Co-operative to create a buzz in Ulverston tomorrow (From The Westmorland Gazette)
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Co-operative to create a buzz in Ulverston tomorrow
9:39am Friday 31st August 2012 in News
AN event designed to encourage more pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, into Ulverston gardens is to take place tomorrow.
The Co-operative is inviting local people to get back to nature at a family-friendly event being organised at the town’s Ford Park.
There will be a fun-packed programme of insect-friendly activities. Those attending will be able to learn how to build a mini-beast home and find out how to create a pond.
There will also be a free wildflower seed giveaway, and there will be an opportunity to meet expert beekeeper Paul Peacock to get an insight into the fascinating world of honeybees. Despite the importance of pollinators to the food chain and the wider natural environment, insect pollinators in the UK are in decline. The number of honeybees in the UK has halved between 1985 and 2005, and three quarters of butterfly species, and two thirds of moths have seen population declines since the 1970s.
Christine Pritchard, Co-operative and Membership Officer for South Cumbria, said: “The Co-operative has already done a huge amount of work to support the plight of the honeybee since its decline was recognised, and now we’re really keen to help our members get behind the campaign, literally in their own back gardens.
“Making gardens attractive to pollinators is a great way to get things growing, but also helps the environment on a much wider level. I’m looking forward to meeting local people at the fun, factual and family-friendly event on Saturday.”
The event in Ulverston is part of The Co-operative’s wider Plan Bee campaign, which supports the growth of urban beekeeping, takes action on pesticide usage, and is giving away a further 300,000 packets of wildflower seeds in 2012 to provide pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators. Plan Bee is an integral part of The Co-operative’s Ethical Plan which was launched last year.
