Allotment holders get busy to rescue bees from extinction

CONCERNS over a dramatic decrease in the British bee population has prompted a group of allotment holders to invest in three hives.

Scientists say three of the country's 25 bumblebee species have become extinct, while other species have suffered alarming declines of up to 70 per cent.

Members of Grindleford Allotment Association have transformed an old, overgrown playing field beside the River Derwent into 25 plots and a communal village orchard.

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The project cost around 16,000, with some money coming from the Peak District Sustainable Development Fund and another grant being provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Money for the 3,300 bee hives was also provided by the sustainable development fund, and allotment holders have learned how to ensure that the insects thrive in their new home.

An open day will be held at the allotments on Sunday between 2pm and 5.30pm, when the new beekeepers will be available to advise people on how they can help protect bees.

A spokesman for the association said: "At last year's open day there was a lot of interest in who was growing what and why, so this year the allotments will have mini-blackboards with information.

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"Members will also be there to explain their techniques. Visitors will also be able to try their hand at dry stone walling and future ideas for development include a small vineyard."

Since the association took over the disused playing field, villagers have also built a barbecue area, a wildlife pond, rebuilt more than 70 metres of dry stone walls and installed a communal shed with rainwater collection tanks.

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