A buzz around town as Keighley project receives recognition

Keighley Town Council has received a coveted accolade in recognition of its pollinator project.

The organisation has been presented with a Bees’ Needs Champion Award by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Honours are awarded in recognition of “exceptional” initiatives undertaken by local authorities, community groups, farmers and businesses, to support pollinators.

The town council venture – which was funded by its events and community development committee – saw it work with primary school children in the Keighley area to help raise awareness and educate young people about the importance of pollinators and their conservation, and planting took place.

Sessions held with Oldfield and St Joseph’s primary schools included a talk by a representative of Airedale Beekeepers Association, and practical activities such as making mini planters with social enterprise the Responsible Timber Co.

Planters and sensory plants were provided at St Joseph’s, and the project – in partnership with Trees For Cities – supported locally-based co-operative Fruit Works to plant apple, pear and plum trees and a ‘jam hedge’.

Future work planned includes hop planting, pruning workshops for parents and autumn fruit juicing sessions.

In addition to the work at school sites, the town council took over the management of new planting areas in the town centre and offered sessions to primary pupils.