Before we dive into the details of nesting sites, let's understand why solitary bees are so crucial. Unlike honeybees, solitary bees do not live in colonies. They are responsible for pollinating a significant portion of our food crops and wildflowers. By providing a nesting site, you can attract these bees to your garden and contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem.
A nesting site is a specially designed structure that provides solitary bees with a safe place to lay their eggs and raise their young. These sites often consist of small tubes or holes where the bees can create individual chambers for their offspring. The nesting site protects the eggs and larvae from predators and harsh weather conditions, ensuring their survival.
Now that you understand the importance of nesting sites, let's explore how you can create a welcoming environment for solitary bees in your garden:
Place your nesting site in a sunny spot that is sheltered from strong winds. Solitary bees prefer warm and dry conditions, so make sure the site is not exposed to excessive moisture.
Offer a range of materials for the bees to choose from, such as bamboo tubes, concrete Bee Bricks, hollow reeds, or drilled wooden blocks. Different species of solitary bees have different preferences, so providing a variety of options will attract a diverse group of pollinators.
Plant a variety of native flowers and flowering herbs to provide a consistent source of nectar and pollen. Avoid using pesticides and herbicides, as they can be harmful to bees and other beneficial insects.
Now, let's talk about the Bee Brick®, a revolutionary nesting site that combines functionality with aesthetic appeal. The Bee Brick® is a beautifully designed concrete block with cast holes that provide a safe haven for solitary bees. Its sleek and modern design makes it a perfect addition to any garden or outdoor space.
By purchasing the Bee Brick®, you not only support the bee population but also add a unique and stylish element to your garden. Help create a sustainable future for solitary bees by getting your own Bee Brick® today!
Get your Bee Brick® now and make a difference in the lives of solitary bees!
]]>This year Solitary Bee Week finds it's new home within the Buglife family, the perfect people to spread awareness of ALL the bees, the people whose very mission is to save the small things that run the planet!
Solitary Bee Week was started by Green&Blue back in 2018 after we realised that when people spoke about bees they thought only of honeybees and bumblebees, but actually over 90% of bee species in the UK are solitary bees, we knew it was time for them to have the spotlight!
Solitary Bee Week 2023 runs from the 3rd to the 9th July and within the week you can learn, love and share our wonderful solitary bees! You can make a pledge to earn your stripes and bee more friendly (!) or you can wear your stripes and spread the word with us on social media. Even telling 2 people you know about solitary bees can make a difference so let's all spread the word and bee aware.
Making space for nature is one of the best ways to show your love for Solitary Bee Week 2023. Can you buy or build a bee house and give the bees a safe place to nest in your garden. Check out the Green&Blue Bee Brick for a simple and stylish way to make space for the bees in your garden. Or leave a patch of bare earth for the mining bees to nest it, with over 70% of solitary bee species being part of the mining bee family this is a great way to make a difference.
Head over to Buglife to get involved in this years campaign and spread the word, for the solitary bees!
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Broken: Mending and Repair in a Throwaway World is the sixth book by award-winning craft and sustainability writer Katie Treggiden, with a foreword by The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades.
Tackling the topic of repair, Treggiden explores the societal, cultural and environmental role that repair plays through five in-depth essays, before celebrating and profiling 25 artists, curators, menders and re-makers who have rejected the allure of the fast, disposable and easy in favour of the patina of use, the stories of age and the longevity of care and repair.
‘We live in a single-use society, where fashion is fast, disposability is the norm and it is easier to replace than to repair. We don't need to mend things anymore – and yet we do. What is it about Homo faber – man the maker – that cannot resist fixing what is broken? This book explores that question, at a time when an enquiry into what mending means has never been more urgent.’ – Katie Treggiden, Broken: Mending and Repair in a Throwaway World.
Treggiden’s introduction to the book provides an accessible, knowledgeable and fresh perspective on the topic of repair, connecting the personal to the systemic, calling for change and providing context for what follows.
The book explores the different roles and reasons for mending in a world where it is often easier to replace. While the restoration of function is naturally one of them, the objects featured are rarely mended solely for pragmatic reasons, shows repair as a form of activism; repair as a medium for storytelling; and repair as path to healing, both personally and at a community level. The last chapter examines the sustainable issue behind repair and the need to repair the natural systems humanity has taken from, exploring regeneration as a form of repair.
Amongst those profiled is Green&Blue’s Co-founder and judge of the Dezeen Sustainability Awards Category 2022, Gavin, whose mission for designing with real purpose has been at the heart of everything Green&Blue does;
‘We wanted to design for the unspoken client, for something bigger that doesn’t necessarily have its own voice,’ says Christman. ‘When you set those sort of parameters, you know that you can’t mess it up – this is really quite important.’ - Gavin Christman, Green&Blue
This is a book that asks us not only to mend the things we own, but also to take to task what is broken in our culture, systems and society. It is only by acknowledging this damage that we can construct new orders; to tell new and better stories.
