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Little Chalfont beekeeper fears for future of insects
A Little Chalfont resident has started a national debate about the future of bees in this country.
A man with a bee in his bonnet, Jim Brooks of Chessfield Park has become so concerned that UK bees risk extinction in less than a decade, that he has sent more than 400 emails to interested parties.
Already, his 'Bee Alert' campaign has generated quite a buzz by featuring on national television and has been taken up by several environmental groups and by the national congress of the WI.
"Crops depend on bees for pollination and 35% of our diet is dependent on pollination by bees," said Mr Brooks.
"There is a distinct chance that honey and bumble bees will be wiped out in the next eight years.
"I am calling on local people to plant nectar-rich plants in their back garden. If everyone planted a small plot of native wild flowers, it would make a great difference."
Bees rely on a large variety of flowers, many of which are no longer grown as land has been given over to agriculture. He said he is calling on the Government to invest more money in bee research.
He added that native wild flowers attractive to bees include cornflowers, meadow buttercups and poppies.
"You can buy wildflower seed mix at your local garden centre and these will attract bees," he said.
To find out more about 'Bee Alert', contact Mr Brooks at jim.brooks@ntlworld.com.
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