Didn't we do well?!
Didn't we do well?!
Thousands of Staffordshire nature records made in worldwide wildlife spotting competition
Back in April we ran a piece from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust encouraging readers to take part in this year’s City Nature Challenge, a global nature-spotting and recording event which ran across the first bank holiday weekend of this month.
The Trust have told us that: “3,955 observations were made, by 135 people in Staffordshire, recording 810 different species. The county placed eighth out of the 11 UK places that took part, and 114th out of the 492 places worldwide that took part.”
Didn’t we do well?!
George Godson-Wood, Ecological Data Officer for Staffordshire Ecological Records (SER), said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in this fun nature counting challenge. We’ve had some great feedback about how enjoyable it was and how it’s helped people learn how to identify many more species, as the app can be used to identify what you’ve found.
“Even though the challenge is over, we always need nature records to help us better understand where wildlife is thriving, and where numbers are lacking. This data is essential in our work to protect nature.
“We’d encourage people to continue counting – simply download the free iRecord or iNaturalist app to your phone or tablet, or use their websites to record sightings. Or you can report sightings directly to SER on our website: www.staffs-ecology.org.uk”
An aside
The editor happened to be chatting to an artist friend about these nature identification apps. He has a special folder full of them on his smartphone home screen. He’s a bit of a ‘nature nerd’, yes.
She told him a nugget of information about a popular spring-flowering bright yellow bush and a much-loved TV celebrity. That’s right, the Forsythia bush, she informed, is named after a relative of Bruce Forsyth.
The editor’s app doesn’t tell him this sort of thing. So he Googled it, and found this from the BBC.
Bruce Joseph Forsyth Johnson - comes from a line of horticulturists including William Forsyth, who gave his name to the shrub forsythia.
Forsyth's great-grandfather, Joseph Forsyth Johnson, designed a number of UK estates and curated the Royal Botanic Gardens in Belfast.
He also created gardens in the US and refurbished Prospect Park in Brooklyn.
“I never knew that,” said the editor.
Upcoming Events:
Friday 12 May, 7.30pm - Scratch Night, Artshill Volunteer Performers Group, an evening of sketches, stand up comedy, poetry, monologues, and more, at B Arts, Stoke, ‘pay as you feel’.
Friday 12 May, 7.30pm - Friday Twilight - Divorced, Behead, Died: An Audience with King Henry VIII, Potteries Museum & Gallery, Hanley, “an ‘audience’ with the ‘King’, during the course of which, the public are invited to question and ‘petition’ their Monarch. Henry recounts the events of his life and long reign, telling of his wives, children and Coronation.” Ticketed.
Friday 12 May, 6.30 to 10.30pm - Valiants in Kenya Quiz Night, Port Vale Football Club, Burslem. “A Quiz night to raise money for our trip to Kenya in October with Port Vale Foundation and African Adventures!!” Ticketed for individuals or teams.
Friday 12 May, 7.45pm to 10.45pm - Potteries Folk present Ian Bruce. The Cafe, Fenton Town Hall. “One of the most highly regarded of Scotland's singer-songwriters, a strong and characterful singer and guitarist with a reputation for well-crafted and tuneful songs.” Ticketed.
Saturday 13 May, 10am to 4pm - Have A Go At Archery, Trent Valley Archers, a free session open to all, refreshments available. Michelin Athletic Centre, Rosetree Avenue, Newcastle, ST4 6NL.
Saturday 13 May, 6-10pm - The Lotus, Sober Rave. “It’s free and you’re all welcome, because you’re all heroes on your own epic journey,” Restoke. Fenton Town Hall. Dry Bar and mocktails, Cacao Bar, DJ’s, dancers, lights and lasers. Free but ticketed.
Wednesday 17 May, 7.30 to 9.30pm - Philosophy in Pubs, ‘What would be the consequences of a cure for ageing?’ Described as a ‘meaty discussion’ for people with a passion for enquiry, listeners welcome too. The Greyhound, 67 George Street, Newcastle. Free.
Thursday 18 May, 2pm - Fascinating Folk of Newcastle Film Show: Military matters, Brampton Museum, Newcastle. “A special archive film show from Ray Johnson looking at Newcastle's military links.” Ticketed.
Thursday 18 May, 5-8pm - You Are Here Poetry Workshop, at Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley. “On the 20th May 1895 Reginald Mitchell was born. We will be commemorating our local hero and aircraft designer with a FREE poetry workshop with local artist Gabriella Gay.” Ticketed.
Friday 19 May, 7.30pm - An Evening with Terry Conroy and presenter Nigel Johnson, Mitchell Arts Centre, Hanley. “Stoke City legend Terry Conroy in conversation with 'Mr. Stoke City' , presenter and commentator Nigel Johnson. A night not to missed for all the Potters fans!” Ticketed.
Saturday 20 May - The Card opens at New Vic Theatre, Newcastle. “A revival of Claybody Theatre’s original production seen at Fenton Town Hall in 2022, this joyous stage adaptation of Arnold Bennett’s classic comic novel is set in a fictionalised Stoke-on-Trent known as The Five Towns.”
Saturday 20 May - exhibition Around the World in 80 Dolls opens at Potteries Museum and Gallery, Hanley. “Inspired by the 150th anniversary of the publication in 1873 of the adventure novel, this family-friendly summer exhibition, explores the museum’s wonderful doll collection.” Free.
Sunday 21 May, 10am to 1pm - Limes Allotments Plant Fair, Thornburrow Drive, Hartshill, “vegetable and flower seedlings, plus handicrafts and pre-loved items for sale.”
Friday 2 June, 6.30pm - Degree Show opens Staffordshire University. “We invite you to visit our campus and enjoy the creative work of our students graduating from BA (Hons) Art and Design and Media and Performance courses.” College Rd, Stoke.
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