Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Buzzing for summer
National Trust’s Bee-inspired range is sweeter than honey
Our house was a hive of activity during the week as a huge big bumblebee flew into our sitting room. It was possibly the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen and both myself and my daughter were convinced she had to be royalty. So we were all in a tizzy as to how to free this precious Queen Bee and get her back to her throne because we all know just how precious each and every one of these creatures are.
Unless you have been living under a rock in an unspoiled wilderness untouched by man for thousands of years (and let’s face it, chances of that happening in this day and age are pretty slim) then you will be aware of the news us humans have been dreading for millions of years – we’re all doomed.
Insects are the world’s top pollinators, with 75% of 115 top global food crops depend on them, according to the UN. In a landmark 2019 report, scientists concluded nearly half of all insect species worldwide are in decline and a third could disappear altogether by century’s end. And one in six species of bees have gone regionally extinct somewhere in the world.
Add on to this another report released two weeks ago which revealed the climate crisis could lead to a lot fewer bumblebees, leading to potential “cascading” effects on plant pollination and across whole ecosystems. So, yes, these are the world’s most precious creatures and must be protected at all costs – particularly when they inadvertently fly into your house.
Better stick to bee-inspired homeware such as this collection from the National Trust which works tirelessly to protect and care for places of historical and natural beauty so that all creatures great and small can thrive. www.shop.nationaltrust.org.uk.