Susan's passion for nature helped preserve local habitats

Retired teacher and art tutor Susan Stead, who lived in Eldwick, devoted much of her life to the natural world, channelling great effort into preserving green spaces and wildlife habitats across the district.

As secretary of Bradford Urban Wildlife Group (BUWG), Susan spearheaded many green causes. Alongside BUWG’s then chairman Les Barnett, she fought for Bingley Bypass to be built across the Aire Valley on stilts, to protect the ecology of Bingley South Bog beneath as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Susan Stead at the Butterfly Meadow at Shipley railway station

Susan led representatives from English Nature into Trench Meadows below Shipley Glen, in a successful attempt to gain status as an SSSI and avert the threat of development at the location. "That took several years to achieve, but was a victory,” she said at the time.

And she was responsible for the creation of a butterfly meadow at Shipley railway station which was opened in 1993 by naturalist David Bellamy. Susan will shortly be appearing in Great British Railway Journeys, showing the meadow to presenter Michael Portillo.

Susan beside the information board at the Butterfly Meadow at Shipley railway station

Susan, second left, Joy Smith, Lorna Leeming and Val Shepherd

“Susan has always been passionate about local nature, and had a special interest in butterflies,” said her husband Malcolm. “She would often be out and about recording butterflies. She used to regularly go to Trench Meadows to keep track of the butterflies and other wildlife that appeared there. She also really loved hedgehogs.”

The couple married in 1968 after meeting at Bradford Art Club. “I do portraits and Susan focused on butterflies," said Malcolm. "Our interests were very different - she liked butterflies, while I like steam engines and classic cars."

Susan with some of her artwork

They have a daughter Katherine, married to Dean, and grandchildren Isla and Latham. “Susan loved being a grandmother, and enjoyed babysitting when the children were little,” said Malcolm. “She was a very loving person, we will miss her very much.”

Les Barnett, now honorary chairman of BUWG wrote in a tribute: ‘Susan was the kingpin of our activities and meeting. She was more than a group secretary.”

Among her many achievements Les cited her involvement in creating Boars Well Urban Nature Reserve off King’s Road, Bradford, “and later still, her role in helping to set up Bradford’s first Local Nature Reserve at Low Moor.

“Susan was able to get on with anyone, but in particular, as far as wildlife is concerned, she got on with people in authority from Bradford Council to Natural England and Butterfly Conservation - it was in that latter role that she excelled, recording and sending records annually.”

Susan with fellow BUWG member Lorna Leeming, monitoring butterflies at Dowley Gap, Bingley

BUWG member Val Shepherd said: “I miss Susan very much as will all our group.

"Her expertise - especially in butterflies - was very useful to our group. She really looked after Shipley station Butterfly Meadow and organised people to help."

Susan taught at Mornington Road School in Bingley, now Priestthorpe Primary School, and was later artist in residence at Bracken Hall Countryside Centre, Baildon.

She died on Boxing Day following a stroke. Her funeral takes place today at 12.40pm at Nab Wood Crematorium, Bingley Rd, Shipley BD18 4BG.