L-R: Dr Grace Twiston-Davies, Prof Kevin J Gaston and The Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Tim Thornton. Image courtesy of the Diocese of Truro.

The Bishop of Truro at the ESI

The Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Tim Thornton, recently visited the ESI to find out more about our research.

The Bishop’s visit – to the Penryn Campus overall, including Falmouth University – is one in a series of events planned throughout 2016 as part of the Diocese’s Way of Life Discipleship programme. During his tour of the ESI, with Director, Professor Kevin J Gaston, the Bishop spoke to Dr Chris Bryan about his work using local microbes from Wheal Maid (near St Day) to process low grade ores.

He discussed bumblebee colony survival with Dr Grace Twiston-Davies, who aims to provide robust scientific evidence so that land management and policy recommendations contribute to healthy and sustainable agro-ecosystems. The Bishop also met , whose doctorate focuses on well-being, socio-economic deprivation and people’s experience of ecosystem services in Cornwall.

Bishop Tim said: “It was interesting to see and hear of the innovative and exciting work which is being undertaken here in Cornwall. While many of us grapple with making ourselves more environmentally friendly, it is heartening to see that there is such demand among the next generation to care for the Earth and through their creativity, to help us all.”

Professor Gaston added: “We are always keen to make sure our doors are open to interested organisations and individuals, to grasp the opportunity to explain our work to people and tell them why we think it’s so important. It was a particular pleasure to do this for Bishop Tim in view of the very active and engaged interest he clearly has for these subjects.”

Date: 15 February 2016