‘Jewel of York’ gets set in stone in tribute to rare beetle

The monument to the tansy beetle, one of Britain’s most endangered species, was unveiled at the weekend on the flood plain at Water Fulford by the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Keith Hyman.

The area, which is owned and managed by the Carstairs Countryside Trust, is part of a zone covering just over 18 miles on the banks of the River Ouse which is now the beetle’s last remaining habitat in England.

Created by sculptor Peter Maris, the stone incorporates a commemorative plaque and is topped by a carving of the beetle enlarged by a magnifying glass.

Members of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers planted a tansy plant, from which the beetle is named, on behalf of the guests, who were also invited to use a mallet and chisel to make their mark on the stone.

It was unveiled to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the 800th anniversary of York being granted its Royal Charter, and National Insect Week.

Ian Carstairs, trustee of the Carstairs Countryside Trust, said of the beetle: “It’s where the conditions suit them and the habitat is right for them. It’s a bright, iridescent green and when you see that on top of the yellow tansy flower it’s a fantastic looking thing. It has been nicknamed the Jewel of York and now we’ve set the jewel in stone.”