News

Bradford Mela

Submitted by julia on Thu, 18th Jun 2009, 9:53am

Bradford Mela celebrated its 21st anniversary last weekend. BEES held a stall in the environment tent, offering information and activities.

This was an ideal opportunity to talk to people about BEES projects - in particular volunteering opportunities and the wildlife field visit programme.We were also giving people advance notice of this year's Apple Day which will be held on Saturday 10th October at Bowling Park Community Orchard.
We also distributed BEF leaflets to promote the environment sector as a whole.

One hundred people enjoyed the activities we had on offer;

  • on Saturday we made tetrapak wallets (reusing old juice cartons to make attractive purses) - this simple activity continues to wow people.
  • on sunday people made woollen bee mobiles.

Breathing Places at BEES UNR

Submitted by julia on Tue, 12th May 2009, 12:58pm

BEES have been awarded a Breathing Places grant to deliver activities and events at our Urban Nature Reserve

Breathing Places is part of the Big Lottery Fund and aims to encourage involvement in wildlife places.

The Breathing Places programme is part of the Big Lottery Fund and has developed in partnership with the BBC. It complements the BBC’s Breathing Places campaign by giving funding for small groups. This round of Breathing Places grants has been timed to coincide with with the BBC’s Springwatch Open Weekend on 6th and 7th June June 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

  We will run a full weekend of activites at the Reserve on 6th and 7th June. In addition there will be further open days and practical task days over the next couple of months. In the next few days we will publicise the complete programme. There will be extra volunteer opportuntities which you may be interested in.

Blossom Day Friday 8th May 2009 Bowling Park Community Orchard 11-3pm

Submitted by Nick on Tue, 5th May 2009, 9:53am

We are holding our annual Blossom Day event at Bowling Park Community Orchard. It is a great opportunity to visit the site and see the spectacle of the fruit trees in blossom, particularly if the weather is kind to us. We will be organising our usual volunteer day, visits from school groups and activities between 11-3pm. These will include water colour painting, making insect homes and planting.

Refreshments will be available and we will be lighting a barbecue so people can bring their own food to cook and enjoy the surroundings.

There are opportunities for people to carry out volunteer work, take part in activities, learn about growing fruit trees or simply enjoy the site.

Bowling Park Community Orchard can be accessed from Bowling Park Drive, Bradford, BD4

Link to Orchard directions 

Should you have any queries regarding the event please contact BEES 01274 513109/513102

Charcoal for sale

Submitted by julia on Wed, 1st Apr 2009, 6:20pm

BEES manufactures a small amount of barbeque charcoal which is available to buy from the BEES office.

The charcoal is made from timber produced as a result of coppicing and thinning tasks at local reserves so by buying the product you are not only supporting nature conservation in the Bradford District, but you will no longer need to buy imported charcoal. Most of the charcoal in the shops is imported from South America and is made from mangrove and other hardwoods. Habitats are destroyed in the process and there are also issues of child labour and the fuel needed to transport the product across the globe.

British made charcoal is of high quality, lights easily and comes to cooking temperature quickly. We cannot guarantee the sun, but surely there is no other reason not to buy Bradford charcoal! Get in touch.

If you are interested in drawing charcoal let us know, we will make some when our production starts later in the spring.

Funding Update

Submitted by julia on Tue, 31st Mar 2009, 1:53pm

We have received confirmation that our commission from the Community Funding Unit has been extended until September 2009. Over the next six months the CFU will continue discussion with the Strategic Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to see if any extra resources can be aligned to the voluntary environment sector, they then hope to recomission for alonger period.

This money supports our Conservation Tasks, Wildlife Field Visits, some work with schools and community groups, events such as Blossom Day and Apple Day.

Community Space Challenge Update

Submitted by julia on Tue, 31st Mar 2009, 1:42pm
CSC has seen some staff changes as Bianca left for maternity leave several weeks ago (she is now the mother of a little boy). Her maternity leave is being covered by two people. Rachel Deadman is acting as the Project Coordinator and she is being supported by Jenny Sherriff. Jenny is the Project Worker and is taking a lead on the delivery of sessions with the PALZ teams. They have made a great start to pick up where Bianca left off and are driving ahead some exciting projects. Probably the biggest is at Springfileld Centre in Thorp Edge where an ambitious community garden is being created with the centre management committee. In the Trident area the initiative to improve the area around the YMCA building is starting with a repaint and mural on the wall. In Allerton the young people are working to improve a snicket area.

Job Vacancy at BEES: Environmental Project Worker

Submitted by julia on Wed, 14th Jan 2009, 9:20am

JOB OPPORTUNITY - Bradford YMCA is seeking to appoint a Community Space Challenge; Environmental Project Worker.


This is a temporary post to cover Maternity Leave (with possibility of extension afterwards), starting as soon as possible.
The post is for 30 hours per week and will include after school delivery of environmental youth work sessions, working with 8-13 year olds. To get a better feel of what the job will involve visit the CSC webpage
Salary £17,500 pro rata

Closing date Monday 26th January, 12 noon.
Interviews will take place on Monday 2nd Feb, late afternoon
Please ring 01274 513102 for an application pack.
This post is subject to an enhanced CRB disclosure.
If would like an informal chat please ring Julia Pearson or Bianca Muckley, 01274 513109

Open Afternoon at Bradford YMCA - 18th December 2008

Submitted by julia on Fri, 12th Dec 2008, 2:58pm
John Aderetti, YMCA Director, is hosting a 'Friends of YMCA' event at 12 noon - organisations have been invited to come and find out about Bradford YMCA with a view to them maybe becoming involved in supporting us (financially or in kind).
From 2pm the event is open to the local community, partners and service users/volunteers, including anyone who has been involved with YMCA in the past, to have a pre Christmas gathering. Everyone is welcome.

Christmas planting, 19th December 2009 Update!

Submitted by julia on Fri, 12th Dec 2008, 12:02pm

We have just heard that the Higher Scholes Farm site is not ready for the trees to be planted, so we are changing the location. As yet we do not know exactly where that is, but we will be meeting at the YMCA and leaving at 10am as normal. Sorry for the change.  We will still spend the morning tree planting, stop for a late lunch and then retire for a festive drink. We are also planning to go for a festive curry when we arrive back in Bradford. All are welocme to join us and you can phone on the day to find out the details as we will be making a plan on the day. Hope to see as many people as possible on the day at some point.

The last volunteer task of the year is on Friday 19th December and we will be joining Forest of Bradford at Higher Scholes Farm, Scholes Lane near Oakworth. In keeping with tradition we will spend the morning tree planting, stop for a late lunch and then retire for a festive drink at the Grouse Public House nearby. The pub sells hot drinks as well as the normal bar options, and food is available. Everyone welcome.