Henley and the Bees
Henley and the Bees
By Diana Barnett
We all know how important pollinators are in keeping life “ticking over”. Most of us are aware there has been a dramatic drop in our pollinator population – that’s bees of all sorts, butterflies, moths, hoverflies, flies, wasps and tiny creatures we couldn’t even name.
Henley Town Council wants to help our struggling pollinators by becoming a Bee Friendly Town. We are supporting them by finding community groups, residents’ groups, schools, churches, businesses within the town willing to help us gain Bee Friendly Town Status.
All that’s required is an outdoor space – a scrap of land, a bed, a raised bed, window box whatever is available to plant up with suitable nectar rich plants.
Place a solitary bee hotel nearby and provide a shallow source of water for thirsty bees. And of course the important thing, it should be pesticide free.
So far we have a primary school, a church, a nursery, 2 residents’ groups, a sports ground, social housing associations, the college, Headway, and 3 shops who are keen to Bee Friendly.
Why not join in so that we give bees and other pollinators more chance of survival by providing them with food, shelter and water? Let me know if you are interested in getting your company, club or street involved in making your own bespoke pollinator paradise. Let’s get Henley buzzing!
Diana Barnett
