Nigel Hughes
How did Nigel end up in Papua New Guinea and subsequently co-writing Trees of Paradise?
He has a track record of jumping into the unknown. Nigel believes that Trees of Paradise can serve as a tool for encouraging people to make their own leaps into the unknown.
First published in 1992, this eBook edition of Trees of Paradise includes a new Fast-Forward section and new pictures. As we all know, the health of the rainforest is crucial to the health of the planet – and our own health. By buying an eBook you will be helping to save this rainforest for posterity. All the authors’ royalties will go towards setting up the Trees of Paradise EDUCATION FUND for the Hunstein Range children whose schooling is currently collapsing. With some basic education, the next generation will at least have a chance to stand up against the exploiters of the future.
Born into an Army family in Glasgow, his father was posted to the West Country. Nigel spent his formative years on the Devon coast, relishing the freedom of the wild cliffs and beaches. His three older siblings followed tradition and joined the Armed Forces. When a careers advisory person came to his school, he was faced with a dilemma: he was encouraged to join the Marines but excelling in the arts, Nigel broke rank to study Fine Art at Exeter College of Art, then trained as an actor at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School where in 1971 he met Ric Edelman his future husband.
He spent 20 years as professional actor, singer, dancer; his favourite roles: Paul McCartney in ‘John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bert’, Jimmy Porter in ‘Look Back in Anger’ and Richard II.
When the provocative headline “Gay Plague” caught his attention in 1985, he responded by setting up Northern Lights Trust to help people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. He committed ten years to this work travelling throughout USA, Europe, and Australasia. Simultaneously rainforest destruction caught him and in 1987 he set off with Ric in search of virgin rainforest. Drawing on his theatre background, they worked with indigenous actors devising Eco dramas, touring The Hunstein Range by dugout canoe, performing in villages that had no concept of industrial logging. This led to the protection of 2,000 sq. miles of threatened forest. Back home in Suffolk Nigel and Ric founded Green Light Trust. Its aim: to empower their rainforest friends to stand up for their rights, and to motivate communities in the UK to take environmental action.
Alongside his environmental focus Nigel became a Leadership and Creativity business consultant – developing his unique approach to Leadership Training over 30 Years. He has worked globally with many FTSE100 companies, culminating in spring 2019 by forming Outstanding.Global Ltd www.Outstanding.Gobal with the mission of uniting Nature and Human Nature.
Finally, Nigel has become Executive Producer of Ric’s film “CHEETAH” and is working in close partnership with Bedlam Film Productions LLP to make this film happen – despite current restrictions imposed by the Corona Virus.
Heartfelt Thanks
Nigel offers heartfelt thanks to PEACH PUBLISHING LTD for republishing Trees of Paradise as an eBook. This comes at a fortuitous time when rainforest destruction has leapt onto the world stage again – and education in remote Papua New Guinea is collapsing.
