nature Archives - Blackpool Social Club

30 Oct

Life on the Wild Edges

Buzz Bury0 CommentsEnvironment and Nature, Sports & Wellbeingenvironment, Green Space, nature

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] You may remember back in February this year I caught up with Julie Norman to find out more about her developments and progress with using natural elements, colours and dyes for her inspiration in her work and art. This time I am back to find out more about Julie’s work and more specifically the Exploring the Wild Edges project. I first asked her what is the “Exploring the Wild Edges” Project and how it came about? Open green spaces and a chance to connect with the natural world became an essential part of life for most people over the…

01 Aug

Blackpool nature writers showcased this Wednesday

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsEnvironment and Nature, Literature & Spoken Wordauthor, book, books, environment, literature, nature, writers, writing

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Litfest’s New Writing Northwest has given emerging talent the opportunity to work with established writers over the spring and summer. There were four strands including Poetry, Fiction and Translation. The final one, Nature & Environment Writing, comes to a conclusion with a free reading this Wednesday featuring two authors with a Blackpool connection. Michelle Allwood was born in the resort, before moving to London. After working for the BBC, she is now at the BFI. She is dyslexic and neuro-diverse, and holds a BA and MA in Literature & Creative Writing. She is currently planning a PhD, focussing on…

06 Jul

New Normal Nature: Butterfly Bounty

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsColumns & Opinion, Environment and Nature, Heritagebutterflies, environment, heritage, nature

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] As we reach the height of Summer, sunny weather will see many butterflies on the wing - even in a dense urban area like Blackpool. They are a very accessible form of nature – some are very distinctive and recogniseable, you don’t need to get up early or stay out late to see them and with a modest amount of effort you can attract them to you. You also don’t need special equipment as most species are quite approachable. There are several ways to summarise the likely suspects you would see locally, I am going to tackle it by…

30 May

New Normal Nature: Dolphin Delights

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsColumns & Opinion, Environment and Naturebeach, dolphin, environment, nature, porpoise, seal

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] As we leave lockdown behind this follow-up series to Lockdown Nature will consider how we can continue to appreciate the nature around us. Perhaps you have resolved to stay local more going forward, perhaps you are just more attuned to nature from time on your hands whilst furloughed. We are starting with the sea mammals of Blackpool – seals, porpoises and dolphins. We are on the cusp of the peak season for cetacean (whale and dolphin) sightings in the seas off the Fylde, for two reasons. Firstly quite simply the species that occur all year round, Grey Seals and…

02 Apr

Lockdown Nature – Eyes To The Skies

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsColumns & Opinion, Environment and Nature, Heritageenvironment, heritage, nature

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] For the latest in his Nature In Lockdown series Stephen Dunstan looks at visible bird migration along our coastline. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It’s often said that shared interests help keep the spark in relationships. Jane and I have never really managed mutual pastimes, but of late we’ve got half way there. Before work, and before the lockdown crowds increase, we’ve been going to Rossall Beach. Jane combs the pebbled beach looking for sea glass, with much success, and I traverse the slightly elevated Promenade looking for birds on or over the sea or in the grounds of the neighbouring private school.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today we…

26 Feb

Lockdown Nature: The Greatest Show in Town

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsEnvironment and NatureBlackpool, murmurations, nature

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] In his latest instalment of Blackpool Social Club’s series on lockdown nature and our interaction with it, Stephen Dunstan casts his eyes skywards to the one show that always goes on. “See the artistry of nature displayed for your delectation and delight! Take your seats for the greatest show in town! Never the same performance two nights running! A miraculous demonstration of timing and synchronisation in such numbers as to take your breath away! Watch these masters of the air as they perform their mysterious dance only inches from disaster!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So says the circus ringmaster on North Pier at the…

10 Feb

Buzz Bury chats wild connections with artist Julie Norman

Buzz Bury0 CommentsEnvironment and NatureArt, artist, environment, Green Space, illustration, nature

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The natural world has always been my go-to for creative inspiration - structure, patterns, colours and materials, there is always something new to discover. Over 20 years ago I was lucky enough to work as Blackpool Zoo’s in-house artist and had the privilege of spending time alone sketching the animals before the Zoo opened to the public each day. This unique opportunity opened my eyes to the benefits of outdoor art for wellbeing, education, and community engagement along with the fascination of reconnecting with nature and set me on a new wild pathway.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] How have you kept creative through…

06 Feb

Garden Safari: Doing the Big Garden Birdwatch in Blackpool

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsEnvironment and Naturebird-watching, lockdown, nature

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Following on from the the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch last weekend, Blackpool Social Club's resident birder, Stephen Dunstan reports on his experiences of nature in lockdown. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We have all been spending a lot of time at home. For those who draw energy and hope from nature, their gardens have been a lifeline. And in that context colour and life comes not just from flowering plants, but also from visiting birds. In that context, it isn’t surprising that interest in avian garden visitors has expanded, and this in a nation that was already big on backyard birds. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The last two…

14 Jan

No Lockdown Stone Unturned

Stephen Dunstan1 CommentEnvironment and Naturebirds, environment, lockdown, nature, Wildlife

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] It seems a long time ago now, but in the first lockdown the roads were largely empty and most people were at home. If you asked them what they noticed, many people would have said to you that there was more birdsong as nature reasserted itself. Of course there wasn’t more birdsong really, it was just that we had more time and less aural interference getting in the way. At a local level all three lockdowns have led to a greater appreciation by Blackpool residents of one specific bird. Let me explain. The Turnstone is a familiar sight on…