THE Museum in the Park and Stroud Beekeepers have joined forces this week to offer families a fabulous craft activity combined with a chance to discover more about bees.

Children, parents and grandparents dropped in to learn more about the world of bees and the importance of these amazing pollinating insects.

Fascinating and informative displays included a bumble bee’s nest, a ‘virtual hive’, and child-size beekeeping suits, as well as local honey.

"We were inspired by the bees in Cleo Mussi’s mosaics" explained Ann Taylor, the Museum’s Learning Officer.

"Many bees feature in Cleo’s latest collection, which examines humankind’s impact on the planet and the environment. Bees are vitally important as pollinators - one third of all the food we at would not be available if it was not for bees. So, we thought we’d celebrate them this week with a bee brooch making activity, which has proved extremely popular."

Youngsters interested in getting more involved can join Stroudbeekeeper’s Buzzclub.

It currently has a membership of 27 children aged from 5 to 12 and has regular meetings for different age groups at the Apiary in South Woodchester.

"The aim of our Buzzclub is ‘To learn to Bee kind, know about, and take care of the world of the honey bee’", said Peter Lead, Chair of Stroud beekeepers.

"We talk and play and look into the hives, learning about pollination and the importance of looking after our environment."

For adults who are thinking of beekeeping, Stroud Beekeepers are holding a Taster Day on September 20 at Woodchester, when they will talk you through a year in beekeeping and get you up close and personal with bees. (- in protective clothing!)

There’s some great news for local schools, too.

Thanks to a recent donation from the Royal Agricultural University, Stroud Beekeepers are able offer a grant of £250 to a school that would like to start a Buzzclub of their own.

This can be for training staff or parents, or towards the set up costs involved.

For further information contact Peter, email chair@stroudbeekeepers.co.uk or visit www.stroudbeekeepers.co.uk/www.museuminthepark.org.uk