Derbyshire’s Friends of Glossop Station and Friends of Hadfield Station recently have set off on their first Bumbleee Safari. These safaris are part of the newly established Buzzing Stations Project coordinated by the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership. The aim is to explore an area for bumblebees based around a local station. And to promote the importance of bumblebees and pollination. A special look is always made for our local rare bumblebee species the Bilberry Bumblebee.

Starting from Hadfield Station, the group was welcomed by chair of Hadfield Station, Joy Hallsworth who gave a short safety briefing. Neil Williams, chair of Friends of Glossop Station then spoke about the importance of bumblebees using props of an apple and a tomato! The group moved on to adjoining station gardens where a yellow flowering buddleia proved to be a very good host for bumblebees 

Walking on to the adjacent Bankswood Park the group looked for bumblebees in the wilder sections. Joy Hallsworth has recently made contact with Bee Wilde Glossopdale a conservation group developing a wildflower meadow in the Park. So the group looked at the progress of this project so far and the wild flowers already in evidence.

It was a very successful outing. Two young brothers, Riordan and Finnan, with their passion for conservation made a big impression on the group on the day. With support from the HPHVCRP they have been invited to create a new wildflower planter on Hadfield Station in the near future. 

The group would like to thank Rhodri Green of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust for all his help and support with this safari and for providing free Activity Boxes for participants. 

After its first season in operation the Buzzing Stations hope to meet for a review in October hosted by Catherine and Helen, HPHVCRP partnership officers and to plan for a 2022 programme.