Broken: Mending and Repair in a Throwaway World asks us to remain hopeful that a better world is possible and then work every day to make it so.
You can preorder the book here
This year we are celebrating 18 years of business, a significant milestone. Throughout these years, our purpose, to make homes havens for wildlife, has become clearer, and our determination to address the state of nature in the UK has grown. Recognising both this urgency and the increasing demand for our range, we are thrilled to announce that Green&Blue is joining the Wildcare family. With their experience and resources, we believe they are best positioned to support the Green&Blue range and its contribution to creating more space for nature in the future.
Wildcare is a long-standing customer and passionate supporter of our work. Specialising in ecology, they understand the impact our products can have on the built environment and appreciate the values and brand we have established.
As part of this transition, production will be relocated to Wildcare's headquarters in Longborough, Gloucestershire. Consequently, our doors in Perranporth will be closing at the end of May. Some of the team will be working with Wildcare for a period of time to assist in a smooth transition and to continue to support our community. We firmly believe that this decision will provide our products with the best opportunity to fulfil their purpose and make a meaningful contribution to our planet and it's exciting to see where the future takes things.
Thank you for being a part of our journey and for your ongoing support,
The team at Green&Blue
Q&A
What does this actually mean?
Green&Blue has been brought by Wildcare and will become a part of the Wildcare family from Friday 26th May.
What does this mean for me? Can I still order?
If you are a wholesale shop or gallery or one of our commercial, build customers then you can still place orders with us now however the lead time will be longer than usual, 6-8 weeks potentially though we will do our best to improve on this.
What if I'd like to place an order on the website?
We will be taking online orders on the website until Monday 15th May. After this date orders placed will be subject to a longer dispatch time than normal whilst operations transfer to Gloucestershire.
Will the range still be made in the UK?
Yes. Production is moving to Gloucestershire and the ceramics range will continue to be made for Green&Blue in Stoke on Trent, working with the same suppliers we've worked with for the last 18 years!
Will the habitat range of products like Bee Brick still be made using recycled aggregate?
Absolutely. The first delivery of the recycled china clay waste we use to make the Green&Blue range of nesting products for wildlife is winging it's way up to Gloucestershire as we type!
What will happen to my data?
Wildcare will become the controller of any data we hold and is 100% committed to protecting your privacy and security. Your data will only be used in relation to Green&Blue updates however if you would like to opt-out you can drop us a line to info@greenandblue.co.uk
How do I get in touch with you?
For now, all contact details will remain the same, we'll let you know should this change. For now you can call us on 01872 858658 or email us to info@greenandblue.co.uk.
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We're celebrating the May bank holiday weekend, despite the fact that it's cold and it's wet and it doesn't feel very spring like!
We're offering 3 imperfect products for the price of 2 this May bank holiday weekend, it's our opportunity to offer you a treat and to make more space for nature all in one. And to celebrate that fact that some time soon, surely, it's going to get warm!!
You don't need to enter any code at checkout just add three products (or more) from the imperfect range to your cart and the system should do the rest. This offer is valid until Tuesday 2nd May, whilst stocks last.
A treat for you and a treat for nature.
]]>As we continue to develop new housing estates and developments, it's essential that we take steps to protect and enhance the natural environment. One way to do this is by installing swift boxes and Swift Blocks on buildings to provide habitat for these birds. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to ensure that developers are following through on their commitments to install these boxes. That's where individuals can step in and take action to ensure swift boxes are being installed as required.
Swifts are migratory birds that spend the summer months in the UK to breed and nest. However, their natural nesting sites, such as crevices in old buildings and hollow trees, are becoming increasingly scarce due to modern building practices. This is where swift boxes come in. Swift boxes are specially designed structures that mimic the birds' natural nesting sites, providing a safe and secure place for them to breed.
Installing swift blocks and swift lofts is essential because these birds play an important role in the ecosystem. They feed on insects, including mosquitoes, and help to control their populations, as well as forming a part of the food chain themselves. The sight of screeching swifts filling our skies goes hand in hand with our belief that summer has, at last, arrived.
A Green&Blue SwiftBlock installed in a new build.
As an individual, there are several things you can do to help ensure swift boxes are being installed on new housing estates and developments.
Check planning permissions - Before any new development takes place, it must receive planning permission. Check the conditions of the permission and see if there are any requirements for swift boxes to be installed. If there are, keep an eye out during the construction phase to ensure they are being installed correctly.
Contact the developer - If you're concerned that swift boxes are not being installed as required, contact the developer responsible for the project. Ask them about their plans for swift boxes and when they will be installed. If they're not responsive, you can also contact the local planning authority or wildlife conservation groups for support.
