Annual Conference 2005

Venue: Cressing Temple, Essex

Nature over Time

A National Conference chaired by David Bellamy
Celebrating the centenary of the British Naturalists’ Association and the tercentenary of John Ray
Plus art exhibition,outdoor activities, natural history workshops, gala concert

Braintree, Essex, May 14 & 15 2005

Organised by the British Naturalists' Association with the John Ray Trust

Centenary Conference News

A report of the Conference is now published in the Winter05/06 issue of Country-Side available free to members of BNA

Join now to be sure to receive your copy

Bill Oddie receives Peter Scott Memorial Award

The BNA awards the Peter Scott Memorial Award each year to recognise an oustanding contribution to our understanding of natural history and conservation. This year this prestigious award went to Bill Oddie, the very well-known and popular naturalist and broadcaster. David Bellamy presented the award to Bill during the BNA's Centenary Conference on Saturday 14th May, at Cressing Temple, Braintree, Essex. This added extra interest to what was already a full day of stimulating and enjoyable talks and activities and a major national natural history event.

Event overview
Conference location - Cressing Temple
The Coxhead Bequest Art Exhibition
John Ray
The John Ray Trust
Press Release
Photo Gallery

Event overview

What was the British Countryside like 100 years ago and how has it changed?

Roger Tabor, BNA Chairman, Conference Organiser and well-known biologist, broadcaster and author, invited delegates to this major national natural history event. Eminent and authoritative speakers addressed key issues such as:

- Is global warming affecting the seasons?

- Is wildlife revealing climate change?

- How can we learn from our experience and the records of the past 100 years?

Find out about these and other vital topics in the next issue of Country-Side, a centenary conference special issue, which will include details of the presentations given as well as covering the range of additional events including workshops on local and British animal and plant life, outdoor activities, an art exhibition and a gala concert.

Based at and around historic Cressing Temple, this Conference was an enjoyable, stimulating, and educational week-end in the country for everyone, both adults and children, with an interest in natural history and our environment.

The Conference

The Conference was chaired by Professor David Bellamy and events, speakers and leaders were as follows

Conference welcome by Mr. Roger Tabor (Chairman of the British Naturalists’ Association) and Mr. Malcolm Bryan (Chairman of The John Ray Trust)

Presentation of the British Naturalists’ Association’s centenary medal to Professor David Bellamy

Opening address by Professor David Bellamy

Lecture by Dr. Andrew Stott : Climate change and biodiversity in the UK: towards adaptation

Lecture by Dr. Humphrey Q.P. Crick : Climate change & birds

Lecture by Professor Trevor Beebee: Amphibian breeding times: changes afoot?

Presentation of BNA’s David Bellamy Award 2005 to Mr. Chris Doncaster

Presentation of BNA’s Peter Scott Memorial Award 2005 to Mr. Bill Oddie

Responding address by Mr. Bill Oddie

Introduction to BNA Phenology by Mr. Roger Tabor

Lecture by Dr. Tim Sparks: Phenological change in the UK (and further afield)

Environmental Forum: Discussion between members of a panel comprising Professor David Bellamy, Mr. Bill Oddie, Dr. Andrew Stott, Dr. Humphrey Crick, Professor Trevor Beebee and Mr. Tim Sparks, the panel also taking questions from the floor

David Bellamy, Conference chairman

Botanist, writer and broadcaster. Author of over 40 books and 80+ scientific papers on ecology and the environment. Hon. President of the BNA and Patron of the John Ray Trust.

Conference speakers

Tim Sparks
Based at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Tim is instrumental in the data interpretation of the UK Phenology Network, a collaboration between the Centre and The Woodland Trust.

Trevor Beebee
From the University of Sussex, Trevor has worked on amphibian breeding and climatic influences for many years and is widely known as the author of "Frogs and Toads".

Humphrey Crick
Of the British Trust for Ornithology, Humphrey has played a key role in the analysis of nearly 75,000 records for 65 species from 1971-1995.

Andrew Stott
Based at DEFRA’s Biodiversity and Landscape Branch at Bristol, Andrew has worked on a number of projects linking climate change to effects on wild-life.

Leader of visit to Cressing manorial woods

Dr.Oliver Rackham OBE

is a Fellow of Corpus Christi College,University of Cambridge, and an acknowledged authority on the countryside and its history.

The Coxhead Bequest Art Exhibition, Braintree Museum

A fascinating exhibition of over 100 botanic paintings selected from the Coxhead bequest to the BNA. Painted by Will Coxhead from the 1940s to his death in 1962, these paintings illustrate a broad range of British botanic species with a wealth of scientific detail. Usual conditions for entry to Braintree Museum will apply.

For more information on the Bequest and the paintings and for details of how to hire the exhibition see The Botanical art of Will Coxhead in the news section.

Water Mint: drawn by Will Coxhead © Liz Artindale/BNA

Conference location- Cressing Temple

Cressing Temple near Braintree in Essex is a site of great historical significance and not far from John Ray’s birthplace and memorial. It was established by the Knights Templar in the 12th Century, when they built two great barns. These have been likened to cathedrals of wood because of their great size and high roofs. The barns are the oldest still standing in Europe and have been restored by Essex County Council to provide conference facilities and a historical exhibition open to the public.

John Ray

John Ray (1627-1705), known as the Father of Natural History, is probably the most distinguished British natural historian, and was the first to make a systematic classification of plants. His major work was the Historia Plantarum, a catalogue of more than 18,000 plants known to be growing in the British Isles in the 17th century.

Ray was born in Black Notley, two miles south of Braintree. He was educated at Braintree grammar school and at the age of 16 was awarded a scholarship to Cambridge University. His first publication, in 1660, was a catalogue of Cambridgeshire plants, the first on local flora for Britain. He travelled extensively in Europe and developed a wide range of knowledge, resulting in works on fish, mammals, birds and fossils, plus dictionaries and a book of proverbs.

John Ray's memorial, Braintree.Photo © Liz Artindale 2004

The John Ray Trust

The John Ray Trust was founded in 1986, the 300th anniversary of the publication of Historia Plantarum.

It commemorates Ray's life and achievements. Ray's industry, scholarly approach and triumph over adversity make him an example that the trust recognises with bursaries and scholarships in the natural sciences, awarded to young students and those working on relevant projects.

For more information contact:
The John Ray Trust Town Hall Centre, Market Square, Braintree, Essex CM7 3YG Tel: 01376 320369 Registered charity no. 294915

Patrons:
Sir John Ruggles-Brise BT.
Dr David Bellamy
Sir Andrew Huxley OM
Hugh Johnson Esq.
A.C.Wheeler Esq.

Press Release

See News section for press release