Southport Flower Show launches exciting Bee and Bug Hotel competition for schools
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
A fantastic opportunity is opening up for local schools to get creative, learn about nature, and showcase their work to tens of thousands of visitors this summer.
Southport and District Beekeepers have officially launched their Bee and Bug Hotel Competition, inviting children from Nursery through to Year 6 to design and build their very own habitats for pollinators. With a brilliant prize on offer and support from The Beatles Story, this is set to be one of the most exciting school competitions of the year.
The competition is designed to inspire children to learn about the vital role pollinators play in our world, from solitary bees and bumblebees to mason bees and a wide range of insects including butterflies, hoverflies and beetles.
Their role is crucial. While honey bees are responsible for pollinating between 5 and 15 percent of the UK’s insect pollinated crops, the remaining 85 to 95 percent rely on wild pollinators. Together, these species contribute to an estimated 690 million pounds worth of crops every year.
This competition gives children the chance to understand that importance in a fun and practical way.
What’s involved
Schools are invited to submit one entry per year group, with a maximum of seven entries per school. Pupils will first design and then build a Bee and Bug Hotel that meets the needs of pollinators.
The finished hotels must be no larger than 30 centimetres in any direction. The contents and nesting materials should be made or sourced by the children themselves.
All shortlisted entries will be displayed at the Southport Flower Show from 20th to 23rd August, where more than 50,000 visitors will be able to see the children’s work outside the Honey, Baking and Preserves Marquee.
How to take part -
The competition is made up of four stages.
Step 1 Design your Bee and Bug Hotel
Pupils, with support from teachers, should create a design drawing on paper, up to A3 size. The design should include a description of the materials to be used and whether it is intended for a particular type of bee or bug.
Each design must clearly show the name of the pupil or pupils, their school year or age, and the school name.
On the reverse of the design, schools must include contact details, including an email address, telephone number, and a parent or school representative.
Designs must be submitted by Friday 5th June.
Step 2 Shortlisting
All entries will be reviewed by Southport and District Beekeepers. Two designs from each school year will be shortlisted.
Schools will be notified by 19th June if they have been successful.
Step 3 Build your Bee and Bug Hotel
Shortlisted entries will then move on to the build stage, where pupils can bring their designs to life.
Care should be taken to ensure the structure is safe, secure, and able to withstand outdoor conditions such as wind and rain.
Step 4 Deliver your Bee and Bug Hotel
Completed Bee and Bug Hotels must be delivered by 17th July to one of the listed addresses.
Due to school holidays, Southport and District Beekeepers will display the shortlisted entries at the show on behalf of the schools.
The awards
Judging will take place on the evening before the show opens.
Entries will be assessed on overall design, use of materials, suitability of materials, and construction.
There will be seven winners, one for each school year. Each winner will receive an age appropriate book and a visit from Southport and District Beekeepers, who will deliver a live bee demonstration and talk at the school. The bees will be safely contained and no flying bees will be present.
From these winners, two overall winners will be selected. They will also receive:
Their Bee and Bug Hotel displayed year round in the bee friendly planting area at Victoria Park in Southport
A class visit to The Beatles Story in Liverpool, offering an unforgettable journey into the lives and music of The Beatles
How to submit
Designs must be submitted by Friday 5th June to one of the following:
Jeanette Dredge, Byron Cottage, 29 Wood Moss Lane, Scarisbrick, L40 9RJ or
Vanessa Wakefield, The Nook, 5 Mersey Avenue, Formby, L37 7BS
Or by email to:
Completed Bee and Bug Hotels must also be delivered to the same addresses by 17th July.
This is more than just a competition. It is a chance for children to get involved with nature, learn valuable skills, and have their creativity recognised in front of thousands of visitors.
If your child’s school has not yet entered, now is the perfect time to get involved.
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