Get involved in local conservation groups - Joining a local conservation group can be an effective way to get involved in monitoring swift boxes and other environmental initiatives in your area. These groups often work closely with developers to ensure that environmental concerns are taken into account.
Install swift boxes yourself - If you're a homeowner, consider installing swift boxes on your property. You can purchase pre-made boxes like the Green&Blue SwiftBlock or SwiftLoft or you can build them yourself using instructions provided by conservation groups, the RSPB has some great guides, or Swift Conservation or the other swift groups up and down the country. Installing swift boxes on your property not only provides a safe place for swifts to breed but also helps to increase their overall population.
Swift boxes are an essential tool in preserving the natural environment and protecting the biodiversity of our communities. While it's the responsibility of developers to install these boxes, individuals can play a crucial role in ensuring they are being installed correctly. By checking planning permissions, contacting developers, joining local conservation groups, and even installing boxes on your own property, you can help to create more habitat for these beautiful birds. Let's all do our part to protect the natural world around us.
]]>At this time of year we all start to think about our gardens a little more, as tulips burst into flower, bees begin to buzz and the dawn chorus becomes a more raucous racket!
And because, here at Green&Blue, we believe that consideration for nature should be at the forefront of any garden we thought we'd offer you free delivery this weekend on the website, helping you to make more space for nature, for less!
Use code 'shipfree' on the website this weekend for free standard delivery (3-7 working days).*
Happy shopping and making lots of lovely space for nature.
*Small print.
Mainland UK only. Minimum spend of £20. Offer ends on Monday 27th March at 11.59pm.
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James added a range of wildlife nesting and roosting spaces to his home and is really seeing the rewards for his wildlife neighbours of moving them in!
In a different world, this would have been a house that was closed to nature, a lost space for wildlife. With a few simple additions, James has created habitat for different species, and made his home a haven for wildlife.
In the Twitter comments, James says he is on his fourth consecutive year of bluetits nesting and of the Bee Brick being occupied. He hasn't yet managed to confirm bats roosting but this is trickier to identify - and should they need it, the space is there.
What a joy to see, and an inspiration to anyone considering building work. We can live alongside nature rather than against.
Here’s the link to the Tweet and comments!
https://twitter.com/jamesgilbertmr/status/1636688125165547521?s=20
Read the blog: Consideration for all wildlife within construction
More info about installing Bee Bricks:
How to attract bees to your garden
Make a hibernation or nursery Bat Roost
Find products to help our declining bird populations here
Solutions for Nesting Birds are here
Connect gardens and wild spaces for hedgehogs by linking them up here
]]>If you fancy getting your paws on a Birds and the Bees bundle worth over £300, including a cedarwood bird box, a wifi camera and five Bee Bricks, then follow the instructions below and help invite nature into your garden this spring.
There are two routes to enter and win, you can head to instagram via the link below and tag a friend in the comments to enter and you can also enter via email, great for those who don't have instagram.
Enter via Instagram here (look for the image above)
Good luck! UK entries only, entries close Monday 27th March. Winners will be contacted directly, please ignore any messages coming from anybody but Green&Blue and Green Feathers and note the only details we will ask for are your address details for your prize to be sent.
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How Green&Blue have been a B Corp for five years (and counting!) with Faye Treffry (episode 428)
]]>In celebration of B Corp month (March 23) we were delighted to be invited to chat to Chloe Thomas of eCommerce Masterplan about how we've been certified now for 5 years, about what that means, how we certified, advice for anyone considering starting their B Corp journey, and about producing our first impact report.
Chloe Thomas is a great advocate of the B Corp movement and community and uses her platform to educate and inspire businesses working within the eCommerce world to consider their impact on the world and to consider a commitment towards net zero, to take their responsibility to people and planet seriously. We're big fans of Chloe's podcast and were delighted to have the opportunity to join in the conversation, and hopefully inspire a few others to make a stronger commitment to protecting the planet with their businesses.
You can hear the interview in full via the link here and if it raises any questions for you then please don't hesitate to drop us a line either via the comments below or via email to info@greenandblue.co.uk or on the phone on 01872 858658.
You can also view our new impact report, just released and as discussed in this podcast, via this link and we'd love to know what you think of the report.
]]>We're on a mission to help you nurture your mother figure, nature and yourself this Mother’s day, giving you free gifts to help make more space for nature.
Simply buy a BeePot for the mother figure in your life and get a Perfectly Imperfect BeePot Mini free in white for absolutely free.
Or choose a BeePot Mini in any colour like and get a Perfectly Imperfect Small Bee Block in white for free, one for a gift, one for you!!
What’s the deal?
All you have to do is choose what you'd like and add the products to your shopping cart, for example the beepot and the imperfect beepot mini, and the wonders of technology will reduce the price of the imperfect product to absolutely zero!!
