Most people are familiar with honey bees and bumblebees, but if you look closely, there is so much more than meets the eye.
In fact, Britain is home to over 250 species of ‘solitary bee’.
As the summer draws in and with many of us spending more time in our gardens than ever before, it’s crucial that we continue to provide bees with an environment in which they can thrive, so if you’re looking to do your bit for the bees, then we’ve found a compact solitary bee hive on Amazon and it’s already sitting firmly on the ‘Best Seller’ list.
The Wildlife World Solitary Bee Hive is “an interactive solitary bee and insect box constructed in durable FSC timber, with unique individual cell trays which can be opened for inspection and/or cleaning” and is perfect for any Mancunians looking to encourage bees into their garden this summer.
As many will know, the ‘worker bee’ is one of the best-known symbols of Manchester.
The bee denotes Mancunians’ hard work ethic, the city being a hive of activity, represents a sense of unity and has been an emblem for over 150 years.
Amazon / Wildlife World
According to the product description on Amazon, this “unique solitary beehive” is designed specifically “to attract non-swarming bees like the Red Mason Bee (Osmia rufa) and Leafcutter bees (Megachile spp)”.
If you’re wondering what the difference is, then do note that solitary bees “do not swarm, are gregarious and safe around children and pets” and are naturally attracted to holes in wood, which is why the Wildlife World Solitary Bee Hive is great at providing a habitat that bees love, but one that has become harder and harder to find in modern gardens across the UK.
This bee hive is “fascinating and great for education” as it is designed not only as a habitat, but to be easily dismantled to see the formation of small cells where the eggs are laid, or indeed where predators have been active.”
Attracting solitary bees to your garden this summer is not only safe, but is also beneficial to pollination of flowers, fruit and vegetables too.
Amazon / Wildlife World
It’s retailing on Amazon at £24.45 + postage/packaging and has a multitude of positive 5* reviews from plenty of satisfied customers, so if you’ve been wondering whether it’s worth the buy or not, have a read of a few of those to help make you’re mind up.
It’s also listed as an ‘Amazon’s Choice’ product and is eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
If you’re ready to do your bit and help the bees this summer time, then you can get the Wildlife World Solitary Bee Hive from Amazon here.
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Free books given to all high school and primary school starters in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Tens of thousands of free books have been handed out to children across Manchester as they head back to school.
As part of a scheme set up in 2020 by Read Manchester – a partnership between Manchester City Council and National Literacy Trust – and initially aimed at children leaving primary school to head off to high school, more than 48,000 free books have since been given out to the city’s 11-year-olds within the past four years.
As the scheme proved to be such a success, it was then extended in 2023 to also support four-year-olds going to school for the first time.
21,000 free books have now also been put in the hands of Reception class youngsters in the region since the scheme was extended to include them.
And now, as 2025’s Reception and Year 7 students began heading back to school for the new term this week, more than 15,000 free books were handed out to them too in a bid to get them reading and enjoying books.
15,000 FREE BOOKS were gifted (before the summer holidays) to Manchester children who’ve just started primary school or secondary school this week📚🔖
The scheme also included author visits and teacher resources✍️
The Council also hopes the free books will give children a ‘shared experience’ with their new classmates as they start a new chapter in their lives together at school.
The book gifted to Year 6 pupils leaving their primary school this year was – for the second year running – ‘Quiet Storm’ by local author Kimberly Whittam, who herself works in a Manchester school and was based, in part, on her own experiences as a quiet and sometimes-shy child.
Children starting school for the very first time this year were each given a copy of ‘The One and Only You’ by author Shane Hegarty and illustrator Ben Mantle, which is a heartfelt picture book about celebrating individuality.
Levenshulme High School students distributing free books to year six pupils visiting for transition day, Pictured with book author Kimberly Whittham from Manchester
L-R Zoha and Elyssialp
“Starting school for the first time, or moving up to high school are both huge milestone moments in a child’s life and can be a big deal for children, no matter how confident they usually are,” commented Councillor Julie Reid, who is the Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People at Manchester City Council.
“Our transition read scheme is such a simple idea and yet one that makes a real difference to pupils.
“It helps them interact and engage with their new classmates and teachers, and importantly also helps to really embed and kickstart in all our children and young people a real love of reading that we hope will stay with them throughout their lives.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Local LGBTQIA+ football team Manchester Laces are set to play in the FA Cup for the first time ever
Danny Jones
Inclusive football team Manchester Laces are set to break even more new ground are they prepare to compete in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time ever.
What a truly incredible few years it’s been for the club.
Set to play their maiden match in the female division of the sport’s oldest competition this weekend, Manchester Laces’ Yellows squad will be taking on rival Greater Manchester Women’s Football League (GMWFL) side, Northwich Victoria, in another historic milestone for the local outfit.
Announced last month, the game is now fast approaching, and they’re hoping that plenty of Manc natives will turn up in support.
For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Manchester Laces has grown to become the leading women’s, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ positive sporting bodies in the region.
In fact, as part of a wider family – which includes clubs in Hackney, South London and Limehouse Laces, not to mention players over in Canada too – they’re comfortably one of the biggest in the entire country.
Sticking with MCR Laces alone, founded by Helen Hardy, they have grown so much in reputation and size that they have six different teams besides just the Yellows: the other Manchester squads include the Blues, Greens, Oranges, Purples, as well as the budding new Reds and Blacks.
It’s this kind of impressive expansion and, crucially, representation that has seen them win two Football v Homophobia Awards and Grassroots Initiative of the Year back in 2023.
Side-note: they also happen to have one of our favourite fooy kits of the entire year so far…
Boasting a new regular stadium at Timpson Road and set to take part not only in the North West Women’s Regional Football League (NWWFL)/GMWFL, but now FA Cup and county cup games, 2025 could be their most momentous year yet.
Providing access to countless women and people from within the queer and non-binary community who love the beautiful game and may have otherwise struggled to find an outlet, their work has been crucial in and around Greater Manchester.
With that in mind, taking part in an inaugural run within the prestigious knockout tournament feels like yet another watershed moment for the organisation.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, the club wrote on social media: “In 2021, we started our journey in Div 2 of the GMWFL with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all. After winning consecutive league titles and earning back-to-back promotions, we are now a Tier 6 team.
“Yellows are delighted to be stepping into the magic of the FA Cup for the very first time, and we would love to see you there!
Taking place at both Wythenshawe Town FC’s and the Yellows’ own new home ground of Ericstan Park on Sunday, 7 September (2pm KO), we wish them the best of luck.
Emily Sergeant -
15th June 2020 
