Shropshire Star

Outdoor scheme buzzing with success

Bees are set for a brighter future thanks to money raised from a new countryside membership scheme.

Published
The Bee metropolis at the mere in Ellesmere

The ‘Shropshire’s Great Outdoors’ scheme was launched in December 2016 with all membership fees put towards the maintenance of Shropshire Council’s countryside parks and sites.

Now, the money raised in the first year of the scheme is to be used to improve and enhance the Bee Metropolis that sits alongside The Mere at Ellesmere and provides a home to solitary bees and other invertebrates.

Planned for early summer 2018, the work includes enhanced wildflower beds and new information boards showing types of British bees and the food plants they require to survive.

Meanwhile, the Shropshire’s Great Outdoors scheme has been developed for its second year to appeal to a greater range of people, and the list of member benefits has also been revised and improved. The scheme now offers joint and family membership, in addition to the existing individual membership.

As well as free parking at Shropshire Council’s countryside sites, members of the scheme can now benefit from discounts at The Boathouse in Ellesmere, Severn Valley Country Park café, and on room bookings at the Warden’s Bungalow in Ellesmere – plus 10 per cent discounts on many events at Theatre Severn, the Old Market Hall in Shrewsbury and events being held at Severn Valley Country Park.

For a full list of discount benefits for members and information on how to join the scheme visit the Shropshire Go Outdoors webpage.