DRAWING on decades of research, Lars Chittka argues in his illuminating book The Mind of a Bee that bees—once considered little machines incapable of sophisticated cognitive ability—are, in fact, intelligent and sentient creatures, which can recognise flowers and human faces, learn by observing others, count, exhibit basic emotions and problem solve. It is not surprising then, that the bee is so pivotal in addressing some of the world’s greatest problems, such as poverty and climate change.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Bees For Development is a specialist beekeeping charity with a distinctive purpose —to make life better with bees. By providing training and reliable advice for those who have no access to educational resources, the charity develops beekeeping skills in the poorest communities of the world, giving those most in need a reliable, sustainable income for life.
‘When we set out, we knew that beekeeping worked very well as a way for rural people to create food for their family and community, and income also,’ explains the charity’s director, Dr Nicola Bradbear. ‘We set to work in 1993 with dual aims: to reduce poverty and to increase biodiversity.
‘In those days, it was suggested that we should not use the word biodiversity, because nobody knew what it meant,’ she adds with a smile. ‘Nowadays, it’s not only bees, but all insect pollinators that have gained public awareness. The climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis are no longer treated as separate issues. Beekeeping remains a feasible way for many people to create income at the same time as doing their bit to restore their surrounding habitat.’
Esta historia es de la edición March 15, 2023 de Country Life UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 15, 2023 de Country Life UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Kitchen garden cook - Apples
'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'
The original Mr Rochester
Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre
Get it write
Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution
'Sloes hath ben my food'
A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright
Souvenirs of greatness
FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.
Plants for plants' sake
The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson
Capturing the castle
Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker
Nature's own cathedral
Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods
All that money could buy
A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages
In with the old
Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery