The Evolution of New Ferry Butterfly Park’s Promotional Leaflet

Peter Martin and Freya Levy with the 2024 Butterfly Park promotional leaflet

The Butterfly Park’s first promotional leaflet was derived from a visitors’ guide and was created in 1998 by Year 8 students from Bebington High. It was a black and white leaflet with a good park map, but with few illustrations and the location map was a photocopy from an A to Z. Interestingly the leaflet described the park’s entrance road, Howell Rd, as lying between the railway line and the Queen’s Public House. This pub was soon demolished after Aldi’s arrival in 2002.

The front of the first promotional leaflet in 1998.

The map inside the 1998 leaflet.

In 2006, this leaflet was revamped by Steve Niblock, then local councillor for the Ward. The 2006 leaflet had specially made black and white illustrations produced by artists Emma Greenwood and Bob Hughes, used to illustrate the park map, and the location map developed into a sketch map.

The 2006 version of the Butterfly Park's leaflet

Black and white illustrations on the map in 2006

In 2012, as part of the Comma Project the promotional leaflet was revamped by Carol Ramsay, Artist in Residence at the park. At this stage, the leaflet went into colour production and the park map was replaced by Vicky Hose’s brilliant artistic map of the park. On the front the Comma butterfly replaced Speckled Wood, to fit in with the COMMunity Art (COMMA) project running at that time. The leaflet also mentioned the caravan-based visitor centre, which although fantastic, sadly did not last due to vandalism.

The first leaflet in colour in 2012

The park map, with illustrations in full colour

In 2018 the promotional leaflet was improved by John Ash with the addition of a colour location map.

An update to the location map on the back of the leaflet in 2018

This year the promotional leaflet has been enhanced again. The leaflet’s front now has an illustration of the Park’s Silver Jubilee Gates, complete with the new decorative tiles inset into the supporting brick pillars. The leaflet has an email contact address, QR codes, a link to the Park’s Facebook page and another to the Wirral Wildlife website, both full of useful information about the Park and ongoing activities. These extra resources give extra life and vitality to the leaflet. Two art works within Vicky Hose’s original 2006 illustrated map have been changed, to feature creatures that visitors are more likely to encounter. One of these was first recorded breeding at the Park and Wirral in 2014. Freya Levy, an artist new to the park, has blended these images into the leaflet following Vicky’s style. Can you see the different styles or work out which two invertebrates have been removed and which two added?

The latest version of the Butterfly Park leaflet

See if you can spot the difference as two species on the 2024 map have been changed

The 2024 leaflet has been an in-house collaborative effort via numerous emails and two in person meetings, patiently co-ordinated by Peter Martin. The meetings discussed ideas with the leaflet projected onto a screen for all to see clearly, allowing Peter to try out some changes there and then with instant feedback. The leaflet got up to version 22! Hopefully, the leaflet can be enjoyed by many, and more visitors will be attracted to the park resulting in some more volunteers. Thanks to Freya for her artistic talents, Peter Martin for his digital proficiencies in making this 2024 leaflet revamp happen and all who have commented at the various stages of its development. Creativo have printed the leaflet and there are plenty of copies at the Park. Do drop in once we are open, or on a workday, and collect some to share with friends or use as publicity.

Paul Loughnane

Wirral Council and Climate Action Scorecards

Climate Emergency UK assessed all UK councils on the actions they've taken towards net zero. The Council Climate Action Scorecard assessment consists of 91 questions or fewer, depending on council type, across 7 different sections, created in consultation with over 90 organisations and individuals. Each council was marked against these criteria and given a right to reply before the scores underwent a final audit. This work was completed between January and August 2023.

The good news is that Wirral Council is slightly above the average for single-tier councils - though at a Total Score of 42% well below the top scorers, who are London boroughs at 55-60%.

See the full Climate Action Scorecard results for Wirral Council here:
https://councilclimatescorecards.uk/councils/wirral-council/

A summary of Wirral Council's Climate Action Scorecard results

Wirral Council scored particularly well on Biodiversity and Planning and Land Use. They have a score of 69% for Biodiversity (compared to an average of 27%) and 55% for Planning and Land Use (compared to an average of 35%). The lobbying that Wirral Wildlife and other voluntary groups have done over the last 50 years is having an effect.

A Waste Reduction and Food score of 34% and a Transport score of 20% are low results. However everyone can play a part by thinking about everyday actions.

To reduce waste remember the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We must try and use fewer resources, mend whatever we can, share our good but unwanted items and recycle anything that has got to the end of its life.

For tips on how to mend, recycle, reuse and upcycle see https://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/actions/recycle-and-reuse

Wirral Repair Café can help with repairing items such as clothing and electrical appliances. On the first Sunday of each month they can be found at Wirral Deen Centre, 371-375 Borough Road, Birkenhead, CH42 0HA. Email: wirralrepaircafe@gmail.com

Wirral Repair Café is one of an international network of repair cafes where volunteers try to fix items, brought in by members of the public, that would otherwise be thrown away because they’ve stopped working or (in the case of clothing, can no longer be worn). The goal is to reduce landfill waste, encourage people to carry out their own repairs and save them money in the process.

