Artists create a buzz at Rye Harbour

RYE Harbour celebrates its 7th Contemporary Art and Craft Fair at the Avocet Gallery and Ship Studio.

This year however owner Peter Greenhalf wants to create even more of a buzz and is hoping for donations to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

“Most people don’t realize how important bumblebees are,” he explained. “They are not just lovely little creatures that bring our gardens alive with their buzzing. They alone are responsible for pollinating all of the strawberries, beans, courgettes and tomatoes we eat, along with masses of other crops.”

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Because of various factors, including lack of forage and increased use of pesticides, bumblebee numbers have declined to a horrifying degree.

“Romney Marsh, however, is one of the success stories. Thanks to the work of bee-expert Dr Nicky Gammans, who started the reintroduction of the once extinct short-haired bumblebee to the marsh area this summer, Dungeness and Rye Harbour have some of the rarest bumblebees in the country.

“We need to do what we can to help these rare bees survive,” Peter went on. “So that’s why we’re asking for donations. Every year at the opening of our Christmas Show, we offer free mulled wine and mince pies to our visitors… this time we’d like them to dig deep and come up with a donation to help the bumblebees.”

The Avocet Gallery will be holding its Christmas Show until December 23.

“If you can’t make it to the show but still want to help, Peter said, “You can go to www.justgiving/avocetgallery page and make a donation there.”

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