Beautiful butterflies emerge from lockdown

THE Pollinator Project’s Create a Guernsey Butterfly competition was a big hit during lockdown.

Dan Bisson, managing director of sponsor Nedgroup, with the designers of the best butterflies, left to right, Ela Ostrowska, holding Lili Smith, two-and-a-half, Reece Knight, 12, Sophie Rabey, Mary-Anne Chamberlaine, 12, Orla Pipet 4, Pollinator Project co-founder Vanessa Crispini-Adams and Pearl White-Regan, 93. (Pictures by Adrian Miller, 28532613)

As the island moved into phase three of the easing of restrictions, more than 28,000 entry forms were delivered to Bailiwick homes by Guernsey Post.

The competition was run in conjunction with Guernsey Mind, with support from Nedgroup Trust Ltd and the Guernsey Arts Commission.

A presentation to the winning designers was held at Le Friquet Plant Centre, with all the entries, which totalled close on 1,900, on display there until Monday.

Six winners were chosen, ranging in age from two to 93.

‘You can see the results of everybody’s creativity and love for nature,’ said Vanessa Crispini-Adams, Pollinator Project co-founder.

‘It’s such a heart-warming project to be involved in. We started with bees last year and now butterflies.

‘Having all entries on display shows how each individual counts, as a visual representation of what we can achieve together.’

Judges consisted of a panel of artists, scientists and Pollinator Project supporters, who spread all the entries out to choose.

‘I didn’t think I’d win but I’m very happy about it. I love bees, everybody at school knows I’m not afraid of them and that I love animals,’ said Les Beaucamps High School winner Mary-Anne Chamberlain, 12, who wants to start an animal sanctuary in the future.

Pearl White-Regan, 93, painted a wall butterfly, and said: ‘I’ve enjoyed all this – it’s marvellous somebody thought to do it. I’ll take part next year if I’m here. I’ve done a lot of painting and just sat down and did it.’

Guernsey Press photographer Sophie Rabey tried her hand at embroidery for the first time to produce her winning design. (28532615)

Guernsey Press photographer Sophie Rabey wanted to learn a new skill over lockdown, so tried her hand at embroidery.

‘I had never done it before and has no idea it was so intricate. It probably took over 50 hours, as I had no pattern to follow for that particular butterfly so had to work from a picture.’

Reece Knight was the only entrant who created his digitally and was congratulated for thinking outside the box.

Nedgroup managing director Dan Bisson said: ‘We’re so pleased to support this fantastic community event, which really demonstrates Guernsey’s spirit and how nature is an important part of our lives.

‘This project itself is amazing and came as a welcome distraction when times were tough.

‘You can see people spent a lot of time on their entries – it all looks really fabulous.’

. Visit www.pollinatorproject.gg for more information.