The club, which is led by ranger Hannah Levene and run by the National Trust for Scotland with support from the Scottish Wildlife Trust, was judged Watch Group of the Year 2009 for the Scottish Region on the basis of its scrapbook of the year’s activities. Judges were impressed by the wide range of nature-themed activities the club offered – from felt making to birdwatching - as well as the degree to which members had been involved in shaping the programme.

2010 promises to be just as exciting a year for the club, who are always happy to accept children between 7 and 12 into their ranks. With plans to plant wildflowers, make artworks from natural materials, build dens in the woods and see seal pups at the Scottish Seabird Centre, new members can expect to have all manner of interesting experiences.

Newhailes Ranger and Club Leader Hannah Levene said:

“The children were all thrilled that we’ve been awarded for our 2009 programme, but that’s no reason for us to rest on our laurels! I’m confident this year will be even better than the last, and that our members will have the chance to make friends, learn facts and explore their local area- all while having a lot of fun doing so.”

The Newhailes Detectives usually meet from 10:00 to 11:30 in the Education Room at Newhailes on the third Saturday of each month, though these details can vary depending on the activity. For more information please contact the Ranger, Hannah Levene, on 0844 493 2124. Club membership costs £8 for a year and is open to all.

For more information about the club, visit its website at www.swt.org.uk/kids/watch/east-lothian/.  

The Victorian print works, which is cared for by the conservation charity, will lend its support to several events throughout the week beginning Monday 8 March.

Property Manager Gen Harrison said:

“The Scottish Borders Libraries Local History Weeks are a fantastic way of allowing communities to share their memories while reflecting on how they have been shaped and changed up to the present day. I’m excited that Smail’s will be working in partnership with the Library, School and Community Trust and contributing so much to the events in Innerleithen, given the significant role it held in the past and continues to hold today.”

Visitors to Innerleithen library will be able to see an A to Z of everything the town has to offer drawn by the local primary twos and threes and with tiles and covers printed and bound at the works, as well as the books produced by the Higher Art students of Peebles High School at the site tracing their walk along the river Leithen.

Old photos and memorabilia from the community will also be exhibited in the property’s window alongside a similar display in the library as part of the “Gan the Messages” theme of local history week celebrating the shops and shopping experiences of days gone by.

Members of the Innerleithen Community Trust will give an illustrated talk on the theme on Wednesday 10 March, taking in the shops and characters that populated the high street in days gone by. The talk starts at 19:30 at Innerleithen Church Hall. Tickets are £4 on the door.

The property will also run “Tales from Smail’s”, an illustrated talk delving into its extensive archives and the fascinating stories behind the objects it contains. The talk starts at 19:30 at Innerleithen Church Hall on Saturday 13 March. Tickets are £4 on the door.  

Stirling’s Bannockburn Heritage Centre, Fife’s Falkland Palace, Edinburgh’s Georgian House and Glasgow’s Tenement House will all open from the start of next month, ahead of the majority of Trust properties which re-open in April.

Bannockburn Heritage Centre, which tells the story of the Battle of Bannockburn, was visited by over 60,000 visitors last year, to experience its thrilling new film and up to date interactive displays.

Falkland Palace has enormous historical significance, having played host to monarchs of both Scotland and Britain in its past. The gardens are lush with spacious lawns and colourful borders, and form a tranquil backdrop to the property.

The Georgian House, which is next door to the First Minister’s official residence in the capital has been welcoming visitors for more than 30 years and is one of the conservation charity’s most well-visited properties. Last year, more than 42,000 visitors experienced the grandeur of the fine interiors.

The Tenement House has been owned by the conservation charity since 1982. The traditional red sandstone building is preserved as it would have been in the early 20th Century when Agnes Toward, a short-hand typist lived there.  

After a successful first year and widely acclaimed photographic exhibition celebrating British wildlife, the BWPA announce the launch of their second competition, open for entries from the 21st January.

Established to celebrate and recognise the talents of photographers of all nationalities practicing in the UK, while at the same time highlight the great wealth and diversity of British natural history, BWPA are looking to build on recent successes and are introducing several new categories. This includes a special award for conservation photography and a category dedicated to British biodiversity and native species under threat, to reflect the fact that 2010 has been declared International Year of Biodiversity, by the United Nations.
2010 is International Year of Biodiversity as declared by the United Nations.
In the year when the UN Convention on Biological Diversity is highlighting the unprecedented global loss of species, BWPA are introducing a new category dedicated to British biodiversity. Sponsored by Natural England, the government adviser on the natural environment, this category focuses attention on our native species fighting for survival.

2020VISION Conservation Photography Award
This new award for Conservation Photography, sponsored by the Wild Media Foundation, encourages aspiring photographers to adopt a slightly different approach to image making. The award will be presented to the photographer who demonstrates a clear understanding of a contemporary conservation theme or story and who submits a portfolio of up to 8 images which creatively illustrates the chosen subject(s).

There are ten main categories to excite the imagination, as well as two special awards to encourage participation by young people, schools and youth community groups.

With a prize fund of up to £20,000 and the overall winner receiving a cash prize of £5,000, the images receiving judges’ commendations will form part of a series of nationwide exhibitions, including a launch and awards event in London, during October 2010. The British Wildlife Photography Awards aim to set the standard for photography of UK wildlife, for many years to come.




Main Awards and Prizes
British Wildlife Photographer £5,000
Young British Wildlife Photographer (under 18) £500
Schools, Youth and Community Group Award £1,000

Category Awards:
The winner of each category will receive prizes
with a total value of around £1,000.

The 2020VISION Special Award
The winner will be awarded a place on the 2020VISION
team and a fully-paid for set of UK commissions.

Categories

1. Animal Portraits
2. Animal Behavior
3. Urban Wildlife
4. Hidden Britain
5 Coast and Marine
6. Wildlife in my Back Yard
7. Habitat
8 British Seasons
9. International Year of Biodoversity

10. The 2020VISION Special Award

Dates
The competition is OPEN from 21st January and the closing date is 4th June 2010. Entrants will be able to submit entries on-line or via post.

Further information
For more detailed information about the competition, including how to enter, a full description of categories, shooting tips, and terms & conditions, please visit the competition website: www.bwpawards.org.