Dobbies garden centre will be hosting a virtual event to celebrate world bee day.

Following on from a successful launch of their #sustainabledobbies campaign, the experts at Dobbies Garden Centres are teaming up with Neal’s Yard Remedies to share top tips on making Carlisle gardens a bee-friendly haven.

Bees are a central element of our eco-system, but with several species now in decline, it’s more important than ever that we all play our part to support the pollinators, and World Bee Day serves as a timely reminder to celebrate their significance in our daily lives.

The virtual event will start at 7pm on May 20 and will be hosted by Tipper Lewis, Brand Ambassador for Neal’s Yard Remedies.

Tipper will provide attendees with top tips on the best blooms for bees, and share advice on how to maximise a garden’s pollen power, so that everyone can play their part in creating a sanctuary for bees in their gardens this summer.

Tipper will also introduce guests to Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Bee Lovely product range, which is lovingly crafted with ingredients such as honey and beeswax.

Every purchase from the Bee Lovely collection helps to support bees across the world, with a percentage of each purchase donated to bee-friendly charities.

Some lucky attendees will also be given the chance to experience the range for themselves too, with the opportunity to win one of five Bee Lovely ‘Head to Toe’ gift sets during the event.

Alongside this, Tipper will be on hand to answer any questions viewers may have, including advice on the best blooms and bushes to plant to attract bees, and how to ensure that gardening techniques are sustainable and bee-friendly at every turn.

Tipper Lewis, said: “Bees are hugely vital to so many things in our daily lives, from the food we eat to the flowers in our gardens and even the skincare we use.

"The team at Neal’s Yard Remedies and I are very excited to share our knowledge, passion and love for bees of all kinds with Dobbies’ Carlisle customers, and we hope they’ll enjoy learning more about them as we celebrate World Bee Day.”

The Neal’s Yard Remedies expert event is part of a series of free virtual events that Dobbies is hosting this Spring.

Following a successful programme of Facebook Live sessions in 2020, they provide a virtual alternative to regular events usually hosted instore.

Further events have already been announced for the coming weeks, including a virtual event on roses, Britain’s favourite flower, hosted by Dobbies’ Horticulture Director, Marcus Eyles.

Advance booking is essential for the virtual events, which are hosted on Microsoft Teams, making it quick and simple for viewers to log on and join in the event from the comfort of their homes.

The sessions are free of charge and exclusively available to Dobbies Club members.

For those who aren’t yet members of Dobbies Club, membership is free and signing up is quick and simple, giving access to a variety of benefits, special offers and exclusive events.

To sign up visit dobbies.com and to sign up for the virtual event visit: https://www.dobbies.com/content/events.html