by Leonie Williams
Canwell Show is one of the Midlands’ largest and oldest one-day agricultural events and this year it was on Saturday 8th August. The show includes animals, competitions, food & craft stalls and LIVE music as well as vintage tractors and other vehicles.
Sutton Coldfield and North Birmingham beekeepers had a pitch that was well stocked. Full of information and visuals about bees and beekeeping, as well as other important documents about the threat of the Yellow Legged Hornet, wildflowers and other resources that bees need to help them survive.
As expected, live bees in an observation hive were the favourite attraction and were well looked after by volunteers of the association who took it in turns to talk to our multiple visitors. Lots of discussions were held and copious questions answered as everyone – young and old – was thoroughly fascinated by these wonderful insects.
In addition to looking at the bees, people could dress as a bee keeper and play the ‘fruit game’ to name all the fruits on display and take part in an interactive session learning about pollination and just how important the bees are.
Our association Sutton Park Honey was for sale, which flew from the shelves once people had sampled a free taster. We had lots of enquiries about our forthcoming winter and summer courses as well.
Thank you to all of the volunteers who gave up their time to promote the craft of beekeeping – it’s truly a wonderful association to be part of.
