Seed bomb colour throw at Howard Park in Letchworth 
Kids making seed bombs 
John O'Conner's replanting the renowned roundabout with bee-friendly shrubs in November 2023 
The roundabout looking lovely in May 2024 
Wildflowers growing at Jarden in the Jackmans Estate, Letchworth 
Bee orchids growing at Icknield Infant & Nursery School 
One of our signs in a shop window in Letchworth town centre 
Staff out and about providing signs and information about the bee corridor 
Karen Green & Gareth Towson from John O'Conner with Cllr Steve Jarvis
A bee corridor joins up bees' habitat over an area to help them buzz around more easily, and also helps other pollinators too like butterflies and hoverflies.
We need to improve bees' environment so they have enough flowers to pollinate, find a mate and shelter.
Thanks to our grounds maintenance contractor, John O’Connor, our first bee corridor was initiated in Letchworth in 2023. We’re hoping the corridor and other activities will help the world’s first garden city be granted ‘Bee Friendly’ status from the Bee Friendly Trust.
Why do bees need our help?
Bees are in decline on a global scale due to loss of wild spaces and climate change. They are also affected by toxic pesticides and the way land is managed.
Bees are fundamental to our ecosystem and we cannot afford to lose them – 1 in 3 mouthfuls of food eaten worldwide is dependent on pollinators, from your morning cup of coffee to a lovely juicy apple! Essentially they keep us and our world healthy. But with the human population increasing, we're taking up more space which means there's less space for bees and their habitats and other wildlife.
Their habitat is often in small patches separated by roads and buildings, which make it difficult for them to buzz around and do what they need to to survive. A bee corridor is one initiative to improve their environment.
What are we doing to help bees?
Over the last few years, as part of our efforts to increase local biodiversity and wildlife habitats to fight and adapt to climate change, we have established a number of wilding projects, as well as reduced the frequency of grass cutting.
Specifically in Letchworth:
- we're planting more wildflowers and bee-friendly shrubs – including on the UK’s first roundabout
- we're encouraging local residents, businesses, schools and groups to help provide bee-friendly areas
- we're attending community events where people can make seed bombs and learn about wildlife
- John O’Conner organised an event and ‘community seed bomb colour throw’ at Howard Park in April.
In Royston, we’ve been working with a local student on patches of wonderful wildflowers within housing estates.
Future projects
In 2024/25 we allocated £10,000 to develop more bee corridors in the district – so please watch this space!
How you can help
Bee corridors are a real community effort so please get in touch to learn more or share your bee friendly photos so we can include what everyone is doing in Letchworth to help bees and wildlife. Please email BeePartOfIt@JohnOConner.co.uk.