Brendon Grimshaw – Early Life, Career & Moyenne Island

Brendon Grimshaw was an English journalist who became a conservation hero. He is remembered for buying a small, wild island in the Seychelles and turning it into a living paradise. For fifty years, he planted trees, cared for animals, and welcomed visitors who came to see what one person could do with patience and love for nature. His story shows how steady work can change even the roughest place into something beautiful and lasting.

Early Life and Career

Brendon Derek Grimshaw was born in 1925 in Dewsbury, Yorkshire. He grew up during a time of great change in Britain. As a young man, he began working as a journalist and soon proved his talent for writing and editing. 

At twenty-three, he became one of the youngest chief reporters in the country. Later he moved to Africa, where he worked for newspapers in Kenya and other regions of East Africa. He enjoyed travel, meeting people, and reporting stories. That spirit of adventure eventually took him to the Seychelles, a quiet group of islands in the Indian Ocean.

Discovering Moyenne Island

In 1962, while on holiday in the Seychelles, Grimshaw learned that Moyenne Island was for sale. It was small, about twenty-four acres, and had been abandoned for years. The land was thick with shrubs and thorny trees. Birds were scarce, and rats were everywhere. Grimshaw bought the island for £8,000. He saw potential in its untouched beauty and decided to make it his permanent home.

First Days on the Island

Life on Moyenne was simple but demanding. There were no paths, no water system, and no electricity. Grimshaw began clearing the land and studying the plants and wildlife. He imagined an island filled with trees, birds, and calm trails. From the start, he wanted to protect nature rather than exploit it.

Restoring and Protecting Moyenne

Grimshaw planted more than sixteen thousand trees over the years. He added palms, mahogany, mango, and papaya. He encouraged native plants to grow and made sure invasive weeds were removed. Brendon brought in giant Aldabra tortoises, which now roam freely on the island. Birds returned in large numbers as the forest grew. Moyenne became a safe space for animals and a rare example of careful conservation.

René Antoine Lafortune, a Seychellois man, joined Grimshaw early in the project. The two men worked together for decades. They built paths, watered trees, and watched over the tortoises and birds. Their friendship was built on hard work and a shared love for the island.

Life on the Island

Grimshaw built a modest house for himself. It held books, maps, and personal treasures from his travels. He collected rainwater, used simple power sources, and cooked with basic tools. His days were calm. He looked after the tortoises, welcomed guests, and kept the island clean and safe. He preferred a quiet life over modern luxury.

Grimshaw always kept dogs on Moyenne. One of them, named Yellow, became a favourite of visitors. Yellow followed him everywhere and continued living on the island after Grimshaw’s death. The dog became part of the island’s charm and a gentle reminder of its former guardian.

Writing and Legacy

In 1996, Grimshaw published A Grain of Sand: The Story of One Man and an Island. The book tells how he discovered Moyenne and turned it into a sanctuary. His story also appeared in several documentaries, giving new audiences a view of his remarkable work. Through these stories, people learned how much a single person can achieve when they respect nature.

Offers and Net Worth

Grimshaw was not a wealthy man, although he owned something priceless. He once received offers to buy Moyenne for millions of dollars, with one reaching about fifty million. He refused every offer. Brendon believed the island should stay a safe place for animals and people who wanted peace. Money was never his main goal; protection of the land was.

Death, Grave, and Preservation

Brendon Grimshaw died on July 3, 2012, at the age of eighty-six. He was buried on Moyenne, close to his father, Raymond, who had lived there with him for a time. Before his death, Grimshaw arranged for the island to become Moyenne Island National Park. 

This status protects the land and its wildlife for future generations. Visitors can walk marked trails, meet the tortoises, and see Grimshaw’s grave, which bears a message about his gratitude for life and nature.

Myths and Old Stories

Two old graves lie on Moyenne, long before Grimshaw’s arrival. Some say they belong to pirates who once hid treasure on the island. No real proof of buried gold has been found, but the legends add colour to its history. They remind visitors that Moyenne is not only about trees and animals but also about mystery.

Conclusion

Brendon Grimshaw’s life is proof of what steady hands and clear purpose can achieve. He changed an abandoned island into a vibrant home for plants and creatures. He protected it from commercial use and left it as a gift to the world. Today, Moyenne Island remains a living memory of one man’s vision and his deep respect for the earth.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Who was Brendon Grimshaw?

Brendon Grimshaw was an English journalist and conservationist. He became famous for buying Moyenne Island in the Seychelles and turning it into a nature reserve. He spent about 50 years planting trees, caring for wildlife, and protecting the island.

2. Where is Moyenne Island?

Moyenne Island is a small island in the Seychelles, located just north of Mahé. It covers around 24 acres and is now part of Moyenne Island National Park.

3. How much did Brendon Grimshaw pay for Moyenne Island?

In 1962, Grimshaw bought Moyenne Island for £8,000. At the time, it was abandoned and covered in thick brush.

4. Did Brendon Grimshaw have a partner or family?

Grimshaw never married and had no children. His closest companion was René Antoine Lafortune, a Seychellois man who helped him restore Moyenne. His father, Raymond Grimshaw, later lived on the island with him.

5. What animals live on Moyenne Island?

The island is home to giant Aldabra tortoises, many species of birds, fruit bats, and harmless lizards. Dogs, including one called Yellow, also lived with Grimshaw.

6. What book did Brendon Grimshaw write?

He wrote A Grain of Sand: The Story of One Man and an Island, published in 1996. It tells how he bought Moyenne and made it into a protected sanctuary.