Pupils from a local primary school have designed and decorated painted boards for the College beehives.
Patterned designs help foraging honeybees to identify their own hives and deter them from ‘stealing’ honey from neighbouring hives.
Beehive decoration is common practice in central and eastern Europe, and the College beekeepers took inspiration from this for the project here in Cambridge.
James Foster, gardener and beekeeper said:
“The students have engaged enthusiastically with the project and have an impressive understanding of bees and their importance in ecosystems. It has been great fun to share our beekeeping work with them, and they have produced some wonderful designs for the hives.”
Sixteen students from Morley Memorial Primary School designed and created individual panels.
The themes they chose included geometric shapes, honeycombs, plants and flowers, as well as emblems and people associated with the College including Charles Darwin and the Great Gate.
The pupils visited the College in July to tour the gardens and learn more about bees and beekeeping.
Pupil, Bianca said:
“I really enjoyed looking at the bees. We could see bees taking pollen out of the flowers and it was really fascinating to look at.”
Layla-Rose said:
“I enjoyed doing the panel and thinking of things related to the bees to make it unique.”
Jessica described her design and said:
“I went for the HMS Beagle and DNA designs to represent evolution.”
And, asked about his favourite aspect of the visit, Azaan said:
“I liked seeing Darwin’s Room and his garden – it was really cool!”
Over the summer, six designs will be installed on the College beehives and the other ten will decorate the beekeepers’ shed at the bottom of the Fellows’ Garden.
The gardens and grounds are open to the public, 7 days per week from 09:00-12:00 (the Fellows’ Garden is closed at weekends).