Grants and awards will encourage bees

CHILDREN at a village school have helped launch a scheme to encourage more insects to pollinate plants in the region.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris has announced £500,000 of funding this year for projects that support bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Schools, sports clubs, volunteer and community groups can apply for grants of between £10,000 and £100,000.

Applicants must show how they will expand and protect bee habitats, for example by installing "bug hotels", upgrading a neglected green space, planting fruit trees or wildflower meadows.

A panel will then select projects for the scheme, which last year funded 12 projects including a mini orchard, pollinator trail and outdoor classrooms.

Oldbury on Seven Church of England Primary School, who received a £17,000 grant last year, to plant a wildflower meadow on the school grounds and create an ‘outdoor classroom’, which is also open to the ‘Forest Tots’ toddler group, St Arilda’s Church Community and Oldbury Village Community. Mr Norris said: “I’ve made bees a priority as they’re vital to making sure our crops are pollinated and we have food to