Staff at Colne Valley Garden Centre are buzzing – about bees.
Workers at the garden centre in Scar Lane, Milnsbridge, are determined to educate people about the importance of bees.
The garden centre, which now has its own hives and hopes to produce its first honey next year, has joined a ‘save the bee’ campaign.
The bee population has been decimated in recent years which could eventually threaten food production due to the lack of pollination.
No-one really knows why bees are disappearing but the European Union has moved to ban certain pesticides.
This year’s Chelsea Flower Show went big on bees and Colne Valley Garden Centre is driving a local awareness campaign.
Julietta Hollingworth, in charge of pets and aquatics at the garden centre, is passionate about bees.
“Bees are hugely important because without them the whole food chain is affected,” she said.
“There has been a big decline in bees and there are food shortages around the world and they say if we don’t take action now we could have real problems in three years’ time.”
Julietta has teamed up with Slaithwaite beekeeper Paul Webley who has installed an observation hive and two production hives at the garden centre.
There are posters around the garden centre with staff on hand to offer advice on bee-friendly plants and shrubs.
Several local schools have also made a bee-line for the garden centre to see the hives.
Julietta said: “What we’ve found is that people confuse honey bees with wasps and kill them.
“They just think of bees as big bumble bees and even educating people about knowing the difference can help.”
Paul, a member of the British Beekeeping Association, is leading a two-day introduction to bee-keeping course at the garden centre on August 17 and 24.
Places costing £80 are limited and Paul will mentor students to help them get started.
For more information ring the garden centre on 01484 656164.
