COCKROACHES have been spotted in a Royton school but there is no need to call out environmental health.
In fact, creepy crawlies of various shapes and sizes have been welcomed at Royton Hall Primary School, High Barn Street.
Less welcome have been ‘bugs’ of the human kind whose acts of vandalism in the grounds, including to the children’s bug hotel and football goalposts, have caused hundreds of pounds of damage.
However, there was definitely a warm reception for the return to school of Lisa Porter, now known to hundreds of youngsters as the ‘Bug Lady.’
The Correspondent was invited to attend her recent tutorial and see her travelling companions included giant African land snails, giant green bean stick insects, giant spiny stick insects and even a few death head cockroaches.
“I like yucky things that are interesting,” Lisa told her audience, the majority keen to handle and even stroke the fascinating creatures.
Explaining her work Lisa said: “The Bugs and I have been working together for around 10 years now.
“We were originally based within the Education Team at Harewood House Trust, Leeds providing school visits and outreach to local schools.
“In February 2012, I set up ‘The Bug Lady’. Before that, I worked in a variety of roles including primary school teacher, field teacher, outdoor and environmental education instructor.
“I have been lucky to work in lots of different settings both formally and informally and with all ages and abilities from nursery aged children to adults.
“My bug collection is varied and constantly changing and expanding.
“But one important consideration remains that all species are safe and friendly so that myself and workshop participants can interact with them as much as possible.”