The small print!
Offer is only valid until 13th March.
The imperfect free gifts are valid on white/natural concrete only, if you add a coloured imperfect product the discount will not be applied.
While stocks last.
Standard delivery charges apply.
Perfectly Imperfect products are ‘slight seconds’ which don’t meet our usual production standards and so you might find an air bubble in a place we didn’t plan it, or a small flaw - but they still make bee-autiful habitats that bees will be very happy with!
A big thank you to Green&Blue for asking Tradesman Saver to guest write this blog. We’re impressed with the amazing work the team has been doing to reconnect us with nature.
What follows are three steps tradespeople can take to improve sustainability and safety on site.
1. Construction and Biodiversity
In 2020, Brighton and Hove became the first council to make Bee Bricks compulsory in new builds and extensions. Since the changes, over 100 councillors across the UK have expressed interest in making Bee Bricks part of their building policy.
Construction has a huge impact on the natural world, and every effort should be made to reduce disruption. Start by reviewing access to the site. This is less of an issue for larger towns and cities, but villages often have narrow roads. If you need to get materials to your client, make sure trucks and vans avoid damaging trees, bushes, and walls.
On larger builds, the earlier you plan the better. Hiring an expert ecologist to survey the area before ground is broken is a crucial starting point and will help avoid delays during the project.
The ecologist will identify species that could be negatively effected by construction, as well as any legally protected species, in the area. They will also suggest the best time of year to begin work. Some species, such as birds and reptiles, are seasonal, which means starting the build in the wrong month will impact life cycles.
And don’t forget to include Bee Bricks, Bat Blocks, and integrated bird nests into the project. This will add balance and offer a home to wildlife that is crucial to our environment.
2. Material management
The call for building materials with a low environmental impact has never been stronger. Traditional construction materials often go through a rigorous production process and once used, have a lasting impact on the environment. But this is changing.
Innovation has pushed boundaries and, in some instances, improved the material’s longevity.
When you’re purchasing materials for your build, it pays to research what alternatives are available. Materials such as clay bricks, natural stone, and green cement are recommended and are just as robust as traditional materials.
It’s also important to consider how the materials are sourced. Bamboo is a great green alternative, but it’s not native to the UK. And the carbon cost to ship supplies from Asia outweighs the material’s benefit.
If you can, seek out local suppliers to minimise the packing and transportation footprint. You’ll also be supporting the local community.
You should also working with contractors and supply chains that have demonstrated their support for the environment. Pay attention to companies that have be accredited with an EMAS certificate . This accreditation proves that the firm has taken steps to protect biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions.
When on site it’s also important to:
Store hazardous goods correctly and restrict access to site out of hours
Use skips for their intended purpose and organise waste by type
Use trading apps such as Sustainability Yard to purchase materials, giveaway or sell materials you haven’t used.
3. Safety on site (insurance)
Building sites are chaotic, and it only takes a second for something to go wrong. Trips and falls are common and can lead to serious injuries. Lifting, heaving, twisting, and the weather can take their toll on the body and cause prolonged musculoskeletal issues.
To minimise risk:
Make sure health and safety checks have been carried out on site before work begins.
Check tools and equipment operate correctly, and that the user has gone through
adequate training.
Wear the correct PPE and check it meets current regulation.
Support each other. If you’re carrying a hod of bricks, have someone spot you. Don’t lift heavy machinery on your own, and remind colleagues to take assigned breaks.
Damage to your clients property is also common. Accidents could add repair costs to your budget, and in a worst case scenario, see you facing a claim. Fees and legal costs often run into tens of thousands of pounds. And without safeguards in place, small firms and sole traders will cover the cost.
It’s highly recommended to protect your business and staff with public liability insurance. This will protect you, your staff, and the clients you work with when accidents occur.
With thoughtful planning, responsibly sourced materials, and regular safety checks on site, construction can be safe and add balance to the environment.
Thank for reading,
Tradesman Saver
Love is in the air! We're offering a free upgrade to Express delivery on all orders placed before 12.00noon on Thursday 9th February*
]]>Have you heard the chorus of excited lovebirds? We're offering an upgrade to EXPRESS SHIPPING* on all orders placed before until 12.00 noon Thursday 9th February so that you can give a gift to someone you love in time for Valentine's Day!
There's no need to do anything, simply place your order before the cut off point and we'll pack it with love and upgrade it to express, saving you £4.00.
*Limited time offer available on all standard delivery items, excluding made-to-order items such as BeePosts. Offer ends at 12.00 noon on 9/2/23
]]>...help birds to thrive by putting up and caring for Bird Nesting boxes!
We’re looking forward to National Nest Box Week starting on 14th February as for us it means that the birds are ready to cosy up together and we’ll soon see some fledglings around!
