TV star applauds Buxton Station work to protect rare High Peak Bilberry bee

TV presenter Jimmy Doherty has hailed work by Friends of Buxton Station (FoBS) to protect the rare and endangered Bilberry bumblebee - which is native to the High Peak.
By Ben McVay
Published 2nd Sep 2020, 16:45 BST
Updated 3rd Sep 2020, 09:40 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Jimmy - a farmer best known for his show Jimmy’s Farm and co-hosting Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast with Jamie Oliver - wrote to congratulate them on their efforts.

Channel 4 TV programme Jimmy’s Big Bee Rescue showed the presenter working with people to increase bee populations in Peterborough.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However after being contacted by FoBs chairman Dave Carlisle about the group’s own battle for the bee he wrote: “There are projects all over Britain trying to save our bees.

Most Popular
TV show host Jimmy DohertyTV show host Jimmy Doherty
TV show host Jimmy Doherty

“I know about some great work based around the Peak District railway stations - their ‘Buzzing Stations’ initiatives in Buxton and Glossop are already having an impact.”

Last month Dave told how FoBS had have built up a planter unit from old recycled railway sleepers and filled with the Bilberrry’s favourite plants - to entice it back into town.

The project is part of Buzzing Stations - a collaboration between station friends groups from Buxton, Glossop and Hadfield working together with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Northern, Peak District National Park Authority and High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership.

Hide Ad

As well as bringing moorland plants into town to help the bees prepare for hibernation Buzzing Stations have just put together a self-guided bumblebee safari leaflet introducing people to the hidden natural world of bees on our doorstep.

Hide Ad
The new planter unit has been named the 'Bumblebee Express'.The new planter unit has been named the 'Bumblebee Express'.
The new planter unit has been named the 'Bumblebee Express'.

Rhodri Green, local project officer for The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said bumblebees were ‘not just cute, cheery and charming’ but ‘vital pollinators’.

He said: “Changes in agriculture over the last 80 years have had a drastic impact on our bumblebees - leaving them often hungry and homeless.

“It’s fantastic to be involved with station friends groups like FoBS - we love their enthusiasm and supportive plans for Buxton’s bumblebees.”

Hide Ad

FoBS’s Bumblebee Safari leaflet is part of their work towards national Heritage Open

Days with their theme of Hidden Nature.

It can be picked up at Buxton Station and downloaded at heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/bumblebee-safari

Alternatively email [email protected] for an electronic copy.

Related topics:High Peak