They do not take business away from professional repairers and will refer the visitor to a professional if it’s appropriate. However, people are often aware that the cost of repair could be more than that of replacement, or that the value of the item is too little to justify the repair cost. Their motto is ‘Bin it? No way’

• Get advice and learn repair skills
• Examples of types of repair: electrical appliances, computer software, bicycles, clothing and textiles, upholstery, toys, costume jewellery, wooden items, musical instruments
• Soldering and sharpening services available
• Free repairs, but donations are welcome

To influence the Food score we can be careful what we eat, reduce food waste and shop and eat to reduce the climate impact of food. Planning meals in advance and using all of the food we buy will reduce waste. We can eat less meat, choose local and seasonal produce or even grow our own vegetables and fruit. If there is anything left over then home composting could be another thing to try – don’t send your waste to landfill.

For composting advice see
https://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/actions/how-compost-your-waste

What about the transport score? If we travel less, walk when we can, cycle or use public transport we can cut our carbon footprint. Of course, the public transport and active travel infrastructure needs to be there and that is something you could lobby about.

Wirral Council has a Climate Action Hub

Wirral has a target to be carbon neutral by 2041. This means that the amount of carbon that we produce compared to what we take out of the atmosphere is balanced. Learn more at the Climate Action Hub:
https://haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk/hub-page/climate-action-wirral

Public and personal action together will help us reach these targets for a more sustainable future on Wirral.

Take part in the Cool Wirral Climate Action Challenge

Autumn/Winter 2023 Prize Quiz: Winner and Answers

Hilbre Island, the answer to question 4 in the quiz. Photo: Peter Craine  

The autumn/winter 2023 prize quiz featured 50 cryptic clues to the names of islands or island groups that are part of the British Isles. The entries have been marked and the winner from the correct entries chosen.

Congratulations to Mrs Julia Needham, of Hope Valley, Derbyshire, who will be receiving a £10 gift voucher.

Here are the answers to those clues:

1. Named after a six-times Olympic gold medallist?  You can find the Old Man here in 29 (3). HOY

2. In 49 an island with strong spirit! (3). RUM

3. A Clyde island? No, a Welsh one! (6). CALDEY

4. Greeting Pound concerning this English island. (6). HILBRE

5. Beccy unable to stir without little Cyril in 26. (9). BENBECULA

6. One of 21, shares its name with a garment and a cow... (6). JERSEY

7. ... and another one of 21, also shares its name with a garment and a cow. (8). GUERNSEY

8. Silence and French territory in this group. (8). SHETLAND

9. High tension under hairpiece – sounds colourless! (5). WIGHT

10. Dress up to ruin drag here in Scotland! (8). GRUINARD

11. Shakespeare, for example? Looking back, yes. (7). BARDSEY

12. Television company, oriental, one of 49. (4). SKYE

13. What do I hear? Someone calling a taxi? Or frozen rain falling? No, an island! (7). HAYLING

14. Sport associated with All England, Wimbledon, without Radiohead. (6). COQUET

15. I start rearing African antelope. (7). IRELAND

16. A winter illness in 15. (6). ACHILL

17. Island fern I uprooted here. (11). LINDISFARNE

18. You are unlikely to find a coconut shy, ghost train or waltzer here! (4). FAIR

19. Chap with three legs?..... (3). MAN

20. ..... Part of one of those legs? (4, 2, 3). CALF OF MAN

21. Tune your television to this group? (7). CHANNEL

22. Low pitch sound of popular music. (4, 4). BASS ROCK

23. One of 49, reportedly first person to possess article. (4). IONA

24. Dad Raymond, has taken in direction to one of 29. (4, 7). PAPA WESTRAY

25. Short holy person follows international organisation, one of 8. (4). UNST

26. EU brothers die in excitement in this group. (5, 8). OUTER HEBRIDES

27. Personnel with article, one of 49. (6). STAFFA

28. This one of 21 came out of Noah’s Ark! (4). SARK

29. Group caused excitement for New York, but not Washington initially. (6). ORKNEY

30. Would you like to visit this one in 15? Rather! No hesitation! Nothing back to follow. (7). RATHLIN

31. This one is shut out roughly in 26. (5, 4). SOUTH UIST

32. Mostar rebuilt here, near JoG? (6). STROMA

33. Sounds daft! (6). SCILLY

34. Controversially, I target Brian. (5, 7). GREAT BRITAIN

35. Contemplate one of 49. (4). MULL

36. Might be right, solid or acute, with South European unknown. (8). ANGLESEY

37. Weary at end of adventure in 49. (5). TIREE

38. Am backing away from the coast in 8, and in 29. (8). MAINLAND

39. English football’s Alf, Welsh football’s Aaron and the CofE’s Michael share its name. (6). RAMSEY

40. I whirl, as sander starts up.  One island or two in 26? (5, 3, 6). LEWIS AND HARRIS*

41. For starters, look under North Devon – you’ll see this one. (5). LUNDY

42. There are several of these: they are entirely islands, so we are told. (4). HOLY

43. Punctuation mark for example, one of 49. (8). COLONSAY

44. Romeo enters the supermarket – one of 33. (6) TRESCO

45. An annelid’s loaf of bread? (5, 4). WORMS HEAD

46. One of 21, well wrapped up in thermal underwear. (4). HERM

47. British railway with that woman – one of 33. (6). BRYHER

48. I am a murderer, one of 49! (5). ISLAY

49. Her Late Majesty, after pub, found ladies to be married, led by His Excellency in this group. (5, 8). INNER HEBRIDES

50. A small river flowed on this one. (5). ARRAN

*We also accepted “Harris and Lewis”, as this is an accepted name for the island, although the letter count is wrong.