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Land at Norton Bridge
Friends of Norton Bridge
Land at Station Road, Norton Bridge – Community Update
The Asset of Community Value (ACV) nomination which was discussed at the last FONB meeting was submitted on 1st March and is in the process of being reviewed by Stafford Borough Council. A decision has to be made by them before the end of April.
In relation to the sale of the car park and land, we understand a local benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous for the time being has made the purchase.
We believe the individuals aim is to retain the status quo for the area.
Asian Hornets
Local Bee Keepers urge the public to join the fight against Destructive invasive species
- Beekeepers across Staffordshire are calling on the public to help spot and report Asian Hornet sightings as we head into spring
- The destructive insect poses the greatest threat to our native honey bees in a generation
- Experts warns there could be catastrophic consequences for the UK’s wider ecology if the insects are allowed to become established here
- Asian Hornets can become aggressive when defending nests, posing a risk to public health
- More nests were discovered in 2023 than in the previous six years combined
- The cost to the economy in France, where Asian Hornets have become established, is estimated to be in excess of £26 million ever year
Local members of the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) are calling on the public to be vigilant and look out for Asian Hornets and nests as we head into the warmer months.
Asian Hornets are an incredibly destructive invasive species that specialise in preying on honeybee hives – one Asian Hornet alone can kill 30-60 honeybees per day. First discovered in the UK in 2016, the insect has travelled to our shores from northern Europe, where there are now over half a million nests annually in France alone.
By 2022, just 16 Asian Hornet nests had been discovered in this country. But in 2023, this increased dramatically to 72 nests in 56 different locations, with Kent and the South East most predominantly affected. But there have been sightings in many other locations, including as far north as Scotland, and a credible sighting already reported in January this year, sparking fears the non-native insect may become established in the UK.
Experts are keen to point out that this is not just a problem for beekeepers, but poses a significant risk to public health. Asian Hornets are aggressively defensive of their nests, which are often built in hedgerows and brambles, meaning disturbances by unsuspecting individuals could have dangerous consequences.
An Asian Hornet can be identified by its very distinct markings – they’re a similar size to a European Hornet, which is two or three times the size of a common wasp, and are black with distinct yellow lower leg.
The public are being urged to stay vigilant, and encouraged to report any suspected sightings on the Asian Hornet Watch app, which is available to download on iOS and Android.
Expert teams from the National Bee Unit, part of Defra, will then be deployed to track hornets back to their nests, which are then destroyed.
Reporting a possible sighting of an Asian Hornet is quick, free, and easy and has the potential to make a huge difference in the fight against this invasive species.
Notes to editors:
Members of the South Staffordshire Beekeepers’ Association are available for interview: please contact Jan Horstink on horstink63@gmail.com
Further information including how to identify Asian Hornets, and the latest updates, can be found on the BBKA and National Bee Unti websites here:
https://www.nationalbeeunit.com