A GROUP of five primary schools in the town will ‘bee friendly’ this year in a new project run by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and MINI Plant Swindon.

The project aims to engage the children with hands on nature activities, such as planting and growing native wild flowers and nectar plants in ‘bee-beds’.

The trust’s education officer, Anne Billinge, said “This is a great project to teach youngsters the value of nature, learning about the importance of biodiversity and teaching them the concept and the value of living landscapes.

“The trust will be working with MINI Plant, Swindon, and local schools to develop wildlife areas and raise awareness of the plight of our friend, the bee.”

As part of the project, each of the participating schools will have a dedicated education officer provided by the trust.

These officers will install a bee-bed filled with nectar plants and native wildflowers, which the children will help to plant and maintain. The children will be able to log their bee sightings via a spotter sheet on the trust’s website.

There will also be regular nature-based activities for the children to enjoy and learn about the value of plants and insects.

Kimberley Ragousis, from MINI Plant Swindon’s communications team, said “We’re delighted to be involved in creating local ‘bee friendly’ wildlife gardens in our community. It’s wonderful that by using the gardens in a creative way, we can provide a simulating educational tool for the children.”