Connor Carruthers began making his first documentary, Minster Marshes, aged 15 after meeting Save Minster Marshes founder George Cooper while filming another project at Fredville Park. Learning about National Grid’s plans for a converter station on the Kent marshes inspired him to spend months travelling from his home in West Sussex to document the wildlife that could be affected.
Connor filmed and narrated the documentary and composed its music, working with a number of musicians including friends, his GCSE music teacher and his piano teacher. He completed and released the film aged 16. It premiered at the Natural History Museum and has since been screened at venues across Kent, with Connor attending many of the screenings to answer audience questions. He also interviewed local MP Sir Roger Gale for the film.
Now 17, Connor is continuing to make documentaries through The Planet We Call Home. He is currently producing Nature On Your Doorstep, a five-part series due for release in 2027, exploring wildlife close to where he lives and showing that people don’t need to travel far to connect with nature.
Nomination details
Why this matters
By making and screening this fabulous documentary around the area of the proposed converter station Connor has raised the profile of the precious wildlife that lives in the area which will be impacted by the planned converter station. Many people were unaware of the diverse wildlife in the area and it has motivated more people to take action to protect the wildlife and oppose the planned converter station. By motivating more people to take action Connor has undoubtedly made a huge contribution to protecting the countryside.
Impact
By making and circulating this documentary widely Connor has brought people together for the screenings. The more that people come together the more they see that people do care and we can make a difference. If a young 15 year old can do this for the future of the planet then it motivates people to do their bit too. Connor’s film has been a reason for bringing people together and sharing the amazing images that he has captured of the special wildlife living in our countryside, which they would not ordinarily be able to see.
Inclusion and accessibility
By bringing images of elusive wildlife (like the beaver) into the public eye it helps those that are not able to go out and see these for themselves to access their local wildlife.
