Members of the Nature Action Plan WG with the award

Knutsford now a ‘Bee Friendly Town’

Knutsford has been accredited as a Bee Friendly Town.

The award, announced to coincide with World Bee Day (20th May), recognises communities which have taken action to support pollinators and is awarded by the Bee Friendly Trust.

Knutsford has been recognised for the work, led by Knutsford Town Council through its Nature Action Plan, which has seen wildflower meadows sown and a permanent educational bee trail created in 2025. The award follows the ‘Bees Needs’ accolade awarded to Knutsford by DEFRA in 2025.

Emma Pritchard of the Bee Friendly Trust praised the town’s application: “The judges really enjoyed reading about everything that you have been doing to support bees and pollinators in your area. They particularly loved your 5km Bee Trail – what a fantastic way of engaging and inspiring your community.”

To celebrate the award, residents can collect free wildflower seed packets, along with a sticker and window sticker from Knutsford Library, Knutsford Market Hall and Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe. They are available from 20th May until stocks run out and were donated by the Bee Friendly Trust.

You can read more about the Knutsford Bee Trail and positive action you can take to support pollinators at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/bee-trail.

A Pond

Pondlife event to launch year of action

Residents are invited to find out more about what they can do to support wildlife that depends on ponds.

On Saturday 21st March from 2pm-4pm, Knutsford Town Council is launching its year of action for Frogs and Pondlife. After 2025 focused on pollinators, 2026 will be seeing a programme of activity aiming to encourage residents to create ponds and support the wildlife that depends on them.

The event is being held close to World Frog Day (20th March) which raises awareness about the vital ecological role of frogs and the urgent need to protect them from threats like habitat loss, climate change, and pollution.

Visitors can hear from local ecologists about why garden ponds are the one of the most effective ways to support biodiversity and find out how simple and safe creating a pond in your garden can be.

Two competitions will be launched, a children’s art competition and a Knutsford Ponds competition with the event offering a chance to find out more about how to enter and the prizes on offer.

Knutsford Bake Club are busy this week baking to support the event, so expect some delicious homemade cake. Also on hand will be colouring and crafts, and facepainting for young visitors! The council will also be handing out special ‘pond diaries’ for children to track the progress of their aquatic adventure.

Deputy Town Clerk, Bob Allen said “Our Nature Action Plan is about making Knutsford a sanctuary for wildlife. We’ve seen incredible community engagement with our pollinators last year, and now we want to see the town ‘dive in’ to help our amphibians. Whether you have space for a sunken bucket or a full-scale pond, every pond can foster a host of wildlife”