Get a load of science!

If you'd have told me that this week would be full of even more stresses and strains than last week (which was pretty high on my stressometer) I wouldn't have believed you. But this week I'm beginning to feel like the world's falling apart around me at a terrifying rate... and amidst this maelstrom that is my daily life, I forgot to let you in on some good news.

Early this week a group that I belong to was awarded a grant of £12,000 from the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) for a project that incorporates science, music and art (SMaART - neat name eh?!). The group itself is called the Cornish Hedge Research and Education Group (CHREG for short). I know what you're thinking..."Cornish hedges? A bit esoteric isn't it? And what on earth are you doing involved with it?!". I have asked myself the same questions occasionally (on my more sane days obviously), but the more I've become involved the more interesting and exciting it's become. From the start the main opportunity for me was to put together some workshops and teach art to primary school children, at a stone academy on Bodmin Moor, using the hedge as inspiration and a source of materials. Then of course there was the even more exciting prospect of grubbing about looking for the odd bird's nest, or maybe even the odd dead bird. But what I hadn't reckoned on, was meeting a group of such amazing people that includes a geologist, a conservationist, a biologist and a few other scientisty types with long titles that go in one ear and out the other! What they all have in common is a passion for the Cornish hedge - whether that's the flora, fauna, geology or whatever it might be they specialise in. I've learnt loads of interesting stuff from them; for example the hedges are home to some of the oldest species in Cornwall because they were built when the land hereabouts was still forested, then when it was deforested the hedges were all that remained of the original natural habitat...now I didn't know that before!

Sometimes it feels a bit odd being the only arty one amongst a group of scientists, but what I love about them is that they're so down to earth (sooooo refreshing) and keen to include me in everything. A couple of weeks ago I even went along to the forum of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation of Biological Recorders, with my friends Jacquie and Chris, which gave me an idea or two for some art projects... Some things were just as I would have predicted though...and many beards were in evidence!

Have a look at the Cornwall Wildlife Trust website to find out more about the Cornish environment and wildlife - and of course lots of wonderful pictures of all things cute and furry!