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Zoe launches Radio 2's Big Bee Challenge

Zoe’s out and about in Rob Beckett's back garden to launch Radio 2's Big Bee Challenge and an exciting new competition for children that's got everyone buzzing with excitement.

Zoe's out of the studio and live from comedian Rob Beckett's back garden to launch Radio 2's Big Bee Challenge.

The Big Bee Challenge is a brand new initiative which shines a light on the plight of our bee population. It launches with a competition for children to design a garden that will attract bees and other pollinating insects, with the winning design being built at an NHS Trust site which is used by children and young people with mental health needs.

To help spread the word, Zoe sends Richie Anderson off around Bromley dressed as a giant bee to cause plenty of mischief and mayhem, while comedian Tom Allen drops by to go up against Rob Beckett in a big bee challenge of their own.

Plus Dr Dave Goulson AKA Dr Bee is on hand for all his wisdom and Zoe catches up with competition judges - CΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ presenter Maddie Moate and award-winning garden designer Adam Frost.

For further inspiration, helpful hints and tips, and to enter, visit www.bbc.co.uk/bigbeechallenge

2 hours, 59 minutes

Last on

Mon 7 Jun 2021 06:30
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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Music Played

  • ABBA

    Honey, Honey

    • Abba.
    • Polydor.

  • Coldplay

    Higher Power

    • Music Of The Spheres.
    • Parlophone.

  • Whitney Houston

    Million Dollar Bill

    • (CD Single).
    • Arista.
    • 1.

  • The Bees

    Chicken Payback

    • (CD Single).
    • Virgin.

  • Lighthouse Family

    Ocean Drive

    • Lighthouse Family - Ocean Drive.
    • Polydor.

  • Bee Gees

    Night Fever

    • Bee Gees - Their Greatest Hits.
    • Polydor.

  • Bebe Rexha

    Meant To Be (feat. Florida Georgia Line)

    • (CD Single).
    • Warner Bros.

  • Laura Mvula

    Got Me

    • Pink Noise.
    • Atlantic.

  • Arthur Askey

    The Bee Song

    • The Childrens Classics Collection.
    • EMI Records Limited.
    • 8.

  • Jennifer Lopez

    Ain't It Funny

    • (CD Single).
    • Epic/Sony.

  • The Kid LAROI & Miley Cyrus

    WITHOUT YOU (Remix)

    • (CD Single).
    • Columbia.

  • Buzzcocks

    Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)

    • Greatest Hits Of The 70's (Various).
    • Disky.

  • Katy Perry

    Electric

    • CD Single.
    • Pokemon.

  • Elton John

    I'm Still Standing

    • Diamonds.
    • Virgin EMI Records.

  • Manic Street Preachers

    Orwellian

    • The Ultra Vivid Lament.
    • Columbia.

  • A Taste of Honey

    Boogie Oogie Oogie

    • Disco Fever 2 (Various Artists).
    • Universal.

  • Tom Jones

    It's Not Unusual

    • Fifty Number Ones Of The 60's (Variou.
    • Global Television.

  • Rihanna

    Only Girl (In The World)

    • Now That's What I Call Music! 77 (Various Artists).
    • Now.

  • Billie Piper

    Honey To The Bee

  • ΄³³ά²ϊΓ«±τ

    Dumb

    • (CD Single).
    • Atlantic.

  • ΅ώ±π²β΄Η²Τ³¦Γ©

    Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

    • I Am.. Sasha Fierce.
    • Music World Music.
    • 1.

  • Wham!

    Club Tropicana

    • The Best Summer Ever (Various Artist.
    • Virgin.

  • P!nk

    All I Know So Far

    • (CD Single).
    • RCA.

Pause For Thought

Pause For Thought

I’ve just got back from a week basking in the Cornish sun on a field outside an old farmhouse. Despite the tranquil surroundings, there was a real buzz - because it was the first time my huge Mancunian family had swarmed together since lockdown.ΜύOver the crackling of campfires we rekindled community spirit, the gentle hum of seaΜύbreeze harmonising with the northern bellows of The Stone Roses on the bluetooth speaker.Μύ

Μύ

Just a couple of weeks ago marked the four-year anniversary of a very different time, where the noise of northern community gave way to a shocked silence. The city of Manchester was reeling from the impact of the arena attack. All buzz was lulled, music muted, and action stopped. But in the midst of the mournful silence Zoe, something significant happened.

Μύ

People - many for the first time - stopped to notice little symbols scattered throughout the city; worker bees, sitting proudly on lampposts and buildings - apparently nods to the city’s industrious - and, at times, difficult - past. The city started with nothing - no real inheritance, no natural resources. As poet Tony Walsh says, β€œthis is a place that’s been through some hard times, oppressions, recessions, depressions and dark times.” But what it did have was people - who were up for working together, through difficulty. From big factories to big families, these old school northerners realised there was power in numbers, and where you have a hive, you have a home.Μύ

Μύ

And so the worker bee was established as the city’s symbol. These little guys, who only come out in the busiest summer months, are individually significant - but together, a kind of superorganism. They emerge after dark and silent winters, together, to create something bigger than themselves. And, today, they represent the hopeful belief that in the face of difficulty, it’s a city’s swarm of people that will always make up its heart.Μύ

Μύ

So, as Mancunians roll up their sleeves this summer, proudly revealing their bee tattoos, I’ll think of the words of St John Chrysostom, who said: β€œthe bee is more honoured than other animals, not because she labours, but because she labours with, and for, others.” And, as summer months kick in in full force and we can swarm back together, I’ll work hard not to place my identity on an individual bubble, but in a much bigger hive.

Broadcast

  • Mon 7 Jun 2021 06:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2