A brand new biodiverse garden for bees has opened inside Congleton Park.

Already known for the vibrant and colourful flower displays, the latest addition to our town's Victorian park was thanks to a brainwave from a Congleton High School pupil.

Annabel Jackson (12) designed The Just Bee Garden in the spring, and just months later, 100 people gathered at the new garden to officially open it.

Over 90 school children attended, including Year 3 pupils from The Quinta Primary School who had just finished a project studying bees before breaking-up for the half-term.

Annabel's idea is the bees knees!

Fiona Bruce MP also attended, as did Congleton in Bloom, Trees for Congleton, and Friends of Congleton Park.

Our town's Conservative MP called the addition to our town's Victorian park as 'fantastic'.

Mrs Patti Pinto spoke about the history of the project, thanking everyone who had helped bring out to reality.

"This sustainably-planted biodiverse garden is good not only for bees all year round, fulfilling all the 'Bees' Needs', but also for people who can relax here and get away from the stress of every day life.

A Knutsford firm completed the adjacent paths, and a Congleton baker produced a bee-themed cake for everyone to enjoy.

Adam Linnet of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust called The Just Bee Garden "A brilliant case study for us to show other Cheshire residents what they can achieve in their local spaces."

In 2019, there were an estimated 247,000 bee colonies in the UK.

Pollinating insects in general are believed to have declined in the UK since the 1970s, but will be a key asset in fighting the climate crisis.

Congleton Park is located on CW12 1NS.

The new flowers were local. Most of the plants were supplied by Astbury family business DJM Nursery.

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