Back to Spring | An Interview with Brigit Strawbridge Howard - Guest post by Chloe Eathorne

 

Chloe (left) and Brigit exploring the cemetery

As a presenter of The Wildflower Hour, a local community show for Source FM, I'm  passionate about exploring all things art, poetry, nature and mental health. In the midst of winter, with the trees bare to the winter sky and only the hardiest of wildflowers in bloom, I cast my mind back to brighter days, of the spring of 2023. In May I had the pleasure of interviewing bee advocate, wildlife gardener and naturalist Brigit Strawbridge Howard, alongside filmmaker and wildlife advocate Kevin Thomas, of Castle Beach Films, in Falmouth's Victorian Cemetery.

 

Fat-headed Mining Bee

Cornwall is full of vibrant natural spaces, and this interview delves into life in late spring in the Cornish cemetery blooming with wildflowers, as we discussed all things nature, mental health and headed on a search for the Fat-headed Bee and its Cuckoo bee. I was excited to explore the local wildlife, after reading Brigit’s book ‘Dancing with Bees: A Journey Back to Nature’ which opened my eyes to the wonderful world of bees, when beforehand I had very little knowledge of, and in fact only thought there was one type! How wrong I was! From the Nomad Bee, to the Common Carder Bumblebee to the Mining Bee and Cuckoo Bees, we discussed the many different species in the UK, which call this beautiful area home.

Cuckcoo bees lay their eggs in other bee's nests

The conversation began as we explored a beautiful large fallen Pine tree left to be reclaimed by nature. We explored the benefits of leaving dead wood, which provides valuable sources of food and shelter for insects and wildlife, as the conversation meandered into childhood memories of etching. We discussed the value of connecting with nature for our mental health and well-being, and the benefits of eco therapy.

Bridgit spoke about her journey of rediscovering her connection to nature and the ways in which we can all reconnect with nature, bringing more of it into our daily lives, from getting outside each day, and spending time observing the world around, being present. There are many ways in which we can support and protect our local wildlife and bee species from our own gardens, from allowing native wildflowers, like primrose, buddleia, and marigolds to bloom, and leaving a section of the garden untended – as some bees love long grass or making nests in compost heaps or under hedgerows.

Brigit is a patron of Caring for God's Acre, a conservation charity for Burial Grounds across the UK, with the mission of protecting and rejuvenating beautiful havens of heritage and wildlife. We spoke about the ‘Love Your Burial Ground Week’ which occurs each June, a celebratory week which has been running for many years, encouraging all to celebrate these fantastic places in any way you choose. From local history talks, volunteering work parties and even teddy bear picnics!

 

Spring in Falmouth's Victorian cemetery

Brigit, also an ambassador for Kernow Conservation, talked about the work of the community-led conservation organisation, which developed from a student group at the Penryn campus of the University of Exeter. The team are passionate about protecting, enhancing, and connecting habitats, reintroducing lost species, and monitoring Cornwall’s biodiversity. They are currently working on the reintroduction of water voles, an important ecosystem engineer, across the county.

During our exploration of the cemetery, we came across a pair of researchers checking on the recently installed jackdaw nest boxes as part of the Cornish Jackdaw project. I spoke with Lois, a researcher from the University of Exeter, who discussed the Great Tits currently inhabiting the nest boxes and was given a demonstration on how the boxes are checked.

Jackdaw Nest Box

Throughout the day, Brigit checked in on the Merlin Bird ID app, whose features allow users to record snippets of bird song and aid in identifying species matches. It was enlightening to discover the vast multitude of species of birds we heard during our exploration, including Chiffchaff, Greenfinch, Jackdaw, Nuthatch, Blackbird and Blue Tit, which further highlighted the importance of these habitats for our local wildlife.

There are a multitude of benefits to leaving spaces like these which not only serve as a place for reflection, but also serve as haven for insects, plants, birds and wildlife, and provide an opportunity for the community to connect with nature. It’s spaces and conversations like these that remind us of the importance of practising the art of noticing, which is so often overlooked in today’s faced-paced society. The next time you’re out and about, take a moment to really notice and appreciate the vibrant world of nature and that is all around us.

 

The interview is available to listen here: https://www.mixcloud.com/THEWILDFLOWERHOUR/brigit-strawbridge-howard-interview/

Exploring Falmouth's Victorian cemetery with Brigit Strawbridge-Howard and Chloe Eathorne - Part Two

 

The woodpile to end all woodpiles

Quite a bit of organising had occurred beforehand to arrange for everyone to be at the same place at the same time with the gear checked and batteries fully charged. However the plan for what was to follow was deliberately less detailed to allow for more spontaneity between Brigit and Chloe and allow the conversation to take its own path. Nothing was rehearsed, there were no second takes.

I guided the group around the cemetery and as we walked we all chatted together, only when we started filming did Jon recording the sound and myself with the camera fall silent – well largely so, I did add a snippet of information in the next video.

Simon Penna, the Grounds and Facilities Manager for Falmouth Town Council has an understanding of the ecological value of deadwood. In our Kimberley Park he left a dead Ash tree standing for years that became home to a variety of insects and a nest site for Blue Tits until its state of decay made it unsafe. There are still two tree trunks that have been left in the park.

This approach is still uncommon, so as I led Brigit towards a Pine tree that had fallen in a storm, I expected them to be surprised, as they approached it I switched the camera on and pressed record.   

What delights me about this video is that it revealed to me a different way of experiencing the cemetery. In fact I have to say when visiting the cemetery I usually focus on its parts and slip into cameraman/photographer mode or concentrate on its insects and wildflowers. When I do sit down for a break my mind tends to work through the changes I have seen and sort them into positives and negatives. How much is the ever expanding area being taken over by three cornered leeks becoming a problem, being one example. 

So to listen to the conversation flow from exploring the holes bored into the trunk, to childhood memories and then onto the benefits being in nature can bring to our wellbeing was for me, quite magical.

As we continued our walk we bumped into two researchers from the University of Exeter's campus at nearby Penryn checking nest boxes that had been recently been installed by the Cornish Jackdaw project. For more information see the link below.

Lois, one of the researchers, agreed to give Chloe an overview of why they were in the cemetery and to demonstrate how they checked the nest boxes without using a ladder.

Links

To buy a signed copy of Dancing with Bees from Brigit visit: http://beestrawbridge.blogspot.com/

The wildflower Hour: https://www.mixcloud.com/THEWILDFLOWERHOUR/

The Cornish Jackdaw Project: https://www.wildcognitionresearch.com/cornish-jackdaw-project