The Bank of England has revealed the four native British wildlife species selected to appear on the next generation of banknotes: the European Hedgehog, Barn Owl, Buff-Tailed Bumblebee and Atlantic Puffin. The creatures were chosen through a public consultation that attracted almost 500,000 votes, combined with guidance from a specialist panel of British conservationists and biologists.
Historical figures replaced
The new nature collection will replace all existing historical figures on the reverse of Bank of England notes. Former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill will be removed from the £5 banknote, while writer Jane Austen will be replaced on the £10 note. Painter J.M.W. Turner will cease to appear on the £20 note, and mathematician Alan Turing will no longer grace the £50 banknote.
King Charles III will continue to feature on the obverse of all banknotes. The Bank of England has yet to confirm which creature will appear on which denomination, although the £5 note currently bearing Churchill is expected to be the initial denomination replaced during the rollout.
Public reaction divided
Britons appear divided over the selections, with some enthusiasts eager to see the updated banknotes, while others believe the decision is 'erasing Britain's history'. Following the announcement, one Reddit user declared: "My wife and daughter will love the hedgehog one. I'm looking forward to the bumblebee." Another responded: "Very excited! Joining a long history of banknotes that celebrate a nation's wildlife." A third remarked: "I am looking forward to the puffin one!"
However, one critic countered: "Churchill led Britain through its darkest hour in WWII... and now we're swapping him for animals on a banknote." Another questioned: "Are we really so uncomfortable with our own history that we're erasing the people who shaped it?" A third voiced their displeasure, adding: "I'm fuming! Removing the greatest Sir Winston Churchill! Trying to remove and forget our great history." A fourth stated: "The Bank of England are making a huge mistake."
Public choice defended
Yet others pointed out that the British public themselves selected wildlife over historical figures, with one person noting: "There was no deliberate choice to not have historic figures or evidence things were driven by fear. Ideas were put to the public, the public chose wildlife. Keeping historical figures was an option to vote on too, it wasn't ruled out." Another concurred: "They offered the choice, including historical figures, to the public and they chose the wildlife." A third observed: "Lots of countries feature wildlife, plants or other natural features on their money and change themes over time. There's plenty of ways to still celebrate history."
Designing, testing security features, and printing the polymer notes takes several years, so the new notes will be introduced gradually over the coming years.