After several years of talking to experts and making the best of the best bird nest boxes (of course!), we’ve got our top advice together to help you to choose, install and maintain bird boxes and to help you to support National Nest Box week with us, so read on and swot up!
Why we need to help our garden birds by providing nest boxes
More than 40 million birds have vanished from the UK in the last 50 years, including many of our much loved woodland birds. Changes from old farm buildings to modern ones has led to a loss of nesting sites, habitat diversity has reduced and farm chemicals - fertilisers and pesticide use has increased. With 80% of the country as farmland, this represents a lack of natural habitat for birds to call home.
What birds use nest boxes?
More than 60 species of birds are known to use nest boxes! That means you can help a wide range of birds in your area to thrive including Nuthatches, Tree sparrows, Redstarts, Swifts, Swallows..
Why should you provide bird nesting boxes in your garden
The changes of the past 5 decades affect birds in suburban and urban areas too. Loss of hedgerows and natural lawns, increases in artificial gardens through the use of decking, tarmac, gravel and artificial grass have reduced habitats and food sources, and an increase in traffic has increased the risk of birds being killed.
And so it’s no surprise that as well as feeding the birds in winter and year round, that providing a nest box for them can greatly help to improve the chances of success for raising their young
What makes a good bird nesting box
Birds need a warm, clean dry and well insulated space in which to raise their young and have successful broods. The type of nest box needs to provide safety from predators like weasels and the features that they look for if they are to choose a nesting site in the wild. If the box you are planning to use has a secure door for cleaning access, make sure it’s robust and snugly fitting like the ones on our bird nesting boxes. Boxes that use woodcrete or concrete make for good hygiene and won’t rot or need chemicals and preservatives.
How to choose the right nesting box for your garden
The type of nesting box depends on the height that you can hang it, aspect and which types of birds you want to cater for in your garden. If you’re looking to cater for Bluetits and Coaltits, then you need a box with a 25mm diameter hole such as this Birdball or Birdblock. If slightly larger birds such as House sparrows are present in your trees and hedges, then they need a slightly different entrance hole. Choosing a nesting box without a perch will help to keep the birds safe from predators
Where to place your bird nest box
You can place bird nest boxes in trees, on walls and fences and on buildings, some can even be integrated into your build such as Swift Nesting Boxes, Sparrow Nest boxes and Bird boxes. Some birds perform better in colonies such as swifts, and so you can install rows of Swift Lofts at height within the fascia/ soffit gap.
Which direction should a bird nesting box face
Bird nest boxes for garden birds such as the Green&Blue BirdBlock need to be placed 2 metres off the ground, north or east facing, in a quiet spot away from doors, windows and vents. They can be placed under the eaves of a building for shelter, but away from predator access (such as in close proximity to fences or garage rooves, for example). Sparrow nesting boxes need to be placed facing north or east but at least 3m (10ft) from the ground. If you are looking to house swifts, their nesting blocks and boxes should be installed above 5m and on a side that gets shade during the day, and with clear flight access.
It’s important that your bird house isn’t in direct sunlight where it can get overheated in hotter weather
How to attract birds to your nest box
Siting your nest box in a quiet spot within bushes and trees and in the cover of foliage gives them shelter and shade and will help the young to take their first flight. If you provide them with materials to help build their nests such as dog hair, wool and have sticks in the proximity of the nestbox it will help them to make their nest easily. You can hang suitable materials in a Birdball Belle feeder
Should you clean a nest box?
Cleaning nest boxes should only be done for certain species. Swift boxes need to be placed high up and are protected so their nests shouldn’t be touched, however if you have a sparrow nest box, the RSPB recommends that it should be cleaned at the end fo the nesting season. And birdblocks for Bluetits and Coaltits can only be cleaned between September and January after the end of the nesting season. If you have a query about specific species, take a look at the RSPB’s website for further information. Do not open a bird nesting box during nesting season between February and August, as this might make the birds abandon their young
How closely can you put nest boxes to one another?
You can use more than one bird nesting box on a wall, small garden birds such as Bluetits will breed next to one another and House sparrows will nest in loose colonies so two or three boxes can be sited spaced out on the same side of a house, although you should try to avoid placing them in areas where Housemartins usually rest. Swifts also will nest in colonies and so you can create multiple nesting provisions.
How to position a nest box when you have bird feeders
Birds won’t nest in areas that are noisy and have a lot of other bird activity happening so if you have a bird feeding area, place your nesting box away from it so that the nesting birds don't feel the competition, feel the need to defend their territory and can have a little quiet with their young!
Our final rewards competition this January sees us partnering with the wonderful James Strawbridge to bring a prize bundle for two lucky winners and for nature, for the birds and the bees!
In celebration of the Big Garden Birdwatch you can win a duo of beautiful Green&Blue birdfeeders by entering our competition below.
