Latest news with #JoHarper
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
Scientists trying to grow Devon tea plants in space
Scientists are using plants from Devon to test whether it is possible to grow tea in space. Seedlings cultivated near Ashburton have been planted in soils which are similar to those found on the Moon and Mars as part of a research project at the University of Kent. The team said the aim was to be able to ultimately grow food in space for people who are based on space stations and the Moon in the future. Jo Harper, who owns Dartmoor Estate Tea which provided the plants, said it was a "mind-blowing" idea. 'New age of space' Prof Nigel Mason, who specialises in molecular physics at the University of Kent, said this could contribute to research into whether food can be grown in added: "We're moving into a new age of space, where we no longer just want to explore, but we want to settle space, we want to put people onto space stations and build bases on the Moon."As soon as you consider that, one of the first things you want to know is, 'what will people eat?'"The fun part of the project is to to see whether we could grow things on the Moon, but a lot of the basic work is also about how crops and plants survive harsh environments and poor soils, and poor soils are a big problem with climate change." Researcher Anna-Marie Wirth, 22, said she thought it was "really cool" tea plants were being tested. "Tea is a huge part of British culture and cultures around the world," she will monitor how the plants develop over the course of 30 days, with temperature, humidity and lighting controlled to mimic conditions in have been grown in space before after a small food-growing trial by Italian and American scientists. Kathryn Harper, from the Dartmoor Estate Tea, said people needed the drink, "even in space"."If they're growing it themselves, then those on the International Space Station would have access to their daily brew, their daily cup of tea," she results of the experiment are expected in summer 2025.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Warwickshire is the place to bee
Two Warwickshire towns have proved they've got what it takes to welcome bees into their gardens and parks. "Bee Friendly Town" status was granted to Warwick and Leamington during World Bee Day on 20 of pollinator proponents in each town played a role in helping secure the recognition from the Bee Friendly Trust, with the areas supported by neighbouring Kenilworth which has held Bee Friendly status since Harper from Bee Friendly Leamington said the group visited schools to educate children about why bees mattered to the environment. 'Make a difference' Luke Dixon, co-founder and CEO of the Bee Friendly Trust, said the status recognised what was possible when people came together for the good of the environment, with the Warwick group running a petition to reduce pesticide use "and prove that you can actually make a difference". Ms Harper said: "We've been working hard for a few years and a large part of our work is in education. "We've been to schools and talked to over 4,000 children about why bees matter and why people shouldn't be scared of bees and really saying how our gardens have become so important for wildlife like bees."Fern Arnold, Chair of Bee Friendly Kenilworth said: "The UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s and if we want to continue to benefit from bees as pollinators we have to do our bit to help them."I'm so pleased for [Warwick and Leamington] because I know how much work they have all put in. We are all volunteers, we give our time freely and its great that they can have the acknowledgement." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
