Winter 2023

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GREEN ROOFS HARNESSING THE POWER OF POLLINATORS By Julian Thurbin, Director, Wallbarn. Bees and their pollinator pals are vital to our health and economy, but they are under increasing pressure from loss of habitat, pesticides, climate change and invasive species, such as Asian hornets, which can wipe out colonies in days. Research carried out in 2019 valued the work of bees at around £670 million in terms of the UK crops they pollinate each year. The cost of employing people to do this was estimated at £1.8 billion four years ago, demonstrating the immense value that pollinators bring to the economy. Studies have also shown that crops requiring pollination are five times more valuable than those that don’t – and having a bee colony close to crops can dramatically increase their yield. With one in every three mouthfuls of our food said to depend upon pollinators such as bees, it’s easy to see why ensuring they thrive is so important. Landmark Many of these topics were discussed at a recent Bee Fayre in Wootton St Lawrence, Hampshire, to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of The Feminine Monarchie, a study of the lives of bees by The Rev. Charles Butler, considered by many to be the father of English beekeeping. The Rev Butler was, from 1660 until his death in Left: Julian Thurbin. Above: Having a bee colony next to crops can dramatically increase their yield. Below: The Feminine Monarchie by The Rev. Charles Butler. 1647, vicar of Wootton St Lawrence parish church, where he is buried. The fayre marked the publication of his landmark work which identified that hives were female – and not male – led. Coincidentally, Wootton St Lawrence is also home to Wallbarn’s green roof nursery beds. It’s here, in conjunction with Sedum Growers, that we plant, nurture and harvest the sedum and wildflowers for our award-winning modular M-Tray green roof cassettes. Less of a coincidence is that our nursery has beehives on site; the sedum and native British wildflowers we grow to maturity before dispatching to site as part of the M-Tray system provide a perfect and complete food source for bees, both those cultivated for honey and the wild bee population in the area. David Holloway, joint Managing Director of Sedum Growers, was instrumental in organising the Bee Fayre. He said: “The event was a celebration to tell the whole bee story to our communities, providing education and a practical understanding of the importance of bees and pollinators in a sustainable biodiverse environment.” Wallbarn has long been a cheerleader for bees and it’s becoming more Continued on page 16 >>> 14 GREENSCAPE WINTER <strong>2023</strong> • www.greenscapemag.co.uk
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