It’s that time of the year! We’re on the lookout for residents, businesses and groups transforming the nation into a haven for bees and pollinators. Last year saw towns Alresford, Essex; Arundel, West Sussex; Kenilworth, Warwickshire; Leek, Staffordshire; Tring, Hertfordshire; and Wimborne, Dorset being awarded for their inspiration efforts in celebrating pollinators on their patch. …
Author archives: beefriendlytrust
Burt’s Bees x Bee Friendly Trust
We’re excited to be the charity partner for the new collaboration between Burt’s Bees and Wild Fawn Jewellery. The collaboration celebrates the new look of the Burt’s Bees iconic Beeswax Lip Balm Tin and features not only the new lip balm tin but also a hand-crafted necklace, made in London from recycled sterling silver. The …
Wildflower Seeds Now In Stock!
We’ve teamed up with illustrator Esther Kirkpatrick to create these beautiful wildflower seed packets. Each packet features Mother Earth walking through a wildflower meadow of poppies, cornflowers and marigolds, alive with bees and butterflies; and contains a sachet of pollinator-friendly wildflower seed mix. The mix comprises poppies, cornflowers and marigolds, as well as chamomile, white …
Wildflower Seed Packets
We wanted our wildflower seed mix packets to be a little bit different. Which is why we commissioned Esther Kirkpatrick to create this captivating design that showcases Mother Earth scattering wildflower seeds within a meadow that is alive with bees and pollinators. Available to purchase from the Bee Friendly Trust shop; all profits go direct …
Esther Rushton
In December 2022, this striking mural, created by Esther Rushton (the artist who designed our wildflower seed packets), travelled from Brighton, East Sussex, to Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire where it now has pride of place at the station, alongside four of our floral planters, numerous bug hotels and a wildflower meadow.
Station Nature Trail Signage
You may recognise the captivating work on our station nature trail signage as that of Sorcha Faulkner, the talented illustrator behind our bee ID illustrations. It is important to us to share the story behind our wildlife spaces at stations – from why we choose to leave some areas “messy” to what it takes to …
Cosmic Images
Taking inspiration from traditional railway posters, as well as portraying the important message that bees are vital for all life, is this striking mural, which was designed by graffiti artist Cosmic Images, with support from GWR. Find it alongside three of our floral platform planters at Penzance Railway Station, Cornwall.
How to help bees survive droughts and heatwaves
From creating bee drinking stations to protecting pollinator-friendly plants, keep your garden buzzing with tips from the BFT gardening team. 1. Put out a bee drinking station As well for staying hydrated, bees use water to help cool down their hive in hot weather. A shallow saucer filled with water and large pebbles (these act …
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Royal Academy of Music, London
We were asked by the Royal Academy of Music to help them with their beehive project. Our team donned their bee suits and installed forage rich terracotta planters on the roof terrace around the hives. With the lavender and rosemary planted by our gardeners, and the riches of Regents Park just a few wing beats …
Northfields Underground Station, London
Northfields Station was designed by Charles Holden and opened in 1932. It is Grade II listed, including the original planters on the forecourt and platforms. Sadly neglected, the planters have been revived by the Trust and we are working with station staff and rail users to keep them looking as good as the rest of …