Town awarded 'Bee Friendly' status

Stafford was awarded the title of Bee Friendly Town on World Bee Day on 20 May

Stafford has officially been awarded "Bee Friendly" status following a campaign by volunteers.

The town was granted the accolade by the national Bee Friendly Trust after implementing a number of initiatives to protect and promote pollinators, such as bumblebees, wasps and butterflies.

A campaign for the title had been launched earlier this spring, with schoolchildren placing nests for solitary bees around the John Wheeldon Primary Academy.

Stafford Borough Council's plans include encouraging more native flowers, shrubs and trees and asking residents to sow wildflower seeds and bee-friendly plants.

Several community workshops have also been organised, with local experts set to talk to residents about the importance of bees and the installation of bee hotels and nesting boxes.

Councillor Tony Pearce praised the help and support of organisations and community groups across the borough.

"Bees and their fellow pollinators are vital to the healthy existence of us, the economy, and our natural world. Ultimately, without them, our food supply would collapse," he said.

"We want to encourage the planting of bee-friendly flowers and plants and reduce pesticide use by gardeners and communities. That way we will improve bee health and biodiversity and we can only do this by working together."