BEE FRIENDLY CHAPMANSLADE Apr...
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BEE FRIENDLY CHAPMANSLADE IS BUZZING Chapmanslade village website: http://chapmanslade.org.uk Terry Rose Edited by Terry Rose, 28 Apr 2019 Chapmanslade has always been a friendly open village. But now villagers want it to be especially friendly to the bee population, which according to the Soil Association is in danger as bee numbers fall across the world. The Association says there isn’t one single cause to blame but there are three significant threats that stand out: pesticides, the Varroa mite and habitat loss. So the good folks of Chapmanslade are doing their bit to create a more bee-friendly environment. At the beginning of April, Melanie Holihead, Adam Oakley, Charlene Ridler and Neil Miller, ably assisted by Frank Lake who in his time has been an enthusiastic beekeeper, joined forces to start a Village Voice Initiative arising from the Parish Plan, which has recently been adopted by the Chapmanslade Parish Council. Other villagers are joining the group, who call themselves ‘Bee Friendly Chapmanslade’ (BFC for short), all the time including Katy Bootcamp, Jaimie Shore, and Ian and Sue Ridley. Seed propagation session at the Village Hall. Thanks to Ian and Sue Ridley who provided the seeds The group explore and promote bee friendly practical activities that individuals and the community can do in and around the village. To date this has resulted in a session at the Village Hall planting wild flower seeds in compostable pots for volunteers to cultivate and plant out either at home or alongside one of the village's many footpaths. Also, five wildflower mini-meadows have been planted at the Chapmanslade Memorial Recreation Ground and the group have used the Chapmanslade Village Community Facebook page to disseminate lots of useful information such as ‘Reasons NOT to weed’ and ‘How to build your own bee house’. “We have so much to learn”, said Melanie, “But among the many things we have learned while searching for information on bee protection/encouragement, one thing stands out: the importance of not weeding dandelions. For years many of us have routinely beheaded any dandelions sprouting in our gardens, then prised out the roots, which inevitably regrow with added vigour. We now realise this war on dandelions robs bees and up to 50 other insects of one of their favourite sources of pollen. If you don't want the garden to be covered in dandelions, one answer is to continue to prise up the complete plants, re-site them in their own corner or plant pot, and delay beheading until the flowers are about to die off, i.e. BEFORE the dandelion-clocks appear and fill the air with seeds.”
Transcript of BEE FRIENDLY CHAPMANSLADE Apr...
BEE FRIENDLY CHAPMANSLADE IS BUZZING
Chapmanslade village website: http://chapmanslade.org.uk Terry Rose
Edited by Terry Rose, 28 Apr 2019 Chapmanslade has always been a friendly open village. But now villagers want it to be especially friendly to the bee population, which according to the Soil Association is in danger as bee numbers fall across the world. The Association says there isn’t one single cause to blame but there are three significant threats that stand out: pesticides, the Varroa mite and habitat loss. So the good folks of Chapmanslade are doing their bit to create a more bee-friendly environment. At the beginning of April, Melanie Holihead, Adam Oakley, Charlene Ridler and Neil Miller, ably assisted by Frank Lake who in his time has been an enthusiastic beekeeper, joined forces to start a Village Voice Initiative arising from the Parish Plan, which has recently been adopted by the Chapmanslade Parish Council. Other villagers are joining the group, who call themselves ‘Bee Friendly Chapmanslade’ (BFC for short), all the time including Katy Bootcamp, Jaimie Shore, and Ian and Sue Ridley.
Seed propagation session at the Village Hall. Thanks to Ian and Sue Ridley who provided the seeds The group explore and promote bee friendly practical activities that individuals and the community can do in and around the village. To date this has resulted in a session at the Village Hall planting wild flower seeds in compostable pots for volunteers to cultivate and plant out either at home or alongside one of the village's many footpaths. Also, five wildflower mini-meadows have been planted at the Chapmanslade Memorial Recreation Ground and the group have used the Chapmanslade Village Community Facebook page to disseminate lots of useful information such as ‘Reasons NOT to weed’ and ‘How to build your own bee house’. “We have so much to learn”, said Melanie, “But among the many things we have learned while searching for information on bee protection/encouragement, one thing stands out: the importance of not weeding dandelions. For years many of us have routinely beheaded any dandelions sprouting in our gardens, then prised out the roots, which inevitably regrow with added vigour. We now realise this war on dandelions robs bees and up to 50 other insects of one of their favourite sources of pollen. If you don't want the garden to be covered in dandelions, one answer is to continue to prise up the complete plants, re-site them in their own corner or plant pot, and delay beheading until the flowers are about to die off, i.e. BEFORE the dandelion-clocks appear and fill the air with seeds.”
BEE FRIENDLY CHAPMANSLADE IS BUZZING
Chapmanslade village website: http://chapmanslade.org.uk Terry Rose
Volunteers planting one of five mini-meadows at Chapmanslade Memorial Playing Field The BFC group were really pleased to see so many villagers of all ages turn out for their first sowing of wildflower patches on the Memorial Playing Field. Adam Oakley of Oakley Garden & Estate Machinery, Frome, did a great job with one of his machines preparing the ground, removing turf and turning over the scraped-off turf to make a top layer. Everyone had fun raking, clearing stones, sowing, stamping and watering the ground whilst the children watered anyone who didn’t move fast enough. The result: five patches of wildflower mini-meadows. The hope is that within a few weeks the village can look forward to the sight of blooms attracting bees.
The team take a well-earned rest after all their efforts
BEE FRIENDLY CHAPMANSLADE IS BUZZING
Chapmanslade village website: http://chapmanslade.org.uk Terry Rose
Summer and Henry’s Bee House In the near future the BFC group want to organise a ‘Build a Bee House’ workshop just like the one in the photo which was made by villagers Summer and Henry Ridler – with a little help from Andy, their dad. After just a few weeks there are plenty of bees using the facility. ‘Bee Friendly Chapmanslade’ says “Three cheers” to Barters Plant Centre for supporting the group and for donating pots, carry-trays and potting compost. Barters have lots of bee friendly plants for sale, so mums & dads please note: if your children are keen to plant bee-friendly plants, the Barter's staff are very happy to show them which plants are best for your garden, and tell you how best to look after them.
Look out for more Bee Friendly Chapmanslade events and info on Chapmanslade Village Community Facebook page.
Get in touch using the CONTACT tab on the Chapmanslade Village website at http://chapmanslade.org.uk.
