Children at Langenhoe Primary School take endangered bees under their wing

These five were climbing into white suits, putting on headgear and snapping on their yellow rubber gloves, clearly on a mission.

I followed them outside into the playing field and watched them bound with ease over the gate. I followed a little less gracefully.

The children were clearly excited, and when I saw a couple of bee hives, I knew why.

The school in Abberton is one of less than five in the country to run a beekeeping club. The 30,000 bees were sleeping when I visited, but the children were buzzing to show me the hives.

Phoebe Hill, Ella Brundle, Geeno Walklett, Joe Denney and Finlay Williamson make up the club.

They each told me why they loved being involved.

Ella, 11, said: “My favourite thing is watching the bees entering the hive with the pollen as it’s really interesting.

“We check up on them, feed them and keep them healthy.

“I think we are really lucky and it is a great opportunity.”

Joe, 10, was sat next to Ella, leafing through a folder full of information on the bees.

As well as caring for them, one of his favourite parts is the end product.

“I like it when we have to go in the hive and check on the honey, at the end of the year. Last year we all got a pot.

“It’s a really good responsibility and I just want to make the most of it now.”

The club has been running for just over a year. The children had to apply to be in the club and were interviewed for the role.

They are part of a two year programme caring for the bees and learning about them.

Jacqueline Martin is the headteacher, and she jumped at the chance to have the bees when a member of the Essex Beekeepers Association came forward.

“The children are really quite excited about it and are always keen.

“We are being told more and more how important it is for children to get in touch with where their food comes from, and it is beneficial for the children to be able to care for all sorts of animals in our environment.

“It’s been a really invaluable experience,” she said.

The school has the perfect environment for the bees, but Geeno, 11, spoke with fascination about the other hive they care for at the Abberton Nature Reserve in Church Road.

“What I really like is the Canadian hives as you can see the bees making the honey, it’s so amazing.

“When I had my interview for the club, I said how honest I was and how good I am with animals, and I wasn’t scared.”

Both the children and the bees have got used to each other’s company, and it shows in their confidence.

Finlay, nine, and Phoebe, eight, were sat next to each other, talking about how much they love the bees.

“I like it because we have an opportunity to see the bees go to work and it’s really cool how they make the honey,” Finley said.

Phoebe added how her enthusiasm to get involved helped her get over the initial fear.

“I like seeing the bees collecting the pollen. I just love animals and nature and I’m really not afraid.”

Finlay’s dad Alex helps out at the club and is amazed at how enthusiastic the children have been.

We both watched as the group sat huddled around an empty hive, holding up the frames they had made from scratch, which were full of golden wax.

Alex said “I was worried at how the children would react, but they really enjoy it.

“I think it’s the close contact they have with the bees and having an end product.

“I had never been around bees in my life, but it’s quite fascinating.

We are so lucky and the children know that.”

Bill Tamblyn from the Essex Beekeepers’ Association is the man behind the hives.

“It’s been so exciting to watch the children working with the bees, they are completely fearless.

It is wonderfully visual when they take care of them, they know bees are endangered and are very protective of them,”

he said.

With honey bees being under threat, it is a good job the children have taken these bees under their wing.