Thousands take action to help save UK bees
Published Mar 6, 2009
Over 22,500 people have pledged support for our threatened UK bees as part of the Save Our Bees campaign for National Science and Engineering Week.
The campaign is seeking to raise awareness of the plight of both honeybee and bumblebee species and the simple actions we can all take to help secure their future.
Many of those who have registered have signed up on behalf of classes and family members. 3,400 schools are taking part, and so far more than 430,000 school children and family members are involved.
During National Science and Engineering Week, which is taking place from 6-15 March, they will be getting hands-on – planting bee-friendly plants and finding out more about these amazing creatures which are responsible for pollinating a third of all the foods we eat.
Annette Smith, Director of NSEW, said: ‘National Science and Engineering Week brings hundreds of thousands of people together in a national celebration of science, engineering and technology and its importance to our lives. We felt it was a good opportunity to highlight the plight of the UK’s bees and the important work that UK researchers are doing, as well as the big difference that we can all make as individuals.’
Gardening expert and TV presenter Charlie Dimmock is supporting the campaign and encourages others to get involved.
She said: ‘Bees are in crisis and need our help! I passionately encourage everyone to do their bit this National and Science Engineering Week by planting shrubs which are ideal for bees to forage on, supporting them in their fight for survival. Join in activities throughout the week where you can learn first hand about the fascinating world of bees and the honey they produce, taking part in fun interactive and educational activities.’
The dramatic decline in honeybee populations in the UK means that we now import 80 per cent of our honey. Without beekeepers there would be no honeybees in the UK. In the UK there are approximately 44,000 beekeepers managing around 274,000 hives, each worth about £600 to the UK agricultural economy.
Stuart Bailey, Chairman of Rowse Honey said: ‘Rowse Honey is delighted to be involved in National Science and Engineering Week providing support to the Save our Bees Campaign. This is in perfect synergy with Rowse’s own Save the Honeybee Campaign which saw £100k invested into crucial bee research at Sussex University and the launch of its Bee School educational materials last year.
‘Rowse fully encourages everyone to get involved in fun activities throughout the week, planting seeds, sampling delicious varieties of honeys and learning all about just how vital bees are to the environment.’
Another supporter of the campaign, poet and entertainer Pam Ayres, said: ‘Everyone can make a big difference by just planting a few things in their garden which will help the bees. I have a beautiful drift of crocus out now and it's alive with honey bees and gorgeous great bumble bees.
‘Spring is the time of year when we marvel at the beauty of all the emerging new plants, snowdrops, fruit blossom, all those vegetables in the garden and grass for lambs and calves to thrive on. Without bees and pollinating insects we really would have none of them, and that is unthinkable so please – think bees!
‘My very simple philosophy is that there is only one thing nicer than a flower, and that is a flower with a bee or butterfly on it.’
If you haven’t yet signed up, it’s not too late to help make a difference: visit www.saveourbees.org.uk to find out more, register your support, and receive an information and activity pack.
Plus there are a number of bee-related events taking place around the UK for National Science and Engineering Week where you can speak directly to bee experts as well as take part in fun and informative bee-related activities – from honey tasting, bee nest making, and bee-flying demos, to the chance to decipher and then perform the waggle dance with Natural History Theatre company Pif-Paf.
Martin Smith, Chairman of the British Beekeepers’ Association, which has 13,000 active beekeeping members, said: ‘We welcome the campaign and are pleased to be associated with it. The BBKA local beekeeping associations run a large number of courses to introduce people to the fascinating craft of beekeeping. During National Science and Engineering Week people will be able to meet local beekeepers at a number of regional events.’
A full programme of events in your area can be found online at www.nsew.org.uk, where you can also find out more about the many big activities and competitions taking place during this 10-day celebration of science.
National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the British Science Association in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB) and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). Save Our Bees is sponsored by Rowse Honey.