Here at CFT, one of our core values is to be sustainably minded in everything we do. In 2022, as part of our 60th anniversary, we planted a wildflower meadow to encourage biodiversity, and this year we're taking part in the nationwide Big Butterfly Count. It's a UK-wide survey, aimed at helping to assess the health of our environment by counting butterflies.

The results so far:

The Big Butterfly runs until 3 August, here are the results so far:

2 x small white
6 x gatekeepers
11 x Meadow Browns
1 x Comma
1 x Large White
1 x Small White
1 x Marbled White

Why is counting butterflies important?

We count butterflies because not only are they beautiful creatures to be around but they are also extremely important. They are vital parts of the ecosystem as both pollinators and components of the food chain. However, they are under threat. Numbers of butterflies and moths in the UK have decreased significantly since the 1970s.

The Butterfly Conservation site has lots more info on this and how you can get involved in the butterfly count here.