Meet the editor: A UNIQUE SPIRIT
Penny Sparrowhawk
“That girl’s got swashbuckling spirit,” I thought to myself as I watched Paula Ansley, long legs tucked into a very fetching pair of cowboy boots, calmly tackle and coax a large and decidedly unimpressed Cape cobra into a plastic container at our GAWS kennels in Greyton.
“I’m very pleased I did a snake-handling refresher course yesterday,” she laughed, addressing a small group of pale, wide-eyed onlookers who had wisely chosen distance over bravery.
So who is Paula Ansley? That’s a question which could take some time to answer, as Paula has a remarkable collection of stories and adventures to her name. In Greyton, she is best known as the owner and editor of the Greyton Post, our local publication, with her office tucked into the Oak and Vine Courtyard. She is married to Les, one of our intrepid firefighters and an irrigation expert, and together they have two children who have recently flown the nest and are forging their own paths.
Paula and Les both ride, and their much-loved horses — another of Paula’s passions — are very much part of family life on their property. They have recently completed a stunning 200km endurance ride in the Sahara desert with their daughter.
Originally from England, Paula spent over 20 years in health sciences as a molecular immunologist before expanding her academic journey to study Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship at Newcastle University — a qualification that speaks volumes about her curious mind and adventurous spirit.
And speaking of spirit, Paula was the creator of the now internationally famous Indlovu Gin, made using botanicals sourced from elephant dung. The idea was sparked during a safari in Kenya, where Paula observed elephants foraging and realised their diet created a unique natural blend of botanicals. From this unlikely inspiration came a gin unlike any other.
Yet behind the bold ideas and fearless encounters lies a quieter, deeply observant nature-lover. This gentler side of Paula is beautifully expressed through her photography of the natural world, and in her sensitive portraits of pets and other animals.
Multi-talented, curious, and endlessly inventive, Paula Ansley has an uncanny ability to turn her hand to anything that captures her interest. Greyton is richer for it, and we are fortunate indeed that Paula and Les have chosen to make our village their home.
