Bee Walk'n'Talk - September 2012

The first of four Bee Walks set off into the Nature Reserve

On a sunny Saturday in September about 80 visitors joined Cheltenham Friends of the Earth and the Friends of Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve for a Bee "Walk'n'Talk". On the site of a disused railway line, the Pilley Bridge Nature Reserve runs for nearly 1km through Leckhampton, on the outskirts of Cheltenham. Expert guides from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Bee Guardian Foundation were on hand to lead the walks through the nature reserve and give the visitors an insight into the lives of bees and the other insects living there. With so many people we divided into groups and our guides led four walks through the reserve.

Some of the young artists and their entries in the drawing competition

Some of the younger visitors (and some of the not so young) had their faces painted so that they looked like a small swarm of bees. Others entered the drawing competition and won prizes, which included a 'Bee Hotel'.

Jesse Jowers (Bee Guardian Foundation) explains the importance of water to bees

Our local MP, Martin Horwood, came along to learn more about bees and have his face painted by one of our younger members. During his visit we were able to discuss FoE's calls for a National Bee Action Plan, which would save bees and save the country billions of pounds in the future. To support this action and find out what else you can do to help bees, join The Bee Cause at www.foe.co.uk/bees.

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood supporting the bees

After the walk we continued with a discussion over tea and honey at Mel's Café. For more details about the Nature Reserve contact Sue King of FoPBNR via their website www.pilleybridge.org.uk.

Jo Worthy-Jones (Glos Wildlife Trust) leading a Bee Walk

Martin Horwood inspecting a display of bees and wasps

Gathering under Pilley Bridge before the first bee walk sets off