Threave is Buzzing for Chelsea fringe – National Trust for Scotland

The National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Garden makes its Chelsea Fringe debut for spring 2017, with a special focus on bees.

The beautiful Dumfries and Galloway garden has been in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, Scotland’s largest conservation charity, since 1948. It is the only Scottish garden taking part in the Chelsea Fringe, the growing celebration of off-beat gardening which take place around the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show from 20 May – 4 June.

‘Bee at Threave!’ celebrates bees and their important place in our ecosystem. The fun starts with a grand opening event on Saturday 20 May – entry is free for visitors who enter the ‘Bee in Your Bonnet’ competition, there is music by the Vintage Ensemble, a plant fashion show and bee trails and plenty of children’s activities too.

Richard Polley, the National Trust for Scotland’s General Manager for Dumfries and Galloway said:

“Threave is buzzing to be part of the Chelsea Fringe for the first time this spring. Our programme is all about bigging up bees – they play such a vital role in our ecosystem and we all need to play our part in making sure they can thrive.”

A series of bee sculptures will be in place along the drive way and there will be lots of bee and honey food products in the café and gift shop.

The full programme for Bee at Threave is:

Saturday 20 May

Grand opening – ‘Bee in Your Bonnet’ competition, music by Vintage Ensemble, plant fashion show, view inside a bee hive, bee trails, children’s activities, cookery demos ay 4pm and 5.30pm. £2.50 per person.

Sunday 21 May

Meet the Beekeeper from 10am to 4pm, photography workshop from 1.30 – 4pm (£10 charge), sow a bee-friendly flower meadow from 1pm – 4pm (£2 per person), Bee Wild at Threave Nature Reserve from 2 – 3.30pm (£2 adults, £1 children)

Monday 22 May

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm

Tuesday 23 May

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm

Wednesday 24 May

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm, flower arranging with Rosie Gray using native plants from 2.30 – 4pm (£1 per person) and Bee Wild at Bee Wild at Threave Nature Reserve from 2 – 3.30pm (£2 adults, £1 children)

Thursday 25 May 

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm

Friday 26 May

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm, evening talk ‘Sex in the flowerbed – a bee’s eye view’ exploring the close-up details with plants with Heather Marion Russell, award-winning garden designer and Hardy Plant expert (£7.50, booking essential).

Saturday 27 May 

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm

Sunday 28 May

Meet the Beekeeper from 10am – 4pm, garden plant sale with Dumfries and Galloway Nurseries Association from 11am to 4pm and Bee garden walks at 1.30 and 3pm (£2).

Monday 29 May

Bumblebee talk and walk from 1 – 3.30pm (£2 for adults and £1 for children), meet the beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm and sow a bee-friendly wild meadow sessions from 1 – 4pm (£2).

Tuesday 30 May

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm

Wednesday 31 May

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm

Thursday 1 June

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm, sow a bee-friendly wild meadow sessions from 3 – 6pm (£2), live poetry experience – Bee Poetic with Jacob Polley, winner of the TS Eliot Prize for Poetry 2017. (£7.50, booking essential).

Friday 2 June

Meet the Beekeeper from 1.30 – 3.30pm

Sunday 4 June

Grand finale – free admission day, supported by Castle Douglas Development Forum, with children’s play activities, merry-go-round, treasure hunts, face painting, craft sessions, food tasting, special performance about pollination by ‘ Oceanallover’, the Scottish Opera truck, plus make your own solar print photos from 10am – 5pm  (£1).

Threave’s wonderful garden showcases different styles and is a fine example of landscaped beauty. Wander among the rockery, uncover the secret garden and take in the soothing sound of water sculptures.

The wider estate caters for a more adventurous taste and includes our flagship bat reserve. Take a trail to spot these rare, beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. Guided tours can be booked in advance and make sure to save time for some freshly baked treats in the main Terrace Cafe or more intimate and quirky Stables Café.