And that's not the only way to win! You can also head over to Instagram to find our post with James Strawbridge there and follow the instructions to win four Bee Bricks, buzzing!
Find James over on Instagram here to enter.
So, two chances to win, two lucky people! We hope you enjoy our final January rewards competition - and we also can't wait to hear what you spot in the Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend.
Once you've entered why not comment down below and let us know what you're hoping to win.
Terms.
Two winners to be chosen. Competition launches on Thursday 26th January and runs until Tuesday 31st January. Running on Instagram and via email. No cash alternative. Winners to be chosen at random by Green&Blue. Over 16's only. UK only. By entering the competition you agree to receiving emails from Green&Blue, all emails include links to unsubscribe should you wish. Our competition is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Instagram. We do not own any other Instagram accounts, so if you are messaged notifying you that you are the winner on any other account before the closing date, then this is fraudulent. Duo of birdfeeders are x1 seed feeder and x1 belle feeder in your choice of colour. Bee Brick prize is x 4, 1 in each colourway we make. ]]>Our famous Perfectly Imperfect sale has landed for one week only to give you our last and final January reward!
We have a couple of Beeposts, Bat Blocks, Swift Blocks, a small number of bird feeders, plus a range of bee habitats - but when they’re gone, they’re gone!
If you’re familiar with our annual Perfectly Imperfect sale you’ll know that we like to test the material we work with and the challenges we task it with can lead to minor defects like air bubbles where we hadn’t planned them, or edges that don’t measure up against our very strict rulers. But these small blemishes give these reduced price products extra charm and personality and they are still beautiful habitats to house our wildlife perfectly!
*reward discounts apply to all full priced stock but can not be used on gift vouchers, charitable donations or Perfectly Imperfect products
]]>Win a mega prize bundle with Micro Scooters and Green&Blue!
Here’s the latest of our rewards this January which not only gives you rewards for getting closer to wildlife, but also helps to clean the seas too!
]]>Here’s the latest of our rewards this January which not only gives you rewards for getting closer to wildlife, but also helps to clean the seas too!
To support our reward not reduce campaign we have paired up with fellow B Corp certified friends at Micro Scooters for the chance to win an eco bundle from their sustainable range of scooters. The iconic Mini Micro Deluxe eco scooter has a deck made from recycled fishing nets and the matching accessories are made from rPet, recycled polyester yarn created from plastic bottles that pollute our oceans.
But not only that! We’re also giving away a trio of our bird feeders in the colour of your choice so that you can make your garden a haven for our wild birds, supporting life in the air as well as that in the sea!
The prize bundle worth over £300 includes:
To enter the competition head over to Instagram;
Competition opens at 7pm 19th January 2023 and closes midnight Tuesday 24th January 2023
Win on Instagram
Competition Terms and Conditions
Full Terms from Micro Scooters to be found here: https://blog.micro-scooters.co.uk/blogs/news/competition-terms-and-conditions
]]>Who's getting excited for the Big Garden Birdwatch? The 2023 Birdwatch takes place from the 27th to the 29th January, and the Green&Blue team are poised and ready!
If you've not taken part before then believe us, you should!! The Birdwatch is organised by the RSPB, and is fun, free and for everyone. It's a super way to get wowed by your local wildlife and to really see who's visiting your garden or local green space. So beginners, experts, Green&Blue team and all those somewhere in the middle, get involved and get out to count the birds!
Simply sign up over on the RSPB website and commit to spending an hour between 27 and 29 January 2023, counting the birds you see in that time. Each year thousands of people get involved and become citizen scientists for an hour. The data collected is used by the RSPB to monitor how bird species are faring in the face of the nature and climate crisis we are in, and as if that wasn't reason enough it really is a wonderful opportunity to get closer to nature and to engage children, friends and families in something they may not normally take the time to enjoy.
If you need to make sure your garden is Big Garden Birdwatch ready then head to the Green&Blue website and order your birdfeeders and birdfood today (!) - a Birdwatch is even more fun when your birdfeeders are beautiful!
Shop the Green&Blue birdfeeders here
Still establishing feeding on your new birdfeeders? You can check out our tips on the website here.
And, you can sign up to the Big Garden Birdwatch with the RSPB right here.
If you've signed up and are looking forward to it then do let us know. Leave a comment on the blog here, drop us a line on social or an email to info@greenandblue.co.uk - we love to hear about your birdwatching times!
]]>We're very happy to be working with one of our favourite instagrammers to bring one lucky winner a nature loving prize this January.
Rob Smith is a garden writer and presenter but above all, Rob is a gardener, and a pretty inspiring one at that! We love following his feed for beautiful shots of his kitchen garden, inspiration about when to plant, how to pickle and how to make preserves, amongst so many other garden tips. His beautiful garden has been featured on This Morning and if you still think he looks familiar from somewhere else, you may have spotted him when he won 'The Big Allotment' challenge a few years back.
