Cliffe Castle is Bees Needs Champion for third time

Cliffe Castle Receives Third National Bees Needs Award in Four Years

Cliffe Castle has been recognised with a national Bees Needs Champion Award for the third time in four years, acknowledging its ongoing work to support and educate the public about bees and other pollinators.

Cliffe Castle were last named Bees Needs Champion in 2024.

The award, administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), recognises exceptional work by local authorities, community groups, farmers and businesses in supporting pollinators through activities such as creating wildflower patches, community education programmes and habitat preservation.

Award Recognition

The award will be presented to Cliffe Castle Support Group (CCSG), reflecting the organisation’s activities over the past 12 months in pollinator conservation and education.

Conservation and Education Activities

CCSG has implemented a comprehensive programme including:

Habitat Management

• Allowing sections of the park to grow naturally for pollinator benefit
• Maintaining grass growth around fruit trees to encourage early pollinators and improve fruit tree pollination
• Creating a rockwork area providing safe nesting sites for bumblebees
• Developing wildflower areas for pollinator identification and counting sessions

Community Engagement

• Conducting pollinator identification sessions from April to September
• Organising nature and wildlife themed walks
• Facilitating tree pruning sessions for community groups
• Providing hedgerow planning training sessions
• Supporting a local school in establishing a raised bed for fruit, vegetables and companion plants

Educational Programmes

• Year-round community events and activities
• Open day activities involving local residents
• Collaboration with local experts

Additional Benefits

The natural habitat management approach has produced secondary benefits, including reduced vandalism and damage to trees, while wildflowers and trees serve as educational resources for pollinator identification sessions.

Official Statements

Val Preston of Cliffe Castle Support Group said:

“Bees’ Needs activities are key in our volunteer work and community events. Activities include people of all ages, we aim to encourage acceptance and knowledge of these vital and important pollinators and their habitat. We are delighted to win the Bees Needs award for a third time.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Healthy Places, said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for CCSG. Receiving this recognition for three years in a row highlights the tireless and innovative work being done to spread the word on the importance of bees and pollinators to our environment, attract local interest and create safe environments for these insects to flourish.”

About Cliffe Castle Support Group

Cliffe Castle Support Group operates as a volunteer organisation working in partnership with Bradford Council to support and enhance Cliffe Castle Museum and Park through events and activities.

Further information is available at: