BUZZ OF EXCITEMENT FOR SOUTH OF ENGLAND SHOW - 10/06/2010

This year’s South of England Show will have an extra buzz of excitement – as the newly announced central theme is “The Year of the Bee.”

The South of England Agricultural Society has decided to adopt the species as the theme for its 2010 flagship summer show in recognition of the plight of the important bee.

Beekeepers have welcomed the chance to focus public attention on the problem at such a high profile event. David Staples, Chairman of the South of England Bee Keepers Committee, said: “Native British bees are dying out – and with them will go flora, fauna and one third of our diet. The situation is serious, so we are delighted to have this valuable opportunity to raise awareness of the bee.”

International trade in honey bees has spread pests and diseases which imminently threaten their survival. Experts fear they could be extinct within the next decade.

For bumbles, too, time is running out and numbers have collapsed dramatically since the 1990s.

Organisers at the South of England Show plan to include the bee theme in many of the exhibits and displays and particularly in the opening ceremony. There will also be experts on hand to give advice to anyone interested in taking up bee-keeping.

The three day Show will be held on 10-12 June at the South of England showground, Ardingly, near Haywards Heath.