On Wednesday 25th June, we will be getting our latest school pets. Almost one million Bees!
We have set up 12 hives which the children, with the help of Karen Stephens, have painted with pictures inspired by the marsh. They form a large circle of hives which are part of our West Rise Bee Sanctuary. Local, skilled bee keepers are running the project, which will see our children learning about these amazing creatures first hand.
The type of bee we are getting is called the “Native British Black Bee”, thought until recently to be extinct. Bees are becoming endangered, due to modern farming methods, and without bees to pollinate the plants, which humans and animals eat, humans would also endanger themselves.
Last Friday, during our school Bee Fest on the marsh, an amazing thing happened! A wild swarm of bees moved into one of the hives the kids had painted! They found the hive on their own and are now living there.
We will keep you updated as the project progresses and hopefully you will be tasting some West Rise honey really soon!
Mike Fairclough
Mental Health and Wellbeing at West Rise Junior School 