News
VCR and Assistant VCR vacancies
in Scotland
We
are looking for keen, fit and reasonably competent
botanists to fill a number of existing and
forthcoming Vice-county Recorder vacancies, which
will arise when the present recorders
retire. The current vacancies are for VC83
(Midlothian) and VC85
(Fife). Further
information on the vice-counties and details of how
to apply can be downloaded here. The closing date for applications is March 1st
2010. We
are also looking for VCR assistants to help VCRs
computerise their botanical records. Currently
the VCs of Angus, the Lothians, Mid-Ebudes (Mull,
Tiree & Coll) and Peebles require assistance.
Full
details of what is required of the applicant and
how to apply can be downloaded here. The closing
date for applications is March 1st 2010.
Elaine Bullard retires as Orkney VCR
Elaine Bullard
has retired from her official role as Orkney's
BSBI Vice-County Recorder at the remarkable age
of 93. She was appointed as VCR for Orkney in 1963,
some 46 years ago. In that time she has contributed
greatly to the knowledge of Orkney's plants
and habitats, gathering information from all over
the isles. Elaine undertook valuable early work
on Scottish Primrose with the Orkney Field Club
and made an important contribution on plants and
vegetation in 'The Natural History of Orkney' by
R. J. Berry. Her checklist of the flowering plants
and ferns of Orkney, first published in 1972, is
still an essential reference for anyone interested
in the Orcadian flora.
For many years she was a determined campaigner for a biological records centre for Orkney, a one-stop shop where all the data could be safely stored and readily accesses for the benefit of all, and in this she has been successful, with the eventual founding of the Orkney Biodiversity Records Centre.
Elaine's contribution
to Orkney botany has been widely recognised - both
locally and further afield. She was awarded an
MBE in 1981 for services rendered to nature conservation
in Orkney. In 2007 Heriot-Watt University awarded
her an honorary doctorate in recognition of her
contribution to botany.
Darwin Exhibition at Elgin Museum
As part of the 2009 Darwin anniversairies, Elgin Museum will be putting on display six original letters from Charles Darwin. The letters relate to Darwin's search for three orchids he needed for his study leading to the publication of the first edition in 1862 of The Various Contrivances by which Orchids are Fertilised by Insects. Also on display are a couple of related letters from Watson, photos of the orchids in question and a copy of Darwin's orchid book.
The Museum holds several collections of pressed plants, dating from the 1830s, as well as various fossil plants. As an independent museum, a small entry charge has to be made, but a visit to the Museum, in its Grade A listed building, with award winning collections of Pictish stones, fossil fish and reptiles, and other tales of Moray and beyond, is unlikely to disappoint.
Elgin Museum: 1 High Street, Elgin, Moray, IV30 1EQ
Opening hours: April-October,
Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 11-4
Winter, and any other times: by appointment
Telephone: 01343 543675
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