The government is launching a new strategy to support bees and other pollinators that are vital for fertilising plants so they produce fruits and seeds.
Organisations such as Network Rail, Highways Agency and the National Trust which manage more than 800,000 hectares of land in England have signed up to the National Pollinator Strategy, and pledged to take actions such as planting more bee-friendly wild flowers and allowing grass to grow longer.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: "As much as one third of the food we eat is pollinated by bees –from apples and pears...
Ashfords people are taking up bee keeping in a bid to help the national initiative to protect bees and boost their population
As part of Ashfords' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, it is hoped the new Ashfords' bee colony will thrive, and help pollinate flowers and shrubs in the area around the Sowton Industrial Estate.
Ashfords is currently trialling the "bee initiative" at its headquarters in Exeter, with the aim of expanding this idea to its other offices across the country.
This initiative is fundamental to Ashfords' CSR programme which is...
Six members of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen have come together to respond in their own creative way to the plight of the bees and the inspirational example of the rooftop beehives on Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter.
Princesshay’s 45,000 bees have been busily producing honey for the shoppers of Exeter over the spring and summer months. The delicious golden honey is now available to buy from Chandos Deli in Princesshay, each purchase raises money for charity.
Over 100lbs of honey has been extracted from the five hives housed on the rooftop city garden in Princesshay. The diverse variety of expertly chosen fruit trees and bee friendly flowering plants has contributed to the honey’s sweet yet floral taste.
The introduction of the honey bees was part of an environmental initiative...
Bees are under threat like never before. Six members of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen have come together to respond in their own way to the current plight of bees. Inspired by the example of the rooftop beehives on Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter, they have made work in the fields of printmaking, photography, ceramics, textiles and jewellery. The exhibition seeks to engage interest in how we can all do a little bit to raise awareness of the importance of bees and how, by small acts such as choosing to grow bee-friendly plants in our gardens, we can contribute to the health of our own...
The people at Ashfords are taking up bee keeping in a bid to help the national initiative to protect bees and boost their population
As part of Ashfords' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, it is hoped the new Ashfords' bee colony will thrive, and help pollinate flowers and shrubs in the area around the Sowton Industrial Estate.
Ashfords is currently trialling the "bee initiative" at its headquarters in Exeter, with the aim of expanding this idea to its other offices across the country. .
A new report on bees in South West England by nature conservation charity Buglife reveals that up to 75% of some of our most threatened bee species have been lost in some counties. The study researched 23 species considered to be at risk in the UK, twenty are declining whilst three have become extinct. Andrew Whitehouse, South West Manager at Buglife said: "The South West remains a stronghold for some of the UK's most threatened bee species. But, over the past 50 years we have seen the local extinction of many of the region's special bees. Some are precariously holding on, such as the Six-...
Following the launch of the city garden and the housing of three bee hives on the roof tops of the Princesshay Shopping Centre in April 2013; the busy honey bees have produced their first pots of honey!
The nucleus hive, also known as a beginner’s hive does not usually produce honey during its first year, however, the Princesshay bees have produced 3 pounds of honey in just four months, which has equated to three jars of delicious, dark runny honey.
The expertly chosen bee friendly flora and fauna combined with an amazing summer and attentive care has boosted the production...
This week Buglife and The Co-operative Plan Bee campaign have launched a new Community Meadow pack – designed to help and inspire local communities to do their bit to help our bees, butterflies and other wildlife by growing their own wildflower meadows.
Rupert Goddard, Buglife Project Officer said "Growing a Community Meadow is a great way to create a buzz in your local area."
"Creating a meadow full of wildflower colour and the sounds of summer is a great way to bring people together to do something that can make a real difference to our wildlife."
We're all familiar with the common bee, right? But there's more than meets the eye to these small insects. Led by beekeeper Ann Pengelly and naturalist Marjorie Waters; come and explore the importance, needs and life cycles of honey bees, bumble bees and solitary bees. Try to identify as many as possible in the orchard, community woodland orchard, and the garden which will be shortly followed by cream tea.
Suggested donation £6 to include tea. Please book by 4 July and meet at grid reference SY 263910. Part of DWT’s Bumblebee Campaign to help the bees keep on buzzing.
