We worked with the Friends of Bletchley Station and West Midlands Railway to install this fine planter. The Friends of Bletchley Station are a group of local enthusiasts, dedicated to keeping their local station attractive and friendly to all its users – including bees!
Author archives: beefriendlytrust
Bee Friendly Planters
In the past, all our planters were built from tanalised railway sleepers. The treatment of the wood gives them a life span of at least 10 years. They need no further treatment. But in our efforts to become increasingly sustainable we are now, wherever possible, sourcing local timber, which is either recycled, or from sustainable …
Durham Railway Station, County Durham
As well as being the launch home station for our Observation Hive Installation (made by Amalgam Modelmaking), Durham Railway Station also features bee-friendly planting at the front of the station. The projects here were instigated with support from LNER. The beds here are now being looked after by a local Samaritans group.
Waggle Dancers
Our legendary Waggledancers first came together in 2017. Six contemporary dancers worked with games designer Phoenix Perry and choreographer Jane Turner to create a unique improvised dance performance for the ‘Now Play This’ gaming event as part of the London Games Festival. Dancing on a hexagonal dance floor their movements were stimulated and suggested by …
Spring Planting for Pollinators
Now’s the time to get your garden ready to welcome bees. Here are the Bee Friendly Trust’s top five flowers for attracting bees (and butterflies, hover flies and moths) to your plot – that aren’t lavender. Best for gardening novices: Borage Borage produces prolific blue flowers, which, after being visited by a bee, replenish their …
Newbury Racecourse Railway Station, Berkshire
Working with GWR, we transformed this popular racecourse railway station into a wildlife haven with floral planters, bug hotels and bird boxes, and a strip of wildflower meadow. The lavender here is particularly thriving!
Penzance Railway Station, Cornwall
Working with GWR, we installed three floral planters at Penzance Railway Station and a mural by Cosmic Images. The weather was, shall we say, wet (!) but that didn’t put off station manager, James, who got stuck in helping the team shift soil and keeping them fuelled with cups of tea. The planters join a …
Newhaven Harbour Railway Station, East Sussex
We embraced the “wild” at Newhaven Harbour Railway Station for our latest project with Southeast Communities Rail Partnership. A substantial strip of railway siding had been long neglected and, despite being pretty overgrown, contained some decent plants for pollinators – and wildlife. So instead of stripping the site right back, the BFT team did some …
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Thomas Gontar
We were approached by the family of Amanda Battini in 2021 with the request to create a commemorative bee-friendly tribute for a woman who loved nature and bees. With donations from the family, friends and Amanda’s former workplace, Mills & Reeve LLP, we transformed the dilapidated planters at Cambridge Railway Station. Repairs were made to …
South Woodham Ferrers Railway Station, Essex
Adding to our portfolio of station transformations with Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail, we created a series of herb beds that we installed at stations including Witham, Colchester, and Sudbury. Planted with mint, rosemary and thyme, amongst other herbs, they’re not only suitable for commuters to pick from for cooking; the flowers are also …
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