Schoolchildren from throughout Derry city are to take part in a workshop aimed at raising awareness of the importance bees play in our society.
Pupils Eglinton Primary School taking part in the “Culture of Bees and Us” programme. Photo: Lorcan Doherty Photography
Most people are aware of the importance of bees in our countryside for pollinating crops, wildflowers and providing us with honey. Now Derry City Council has partnered with the Derry and District Beekeepers, Roe Valley Beekeepers Association and the Institute of Northern Ireland Beekeepers to delivery an arts and culture based programme called the “Culture of Bees and Us.”
The programme of activities celebrates the symbolic, historical and cultural importance of bees, their products and us.
Classes from ten schools from across the district will take part in a workshop that will raise their awareness of the importance of bees for us. The pupils will work with artist Eleanor Wheeler to make 2013 clay bees that will be brought together to make an art installation called “Honeybee Democracy.” This “swarm” will move from cultural venue to cultural venue until it finds its final resting place.
Eleanor said: ‘This will be a dramatic piece depicting the co-operation that bees display and the co-operation of the children in creating it.”
The project is funded by The Big Lottery through its ‘Culture for All’ programme and the public can become involved at The Beekeeper’s Gathering and Honey Show which is being held on Saturday, 28 September next in the Guildhall from 11.15am to 4.30pm.
Bee Craft demonstrations and free honey tasting will be available and members of the public are invited along to enjoy the “food of the gods” and marvel at the beautiful range of honey colours and tastes.
For more information on the “Culture of Bees and Us” project, the Gathering and Honeyshow visit www.derrycity.gov.uk/biodiversity.
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