Welcome back to BSBI Welsh Officer Paul Green

Paul gets up close and personal with an Allium
Image: I. Bonner

lt's all change in Wales!

After six years as BSBI's Welsh Officer, Polly Spencer-Vellacott is moving to Scotland with her family so she's giving up her role supporting Welsh botanists.

While this is sad news and we are all sorry to wave goodbye to Polly, there is a very silver lining to this particular cloud, as we welcome back Paul Green as Welsh Officer. 

He and Polly used to job-share the post and Paul was at the helm on his own while Polly was on maternity leave, so he knows the ropes. 

Polly with the BSBI's
dual-language banner
Image courtesy of
P. Spencer-Vellacott

Paul also wears several other hats - he is editor of Irish Botanical News and joint County Recorder for Co. Wexford. You may have read his 'Wild flowers of Wexford' blog or seen his photos on Twitter - he made some great finds during last January's New Year Plant Hunt - naturalised Fatsia japonica blooming in Glengary, Co. Wexford on New Year's Day! 

Oh and did I mention that he is a superb field botanist and botanical trainer?

I asked Paul how it felt to be taking up the reins in Wales again.

He said "It is a great honour to be back as the BSBI Welsh Officer. I very much enjoyed my last stint in the post and I'm looking forward to exploring Wales and meeting all the Welsh botanists again. This time I’m based in Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, the extreme south-west corner of Wales. 

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Polly for her sterling work over the past 6 years as Welsh Officer, and wish her all the best with the move to Scotland".

Paul leads a field meeting in Co. Wexford in 2013
Image courtesy of P. Green

Hear hear! Polly tells me that once she has settled into her new home, she's looking forward to getting involved in Scottish botany (because she is, of course, going to be keeping up her BSBI membership) so Wales' loss is Scotland's gain. 

I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing Polly all the best and welcoming back Paul - we're very lucky to have two such amazing botanists in the BSBI fold. 

You can keep up with Polly's progress by following her on Twitter and you can see how Paul is getting on in his new role by following him wearing his Welsh Officer hat as well as his Wexford Recorder bonnet.