Our pollinators are in peril; bumblebees, solitary bees and honey bees are all under threat from the modern-day onslaught of pesticides, habitat loss and intensive agriculture. Yet between them, the almost 300-species of UK bee, along with other pollinators, are responsible for more than a third of everything we eat. This fascinating and richly illustrated talk will introduce many of the bee species found in the UK and explain how you can help to save them by creating a pollinator oasis in your garden – or windowbox, if that’s all you have. This talk is presented by Richard Rickitt, one of the UK’s best-known beekeepers and co-editor of BeeCraft magazine which has been published since 1919 and is read by beekeepers and entomologists around the world.
"Everyone was enthralled from start to finish. The subject is huge and you successfully condensed it into an entertaining and informative session, maintaining our attention and concentration throughout. I was scribbling notes and plant names all the time but the superb fact sheet you sent out afterwards contains all the information I need. The members are already demanding that we book you again!" Helen Frankland, High Levels WI
Views: 1584 | Enquiries: 72Following a career in movie special effects, I now spend most of my time writing, talking, and thinking about bees.
I am editor of BeeCraft, the national beekeeping magazine (established in 1919, and the World’s oldest beekeeping journal) and author of Beekeeping for Gardeners (Bloomsbury, 2023). I keep around 30 hives of my own bees as well as a few more for some high-profile locations and individuals. I am beekeeper at Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, where I also teach beekeeping courses. I am an international award-wining author of several books.
My talks are richly and clearly illustrated and designed to fascinate and amaze - and there are always a few laughs. My talks to U3A, Rotary, Probus, WI and gardening groups are consistently voted by members as among the most fascinating and entertaining they have received - I am almost always immediately booked for a return visit.
If you are interested in this talk and wish to contact the speaker, please complete the following form: