Families enjoyed a buzzy day out in Hadfield.

Joy Hallsworth, from the Friends of Hadfield Station, and Neil Williams, from the Friends of Glossop Station, organised a Bumblebee Safari from Hadfield Station. 

In unusually sunny conditions, more than 40 people gathered, including families, children and bumblebee aficionados. 

Standing on the station platform, Neil introduced Joy, himself and guest Megan Carroll from the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership. 

Using the poster ‘Bumblebees of the Peak District’ affixed to the perimeter fence, Neil was able to explain the different sorts of bumblebees found in the UK, including the High Peak’s own rare bumblebee, the bilberry bumblebee. 

Neil had a large knitted model of the bilberry bumblebee, provided by Sheila Webster, and was able to point out its distinctive orange tail and yellow stripes. He explained how bumblebees are in decline due to loss of wild flower meadows and how bumblebees pollinate crops. 

Joy then showed the type of plants used in the Hadfield station planters, including a special hexagonal planter created by two local schoolchildren two years ago. 

The group then looked at the large station approach garden where the buddleias provided the visitors’ first sightings of bumblebees.

After this, the group moved on to nearby Bankswood Park, taking in a route which is deliberately managed for wildlife by High Peak Borough Council. 

Along the way they looked for bumblebees feeding on thistles, rosebay willow herb, blackberry flowers and clover. 

Evora Haslehurst, 11, then distributed 20 facts on cards on bumblebees. The facts were read out by children and adults giving everyone time to consider information such as bumblebees have five eyes and can flap their wings 200 times a second.

After this the group made its way back to the Hadfield station where Joy and Neil gave out souvenir Hadfield Station mugs and small wooden bumblebees to everyone.

Everyone agreed it had been an interesting and informative afternoon and Neil and Joy thanked people for their support.

The event was inspired by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust which regularly holds Bumblebee safaris. 

In the High Peak, several railway stations are known as Buzzing Stations in order to raise awareness of native bumblebees.

The event was fully risk and safety assessed and was supported by the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership and Northern.