In fact, despite being native to the county, there hadn’t actually been any residing in Cheshire for over 400 years before last year, as the species became extinct in the 16th century as a result of continuous hunting for their fur and meat.
This is why the release of the pair of these endangered animals into Hatchmere Nature Reserve was such a big deal for the county.
The Eurasian beavers – one male and one female – have been released in Cheshire to help benefit the local surroundings as part of a five-year land management project that hopes to create natural flood defences and improve biodiversity at the site.
And now that they’ve both settled in, the Cheshire Wildlife Trust has launched an exciting competition.
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The Trust is challenging local schools and members of the public to “get your thinking caps on” and suggest some “interesting and creative” names for the pair of beavers.
Name our beavers! We'd love you to choose the names for our pair of beavers. Get your thinking caps on and enter our competition. We can't wait to see what interesting and creative names you come up with! ?? @WildlifeTrustshttps://t.co/bn39Ld3Xl5pic.twitter.com/IBzgmEakJy
Kev Feeney – Hatchmere Living Landscape Officer and leader of the beaver project – said: “We’ve had such a great response to our beaver project so far.
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“It’s great to see people really taking an interest in them and excited to see how they’re settling in.
“Our cameras are catching some amazing footage and we’re really able to see their individual personalities shining through. The female is very nosey and spends most of the night dragging material to add to their lodge [and] the male is always on patrol of their home, walking with purpose and regularly stopping to sniff the air.
“We can’t wait to hear what creative names people come up with [and] we’re so glad people can continue being part of bringing beavers back to Cheshire”.
The Cheshire Wildlife Trust has said that as the beavers adapt to their surroundings, they will create a new and improved landscape by removing some trees to allow sunlight to reinvigorate the woodland floor, building dams to hold back water on the site, and filter polluted sediments from flowing into a nearby lake, making new space for insects, invertebrates and fish.
But all of this costs money.
It’s been revealed that Wildlife Trust supporters from across the region have raised just over half of the £85,000 required to support the project, but £42,000 is still needed to look after the beavers and monitor the effect they are having on Hatchmere’s wetlands.
So while entry to the naming competition is free, people are encouraged to be part of bringing beavers back to Cheshire by making a donation alongside their entry where possible.
How can I enter the competition?
The Cheshire Wildlife Trust is looking for names for both beavers, one male and one female.
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The closing date for entries is Wednesday 31st March, and the winning names will be announced on Wednesday 7th April – which also happens to be International Beaver Day.
As previously mentioned, entry to the competitions is free but all donations made will fund regular health checks for the animals, surveying for new wildlife the beavers are bringing back, more cameras to capture all the exciting beaver behaviour and training for volunteers to help look after the pair.
You can submit your name suggestions and make any donations via the Cheshire Wildlife Trust website here.
Trending
Tens of thousands queue for exclusive new Selfridges Jellycat toy
Daisy Jackson
Selfridges has today unveiled a brand-new, exclusive Jellycat toy – and it’s proving so popular an online queue has had to be put in place.
At the time of writing, a whopping 28,000 people are currently in a virtual queue to purchase the adorable new Jellycat character, with a wait time of more than an hour.
Today, Selfridges debuted a world-exclusive toy for the department store – a plushie version of its iconic yellow bag.
The Jellycat Amuseables toy comes in a soft yellow fabric, with the signature Jellycat smile, plus corded handles and legs.
And it does function as a miniature bag too, perfect for storing other pieces from your collection.
It’s been launched to celebrate a milestone 25 years of partnership between the two brands.
The Jellycat Amuseables Selfridges Bag. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Jellycat Amuseables Selfridges Bag. Credit: The Manc Group
The Selfridges x Jellycat exclusive retails at £48 – and its price has done absolutely nothing to deter people from shopping.
As well as being stocked online, the Selfridges bag soft toy is available in store in Exchange Square and at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, as well as in Birmingham and London.
Judd Crane, Selfridges Executive Director, Buying and Brand, said: “We are very proud to be part of Jellycat’s incredible story, as one of the brand’s first stockists, launching at Selfridges in 2000,” reports The Industry.Fashion.
The current queue on the Selfridges website for the Jellycat exclusive
“We have watched the Jellycat brand, and family, evolve as its loyal and inclusive community of fans and collectors continues to grow and grow. Twenty five years later, Jellycat is a firm favourite with our customers, who come to us for characters and experiences which make their day brighter.
“The Selfridges yellow bag is perhaps the most recognisable part of our brand personality, and we are excited be able to share it with Jellycat!”
You can pick up the Jellycat Amuseables Selfridges Bag in-store and online from today.
To celebrate 25 years of @Jellycat and @Selfridges, there’s a brand new character on the shelf and she’s beautiful 🥹💛 📍 Available now at both Selfridges Exchange Square and Trafford Centre #manchester#selfridges#jellycat#jellycatcollection#manc
There’s a FREE Children in Need event coming to MediaCityUK
Thomas Melia
An all-new and completely free to enjoy Children in Need event is making its way to MediaCityUK later this November, and it’s bringing along some iconic brands.
Everyone’s favourite yellow bear is returning to Manchester to take over MediaCityUK and rename it Pudsey’s Piazza for one night only.
Pudsey Bear is heading down to MediaCityUK and he’s bringing all the best activities, games, famous food, live music and more for four hours of FREE family-oriented fun.
You can expect to see Pudsey and the team alongside a whole host of celebrities, brand partners and lots of friends when Children in Need hosts its celebration later this November.
Some of the brands which have been announced include staple high street bakery Greggs, a collaboration between McDonald’s and its sports counterpart, Fun Football UK.
DJ AG is just one of the special guests preparing to take over MediaCityUK this November for Children in Need (Credit: Supplied)
Also joining the bill is viral TikTok potato-loving duo Spud Bros, who will be serving up their famed jacket potatoes with an array of fillings to choose from inside their recognisable big red van.
Greggs will be bringing a huge double-decker bus to Pudsey’s Piazza at MediaCityUK with treats on hand throughout this evening celebration, as well as interactive games for you to play.
You’ll also be able to catch a glimpse of a replica Red Arrows jet, which will be situated on the piazza all night long courtesy of aerial experts Royal Air Force.
If that wasn’t enough for you, your night will be soundtracked by the one and only viral nomad music maker DJ AG, who’ll be playing out tunes as part of a charity livestream at the bandstand.
MediaCityUK is the home of BBC Children in Need, so it’s only fitting that Pudsey would throw one of his biggest parties yet right here in Greater Manchester.
Pudsey and his friends are transforming MediaCityUK into Pudsey’s Piazza on Friday, 14 November from 4pm to 8pm, and they’re encouraging anyone to come along, especially since it’s FREE.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd March 2021 