It's our great pleasure to bring you the opportunity to win a SparrowBlock nest box from the Green&Blue range, in partnership with Rob.
For all the info, you just have to head to Robsallotment over on Instagram and find the image below, then check out the steps to enter. And this is a double win because you get to follow Rob on instagram (If you don't already) whilst also being in with the chance of winning a SparrowBlock. Does it get any more rewarding than that?!
This competition opens on Thursday 12th January and runs till Tuesday 17th January and is on Instagram only.
Keep an eye out for more chances to be rewarded with us this January when we work together to make more space for nature.
]]>Danny is a welsh gardener with a big smile (!) and a passion for growing and we were delighted to send him a few products from the Green&Blue range recently to help him make his growing area even more of a haven for wildlife, sitting alongside his nature pond and wild spaces.
You can check out Danny's YouTube channel for regular videos and updates on progress and you can also find him on Instagram and Facebook.
Danny is installing a wall mounted Birdball birdhouse in the clip shared above and the BirdBlock nest box, which looks just fab on his plot. Both these birdhouses are perfect for smaller garden birds like bluetits which Danny says have been fewer in numbers recently, we hope that the birdhouses will support more returning to the area.
Later in the spring Danny will also be finding homes for a couple of Green&Blue Bee Bricks and Blocks on the plot, making space for the solitary bees.
We're really looking forward to keeping up with Danny's progress and learning more as we go. Gardening is a brilliant way to connect with nature and with the outdoors, to be more aware of the seasons and, perhaps, to eat delicious food grown by your own fair hands!
]]>And, there's so many people we'd like to wish a Happy Christmas to that the environmental impact would be too big so instead, we have made a donation to St Petrocs who are working to end homelessness in Cornwall, because they believe every person has a right to a safe and secure home.
Established in 1986 in response to people sleeping rough in Truro, the team at St Petrocs have been working hard ever since to end homelessness in Cornwall.
We have a complex housing problem here in Cornwall with a shortage of affordable homes and with local people often being priced out of areas as holiday lets and second homes take over. In addition to this the increase in online holiday lettings has changed the rental market meaning there are less affordable tenancies for local people. High living costs and low incomes mean that a sudden increase in pressure on a household, like losing work or rising fuel bills, can push people into homelessness.
2022 has seen an increased demand on St Petrocs services, with the number of people accessing these services the highest it's ever been. This is why they have launched their Winter appeal 2022-23. In October they worked with 119 people sleeping rough in Cornwall, the highest number the team have ever worked with in a single month. And with the extreme rain we experienced in November followed by the cold we all felt in December, these pressures are only going to increase on St Petrocs resources and ability to help. They estimate they are currently working with 550 people in Cornwall.
Every donation, no matter how big or small, can make a difference so if you can help then do head over to the St Petrocs website to make your donation. Or there are lots of others ways to support the charity. Could you organise a fundraiser? Get sponsored to take on a challenge in 2023? Give up your time and do some volunteering? There are all sorts of ways to make a difference and we're pleased to be able to support the winter appeal this year and to support St Petrocs in the work they do.
Find out how to get involved here
And finally, we really should say, a very Happy Christmas to you all. Our heartfelt thank you's to everybody who has supported Green&Blue in 2022 and helped our mission to make homes havens for wildlife, we've had a blast and now we can't wait for a little break, to recharge and reignite, ready to reconnect more people with nature in 2023!
A Happy Christmas, and a jolly new year, from all the team* xx
*Missing from the photos are Kate, Liz and Tarka!
]]>Here’s a last minute opportunity to win in our final giveaway of the year!
Earlier in the week we gave away 4 Bee Bricks on Instagram and this weekend we thought we’d be super generous and repeat the offer!
]]>Earlier in the week we gave away 4 Bee Bricks on Instagram and this weekend we thought we’d be super generous and repeat the offer!
We’re giving away another set of 4 Bee Bricks, one in each colour, to help you to provide homes for bees in your garden as a Christmas gift from us! You can choose to keep the bricks or gift them onwards.
The offer is limited to 1 prize and is worth £128.
How to take part
Fill out the form below from now until Monday 19th December at 9am and (providing we hear back from you!) we’ll get your prize out with Monday’s dispatches before we close up for Christmas, sent via our upgraded Express delivery*
*This delivery will be subject to any potential courier issues, and whether you respond to us in time on Monday - but rest assured we’ll do what we can to get it there as quickly as possible!
In the meantime, you can shop for bee houses here.
Terms
Entries must be made between 19.00 on 15.12.22 and 09.00 on Monday 19.12.22 (the “Prize Draw Period”) to be valid. Prize is four Bee Bricks, one in each colour. Giveaway is UK only. One entry per person. Winner to be chosen on Monday 19th December and contacted directly via email.
