Editorial: Bee aware of our vital honey bees

Spring is the month for blossoms, lambs and...bees!

I found out this week that September is Bee Aware Month.

This is initiated by the non-profit organisation Apiculture New Zealand to celebrate the buzzy creatures.

Apiculture New Zealand wants Kiwis to think about the honey bee and its critically important role in our biodiversity and economy - just think of how our manuka honey is loved here, and throughout the world.

An article I read in The Guardian said a world without bees would mean a world without honey, flowers and third of everything we eat, including chocolate and coffee.

Who would want to live in a world like that? Not me.

Let's make sure we do what we can to save them - our lives depend on our little yellow and black friends.

I do get terrible allergies (and the pollen in Rotorua at the moment is not helping) but I'll grin and bear it for these creatures.

I have to admit I didn't know prior to reading about Bee Aware month that apiculture is another word for beekeeping.

You learn something new every day, as they say.

I looked at the Apiculture New Zealand website and it gave some advice to help.

For example if you are a gardener (of which there would be plenty in Rotorua) plant bee friendly trees and plants, such as fruit trees, and be careful with your garden chemicals - there are products with ingredients that can harm bees.

I spoke with Arusha Jayne, one of the Rotorua Honey Bee Club members, about her passion for bees and beekeeping.

If you would like to know more about beekeeping or are just interested, she and other members of the club, will be at Palmers Rotorua this Sunday at 2.30pm for a talk.

I have also found that September is the month of birthdays.

So many of my friends are having parties this month to celebrate another year around the sun for them.

As I mentioned last week I have started watching the Netflicks series Stranger Things.

The next day a friend who lives in Melbourne announced he is having a Stranger Things themed birthday bash - I wish I could go.

Please keep on sending in your reader's pictures. I had a few beautiful blossom pictures - many thanks to those who sent them in.

Take care. Until next time, Georgina.