Beekeeping and live bees at Saffron Walden Museum

SAFFRON Walden Museum will be buzzing on Saturday (June 23), from 11am-4pm, when the Essex Beekeepers group display a live hive with honey for sale.

The event marks the start of National Insect Week and will include information about bees and other insects in the museum until Sunday July 1.

See live bees in the observation hive with the Saffron Walden Division of the Essex Beekeepers.

The event has been organised to coincide with the Royal Entomological Society’s National Insect Week which this year, inspired by The Olympics in London during 2012 and the Diamond Jubilee of the Society’s Patron HM The Queen, is celebrating all that is great about British insects.

National Insect Week is a biennial initiative to promote awareness of the value of a diverse insect world to the environment and is supported by more than 50 national partner organisations concerned about natural history and biodiversity.

An interactive website - nationalinsectweek.co.uk - gives visitors all the information they need to get involved, from finding out about events taking place in their area to a photography competition and advice on bringing more British insects into our gardens.

Luke Tilley, National Insect Week, co-ordinator, said: “There are lots of events taking place across the country to mark National Insect Week this year which is really exciting given how special 2012 is for Great Britain.

“There’s a huge range of activities being staged by local and regional wildlife organisations which will enable children and adults explore the wonderful world of insects for themselves.”

Saffron Walden Museum is open: Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm & Sundays and Bank Holidays 2pm-5pm. Entrance: �1.50, Discounts 75p, children 18 and under FREE. Annual Season tickets �5 and �2.50.

For details, call the museum 01799 510333 or e-mail museum@uttlesford.gov.uk.