TOTTENHAM CLOUDS and FRIENDS OF LORDSHIP REC
www.tottenhamclouds.org.uk www.lordshiprec.org.uk
For immediate release
Inauguration of the world’s first Cloud Appreciation Park
– on the 250th anniversary of the ‘namer of clouds’
On Sunday 27 November 2022 at 3pm,Lordship Recreation Ground in Tottenham, London N17, will be established as the world’s first Cloud Appreciation Park*. The ceremony will be part of a series of events – including the unveiling of a new Weather Station – to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Luke Howard, the ‘namer of clouds’.
Luke Howard (1772-1864) made detailed observations for decades from his home in Tottenham, north London.** His work fundamentally changed the way we understand clouds and urban climate. It was in an essay published in 1803 that he proposed his classification and nomenclature of clouds such as ‘cirrus’, ‘nimbus’, ‘cumulus’. This is the system still in use globally today.
The Lordship Hub (N17 6NU) in the centre of Lordship Rec, will unveil its new Luke Howard Weather Station – an educational resource for the area. Other events to celebrate Luke Howard, his achievements and the vital importance of public awareness of climate science today, will include photography and art exhibitions, lectures and workshops and a children’s session on Saturday 26 November with kite making and flying. On Sunday 27 November the inauguration ceremony will take place by our new cloud gazing interpretation board with special guests from the Met Office, the Cloud Appreciation Society, Friends of the Earth and a direct descendant of Luke Howard will cut the ceremonial tape.
Nick Putz, Luke Howard’s great-great-great-great grandson, said “The family has always been proud of Luke and what he achieved, and for his life and work to be celebrated in this way is just wonderful. Thank you!”
Margaret Burr, for the co-organisers Tottenham Clouds said “In the two centuries since Luke Howard lived in Tottenham much has changed, but his pioneering work and legacy is being recognised as more important than ever.“
Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society said “I am delighted to be part of this exciting event to establish the first ever cloud appreciation park. We at the Cloud Appreciation Society consider the sky to be the most dynamic and evocative part of nature and given the importance of Tottenham in the history of cloud classification, we think this park is the perfect place to look up and keep your head in the clouds.”
Helen Roberts weather presenter from the Met Office said “The new weather station at Lordship Rec will record information on a daily basis – just like Luke Howard did nearly 200 years ago. These days understanding our climate is not just for experts but is a matter of great public importance.”
Dave Morris, chair of co-organisers the Friends of Lordship Rec, said “It’s a real honour for the Rec to be the first official cloud appreciation park. Especially in the light of the urgent demands and recommendations coming out of COP27, it’s vital now that we spread public awareness of weather and climate change issues all year round. Our new weather station will help us to do just that.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
* As dedicated by the Cloud Appreciation Society
** The only English Heritage Blue Plaque in Tottenham is on 7 Bruce Grove London N17
Speakers on 27th November from 1-3pm include Richard Hamblyn, the environmental writer, historian and biographer of Luke Howard – The Invention of Clouds: How an Amateur Meteorologist Forged the Language of the Skies (2001, Picador); Helen Roberts TV weather presenter and socio-meteorologist at the Met Office, working at the intersection of weather and social and behavioural science; Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society, which has over 59,000 members in 120 countries. He is the author of the internationally bestselling Cloudspotter’s Guide and Cloud Collector’s Handbook and winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books.
Exhibitions are currently running at Lordship Rec throughout November and Bruce Castle Museum throughout December.
More information on cloudspotting at Lordship Rec https://lordshiprec.org.uk/cloud-gazing-in-lordship-rec/
For interviews and photo opportunities please contact
Margaret Burr, Tottenham Clouds tottenhamclouds@gmail.com 07419 379 443
