Special tribute to butterfly expert unveiled at Orley Common near Ipplepe

A colourful display panel about the lives of butterflies has been unveiled at Orley Common near Ipplepen this week as a lasting tribute to former volunteer and butterfly expert Maurice Edmonds, who died in 2008.

The panel, which features the many colourful species to be found on the special limestone hilltop site, is a tribute to expert naturalist Maurice Edmonds, whose quiet enthusiasm furthered knowledge and understanding of butterflies and other wildlife at Orley Common and other sites over many years.

It has been fitted in a custom-made timber mount, constructed by Teignbridge Rangers, and fittingly was the first job completed by a new eco-friendly printer installed at South West Colour Labs.

Teignbridge District Council manages Orley Common, with council Countryside Ranger Leo Henley Lock helping to design the panel. It was funded by members of Kingskerswell Natural History Society and donations from other friends.  Maurice was a long standing member of the Society, and regularly lent Rangers at the common a hand with all sorts of important tasks.

The unveiling of the new panel has been especially timely as it comes just prior to the ‘Big Butterfly Count’, which takes place between Saturday 24 July and Sunday 1 August.

The survey is being run by the charity Butterfly Conservation, in association with Marks & Spencer as part of their ‘Plan A’ campaign to encourage sustainable agriculture and help protect the environment. The Big Butterfly Count is a nationwide survey aimed at helping assess the health of the environment, and anyone can take part. More information, a spotter sheet and record sheet are available online at www.bigbutterflycount.org

(Image: Kingskerswell Natural History Society and the charity Butterfly Conservation. Senoir Teignbridge Ranger Sian Avon is pictured far left with members of the Kingskerswell Natural History Society and Butterfly Conservation. On the right is Ranger Leo Henley-Lock, who helped design the panel and built the wooden frame.)

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