B&Bs in Powburn, Harbottle and Simonburn have achieved Northumberland National Park B&Bs for Bumblebees 2008 Awards for their friendliness to the natural environment and their welcome to six native bumblebee species in particular.

This years’ winners, who will receive their awards at the Elm Tree Tea Room in Rothbury at 12 noon on Wednesday 12th November, are:

· Eileen Shaw of Reavley Farmhouse B&B, Ingram Valley, Powburn
· Rosemary and Srini  of The Byre Vegetarian B&B, Harbottle
· Ann Maddison of Simonburn Tea Rooms, Simonburn ,Hexham

The B&Bs for Bumblebees awards began last year when the National Park’s Biodiversity Officer, Shaun Hackett, invited 50 Bed & Breakfast establishments in and around the park to take part in the scheme throughout the summer. It was a great success and was extended to all B&Bs in 2008.

In spite of the wet summer this year, bumblebees populations continued to thrive and Shaun was delighted with the response from accommodation owners. The three winners were found to have particularly welcoming surroundings, attracting the ‘Big Six’ species of bumblebees including the Buff-tailed, Common carder, Early, Garden, Red-tailed and White-tailed. He said: “Everyone who entered did well, but the three winning B&Bs are a credit to the county and role models for sustainable, nature-friendly tourism.”

He added: “I found that many people who took part in the award scheme became very enthusiastic to learn more about ‘their’ bumblebees and were keen to pass on the information to visitors. Some took to recording the numbers of bees and the types of flower that were most visited. We’ll certainly be running the scheme again next year and hope lots more people will enter.”

Nature Tourism is rising in popularity and bumblebees are an important indicator species of the health of the natural environment, so the National Park is keen to encourage accommodation and visitor service providers to create havens for these and other creatures that attract native mammals and birds.

The B&Bs for Bumblebees award is open to accommodation or leisure providers that are committed to improving existing green spaces to attract these important and attractive pollinators of flowers and crops. The B&B’s garden or leisure area may already contain a variety of nectar-rich plants, either cultivated or wild, that support a healthy bumblebee population or have the potential to develop further with improved planting and nest boxes. All entrants were offered free help and advice including information on bumblebees, the plants to choose to provide nectar throughout the bumblebee season and species identification cards.

People who are interested in taking part in B&Bs for Bumblebees in 2009 should visit: www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk in the new year or contact Shaun Hackett on Tel: 01669 622069.