%202478.htm.pdf . 20 October 2018 . 15 March 2023.
3. Kent looks with fear to the future . New Scientist . 11 October 1973 . 100 . 4 November 2017 . Google Books.
4. Wilks, H M . 1960 . The rediscovery of Orchis simia in Kent . Transactions of the Kent Field Club . 1 . 50-55.
5. Web site: Park Gate Down - The Hector Wilks Reserve . . 13 August 2008. 13 March 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022941/http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/park-gate-down-the-hector-wilks-reserve. 7 November 2017. dead.