If you go
down to Manchester this summer you're in for a big surprise...the
Bees have invaded! Until the 23rd September a sculpture
trail of over 100 giant bees has descended on Manchester city centre
and around its suburbs to form Bee
in the City. It is a partnership between Wild in Art and
Manchester City Council who have brought together local businesses,
community groups, artists and young people to decorate so many bees
all with a different design and story behind them.
With so many
to choose from it's difficult to pick out a favourite but I was
naturally drawn to the display at the Science
and Industry Museum. The bee located here is sat amongst the
Summer Bee Garden.
Designed by
Alex Froggatt the garden is filled with bee friendly plants such as
echinacea. She has a background in biology, botany and wildlife
conservation. Her design highlights that even in urban areas bees
need areas where they can find pollen and nectar to feed on.
In Great
Britain of the 270 bee species there are 35 of these are endangered.
This is down to changes in the environment such as loss of habitat,
pollution, use of pesticides and disease. Some of the reasons why
bees are dying are still unknown but by creating bee friendly areas
wherever possible will help existing colonies.
However big
or small your space is a bee-friendly area can be created. An old oil
drum has been used as a container to grow courgettes.
Shelving is
made out of guttering to form a shallow growing area for a variety of
plants including strawberries and tomatoes.
On the other
side pallets have been utilised to create a herb garden.
The bee
itself has been designed and painted by Tim Sutcliffe. Brought up in
nearby Rochdale his 'Industrious' bee was inspired by childhood
visits to the museum. It harks back to an age when much of Manchester
was given over to heavy and dirty industry where factories and mills
filled the landscape. Today the bees are returning to this city.
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