Darwin festival evolves into success (From Western Telegraph)

Darwin festival evolves into success

With 400 people in attendance the launch of the Pembrokeshire Darwin Science Festivals 2001 programme got off to a spectacular start.

With energy and the environment as the theme for the year, the launch provided a platform for a universal energy interactive exhibition for families, and for a brilliant presentation, involving youngsters from the audience, on the evolution of planet Earth, by internationally-renowned astronomer Dr Francisco Diego, of University College, London.

As part of the educational agenda a selection of the scientific lectures were open to schools.

These proved very popular, including a lecture on DNA, by Professor Paul J. Smith, who is Professor of Cancer Biology at University of Wales, College of Medicine, Cardiff, and a lecture by Professor David K. Whittaker on his work as a forensic dentist.

Professor Whittaker was one of the lecturers during the Darwin weekend - in July. Professor Whittaker spoke to a packed audience at the De Valence Pavilion, Tenby, who were enthralled by his detective work on high profile murder investigations. Professor Whittaker currently heads the forensic dental unit at University of Wales, College of Medicine, Cardiff.

There was a diverse collection of events during the weekend, including poetry and art workshops, formal lectures, a rock pool ramble, glow-worm hunt and a chamber music concert.

During the weekend the festival launched its damsel and dragonfly project with the support of Barclays plc, which presented a cheque for £18,000 to the festival, a proportion of which is specifically aimed at the damsel and dragonfly work.

The aim of the damsel and dragonfly project is to raise awareness of the threat to these organisms, as well as creating a database of information about them from observations made by the public.

A series of organised hunts took place, which were led by local naturalist Peter Brown. This work was supported by the dragonfly recorder for Pembrokeshire, Steve Cocker, and his wife Ann, and Paul Lynas, a local conservationist and water beetle expert, who monitors damsel and dragonflies on Dawrog Common, St Davids.

Foot and mouth disease restrictions limited the amount of hunts taking place - however the project is ongoing with more hunts being arranged for 2002.

As part of the damsel and dragonfly work the festival worked with community groups, including children from the Bush and Park Estate in Pembroke Dock, who attend the Barnardos run Yo Yo Family Centre, and the 1st Kilgetty Scouts group who required help in gaining their conservation scout badge.

Also keen to work with community groups are Robin and Ann Crump, who run the field studies centre at Orielton. They have been supportive of the conservation work being done by the Science Festival, allowing the centre to be used for a number of events.

The festival joined forces with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park taking part in two of its family beach days at Manorbier. The authority has been running beach days in the county as part of its activity and events programme for almost 20 years.

The beach days are designed for families with young children, and their aim is to be informative about conservation issues in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

The beach days provided the perfect opportunity for the Science Festival to promote its damsel and dragonfly work. In addition to a factual display about damsel and dragonflies the children were able to make their own glittery dragonflies.

The 2001 programme is culminating in a public conference and debate on energy and the environment at Narberths Queens Hall on September 21st, from 9 am - 4 pm. The meeting is well-timed to coincide with the Welsh Assemblys recently published draft strategic report on the potential for renewable energy in Wales.

Topics under discussion will include tidal energy, the fuel crisis, global warming and a renewable energy overview.

The Darwin Festival Office can be contacted c/o PBI Offices, Havens Head Business Park, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 3LD, Tel: (01646) 699220; Fax: (01646) 697806; E-mail: darwin@darwincentre.com or visit the website at www.darwincentre.com

CAPTIONS:

Milford Haven CP School pupils learning about Damsels and Dragonflies at Science Aglow.