After refreshing 8 weeks with no political spin included in media releases issued by the York Council, the humble Tansy Beetle seems to have broken the spell. LibDem Nigel Ayre has been driven to public eulogy about York’s unique insect resident.

It’s an unfortunate precedent as many residents had hoped that the Council would return to its pre 2011 protocol where the media team at West offices concentrated on providing factual information and left politicians to offer any commentary or spin they felt appropriate using their own channels.

The Tansy Beetle issue is largely uncontroversial but it does suggest that the Council needs to review its media protocol sooner rather than later.

The Council press release reads,

“Found along the banks of the Ouse in York, the rare Tansy Beetle has received another boost to its survival in the form of a dedicated Conservation Officer.

Buglife has received funding of £56,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to run the Tansy Beetle Champions project, which will help improve the beetle’s habitat and work with local people to save ‘The Jewel of York’.

The Tansy Beetle is a beautiful, shiny green beetle that feeds on the Tansy plant.  Although the plant is quite common along the banks of the Ouse, the beetles are not great flyers making it difficult for them to get to new areas.  As a result they are now only found in a few small pockets in York which are prone to flooding, putting the insects at risk.

The new Tansy Beetle Conservation Officer Sophie Badrick said ‘It’s a very exciting project which is creating a huge amount of opportunities for people to get involved and become Tansy Beetle Champions.  We’re hoping to get people doing a range of different activities.  From growing tansy plants in your garden; to helping give guided walks; to getting out with Buglife to protect or improve existing habitat, there’s something for everyone.’

The 18 month project aims to get more people involved in helping the Tansy to thrive and expand its current range and will work closely with City of York Council and the long running Tansy Beetle Action Group.

Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire and the Humber, Dr Fiona Spiers, said “Few people realise that every lottery ticket has the potential to save the UK’s landscapes, countryside and creatures, but bats are as important a part of our heritage as Botticelli. Imagine if future generations don’t have the chance to enjoy the sight of the Tansy Beetle because we didn’t do enough to save them now.”

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting BugLife’s project to work alongside them and with local people to help save the Tansy Beetle’s habitat here in the city. York is the only place in the UK where the beetle can be found, so it’s critical that we work together to ensure this ‘Jewel of York’ is protected.

“The council is committed to protecting York’s habitat and wildlife from extinction, including endangered species like the Tansy Beetle. Going forwards, the draft Local Plan will play an important role in achieving this by helping us to recognise and respond to the many other challenges to York’s particular natural environment.”

Anyone keen to volunteer or find out more about the project should contact Sophie Badrick on Sophie.badrick@buglife.org.uk or 07880 316027”