#655: Storm Shaun or Storm Timmy?

I've had a busy summer of Aardman related things.

I've been to Bristol where there was a special exhibition at the MShed, marking 50 years of Aardman.

I also saw another exhibition at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, and the one at the Young V&A in Bethnal Green.

There's now a chance to vote for either Shaun or Timmy to be added to the new list of storm names for 2026-27 which will be announced in September. They have teamed up with the MetOffice. Go to one of their social channels to vote.

• Voting closes at 11:00 am on Friday 21 August 2026
• Members of the public can vote for either Shaun or Timmy
• The vote relates specifically to which Aardman character will be added to this year’s storm names list
• The result of the public vote will be announced on Friday 21 August and included in the 2026/27 storm names list

Predictably some people are saying this is inappropriate as these storms may cause damage and even lead to fatalities...  others that we'll soon have sponsored storms... others say it's a bit of fun and raises awareness of why storms are named.

The Met Office say:

Storm naming is an important public safety tool, helping people notice, remember and discuss severe weather when it has the potential to cause significant impacts. By working with Aardman, the Met Office hopes to reach new audiences and encourage conversations about severe weather preparedness in an engaging and accessible way.

The announcement also forms part of Aardman's 50th anniversary celebrations and comes ahead of the release of  Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, which arrives in UK cinemas on the 18th of September.

As a sustainability ambassador and one of Britain's most recognisable animated characters, Shaun has long been associated with themes of nature and the environment, making him a natural fit for a campaign focused on weather awareness and preparedness.

Met Office Head of Warnings and Guidance, Holly Clements, said: "Naming storms helps our weather warnings reach more people and encourages the public to take notice when severe weather is approaching. This collaboration with Aardman gives us a fantastic opportunity to engage new audiences and explain why storm naming matters, helping people understand the risks severe weather can bring and the actions they can take to stay safe."

Hopefully we won't reach 'S' in the alphabet next year....

#414: The National Trust's Weather and Wildlife Review

This has been getting a lot of coverage today in the news: the charity's annual review.

Each year the Weather and Wildlife Review looks back on how weather has impacted wildlife through the seasons at the places the National Trust looks after.

One in six species in the UK are currently threatened with extinction and we're seeing the impact that the climate crisis is having on both common and rare species.

The review shows that our changing climate has led to the slow loss of predictable weather patterns and how traditional seasonal shifts are causing chaos and confusion for wildlife and people.

The incremental shifts we’re experiencing in terms of our seasons extending may not feel like much in a 12-month period, but over a decade the changes are extremely significant.

Ben McCarthy: National Trust Head of Nature Conservation and Restoration Ecology

With 2024 declared the world’s hottest year on record, it signals a red alert for nature. As global temperatures rise, scientists have previously said that the UK is likely to experience a wetter climate. That reality is now playing out in real time, impacting landscapes, nature and the places we look after. 

Following record-breaking warm years in 2022 and 2023, 2024 was mild and very wet by comparison, with unsettled weather dominating forecasts across the UK in the past 12 months.

2024 has seen record-breaking warm and wet months as well as temperatures see-sawing from one extreme to the other within a matter of days. 

Storms, flooding and multi-hazard weather events bringing snow, rain and wind simultaneously in different pockets of the country have caused destruction and disruption. Unusual sightings in the natural world from across the year also act as warning beacons for what’s happening to our wildlife and seasons. 

#328: NENP: 'Weather and Seasons'

The National Education Nature Park (NENP) is making good progress. 

Over 1000 schools are signed up now, although that means there are many thousands still to sign up. 

🌤️ The National Education Nature Park's 'Weather and Seasons: Explore' activity encourages students to observe and compare the four seasons in the UK, helping them understand the impact of various aspects of our lives.

Learn about this free resource 👉 https://t.co/8JwbOWp331 pic.twitter.com/kTntneAKRn

— RGS-IBG Schools (@RGS_IBGschools) March 9, 2024

The Weather and Seasons activity is worth checking out.  It's designed for KS1

It will be interesting to see where the National Education Nature Park and Climate Awards fit in with wider developments of the GCE Natural Histoty.