Teesdale botany expert's book to be reprinted thanks to Lottery grant

MORE than half a century after it was published, a botany expert’s book about the wonders of upper Teesdale is to be reprinted as part of a drive to get more people to understand the area.

Durham Wildlife Trust has been awarded £9,700 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to support a project that aims to provide up-to-date information to residents and visitors.

The money will fund a new edition of the authoritative book, The Natural History of Upper Teesdale by Dr Margaret Bradshaw, as well as talks, guided walks and educational activities for schools. Durham Wildlife Trust will link up with The Upper Teesdale Botany group, run by Eggleston’s Dr Bradshaw to publish an updated edition of her book. It will be available in early 2018.

Local experts will revise the text and invite extra information from residents to inform their writing. People can look out for exhibitions and opportunities to attend workshops in the coming months. Talks and guided walks are planned for spring and summer 2018.

Durham Wildlife Trust will also work with local schools to provide learning days about the special nature of upper Teesdale, with visits for them and their families to see and understand the area.

By engaging as many people as possible – both residents and visitors – the project aims to increase the respect for habitats and wildlife in upper Teesdale and help to promote better conservation. Dr Bradshaw said: “It is more than 50 years since the first edition was printed to reveal the wonderful structure and great variety of wildlife in upper Teesdale to all.

“Much is unique and rare in Britain and this project aims to show how precious the wildlife and habitats are. The fifth edition will have a new look, will be updated with some new authors and will fill the gap from the publication of the previous much-sought-after editions.” Kirsty Pollard, education officer at Durham Wildlife Trust, added: “Thanks to National Lottery players, the project will highlight how rich and striking the landscape of this region is.

“Education sessions and community events will provide engaging hands-on activities which will bring to life the dazzling world of the upper Teesdale flora and fauna.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to link with local schools bringing young scientists into the wild to explore the rich diversity of wildlife and geology in the upper Teesdale area.”