This giveaway is not affiliated with any social media platforms.
Winner will be drawn using a random name selector tool on 19.12.2022 and contacted on the email address used to enter.
Not open to staff and affiliates of Green&Blue.
NB if you want to re-access the pop-up form after it has closed on the website, please clear cookies and refresh your browser, or use a different browser.
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🐝🐝✨WIN ONE OF EACH COLOUR BEE BRICK!✨🐝🐝
Just in time for Christmas! we’re giving away a set of 4 of our award winning Bee Bricks, one in each colour!
Want to be in with a chance to win?
1. “Like” the post on Instagram
2. Follow us @greenandblueUK
3. Tag a friend who loves bees in the comments
Terms:
Entries must be made between 19.00 (BST) on 13.12.22 and 09.00 (BST) on 15.12.22 (the “Prize Draw Period”) to be valid. Prize is 4 Bee Bricks, one of ach of our colours. Giveaway is UK only. Winner to be announced in the caption and contacted directly via DM.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram
Winner will be drawn using a random name selector tool on 15.12.2022. We will contact the winner by DM on Instagram.
Not open to staff and affiliates of Green&Blue
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•Mainland UK only - Highlands and Islands not guaranteed but we'll go as quickly as possible!
We're using DPD for all deliveries and with the mix of snow and ice and royal mail strikes we know that nothing can be guaranteed. We'll do our best to get your order packed and shipped on a next day basis and then we have to hope that the couriers can do their part as quickly as possible.
We recommend ordering as early as possible to allow time for any delays.
LAST ORDER DATE FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY IS MONDAY 19th DECEMBER.
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We know you’ll find beautiful paper and wrapping solutions for making your carefully chosen gifts look good under the tree, but did you know you can cut out some of the packaging that comes with our gifts by ticking a quick box on our website?
We thought we’d better explain what we meant by ‘packaging free’ in case you had visions of a Bee Brick turning up with a stamp on it!
When you tick ‘packaging free’ we send your bee houses out in just the outer shipping carton, heavily padded with our Shred recycled cardboard wadding to keep every item in perfect condition. We offer packaging free on all of our bee products (and the Bees Block comes simply wrapped in an unprinted cardboard sleeve
Because the bird feeders are ceramic, they will still arrive in the retail display box, inside the outer carton.
We’re on a mission to be as minimal as possible with our impact in the planet, there is very little waste from what we do but we’re aware that although we use a carbon balanced printer to print our wraps, after they have arrived, they are likely to go straight in the recycling, which means that they have accrued carbon. For a Bee Brick, we have calculated that >40% of the carbon in the product can be attributed to the packaging, how crazy is that!
Add the items you want to your basket and then click to check out. In this page you'll find the list of all the products you selected, which you can edit the quantities on, or give us delivery and packing instructions.
There is a tickbox on the right hand side of the page just above the update cart and checkout buttons, tick this to turn packaging free on prior to proceeding to the payment screens
So if you’re buying for an eco conscious, nature loving person this year, why not opt to go packaging free?
]]>We are booking all orders with DPD for shipments due to the current strike action however the DPD network is also facing difficulties due to increased volume. Please read the following update from DPD and check if your postcode is affected. We will be packing orders to dispatch at least next day, same day where possible, until our last order date of Monday 19th December however we are reliant on DPD's service for your orders to reach you.
Last shipping dates for Christmas delivery - a service update from DPD
At DPD Local we continue to work around the clock to overcome the challenges we face due to numerous factors, including the industrial action at Royal Mail.
As we approach the final days of the festive period, we want to advise you of our last shipping dates for delivery to be made by Christmas Eve.
The vast majority of your parcels will be delivered by Christmas Eve, if they are with us by 21 December, however, for parcels sent to selected postcodes where we currently have delays, the last shipping date will be 19 December.
Weather conditions continue to be a further challenge for our operation with severe weather experienced in parts of the UK this week. This will inevitably mean further delays for parcels. Wherever possible we will always attempt delivery and keep your customers updated on the status of their parcel if we have their contact details.
All our efforts remain focused on servicing our existing customers. We want to assure you that we have not been accepting new customers in this period and looking after your business remains our priority.
Thank you for your understanding and support in these extraordinary circumstances.
Postcodes affected:
CH1-3, CH34, CH65-66, CH70, CH88 CW1-12, CW98 DE4, DE6, DE45 DN9, DN15-21, DN31-41 EH1-46, EH52-53, EH77, EH91, EH95, EH99 HD1-9 HG1-3, HG5 HX1-7 KY1-7, KY11-12, KY99 LN1-13 LS1-29, LS88, LS98-99 M20-23, M31, M33, M90 NE9, NE11, NE15-19, NE21, NE43-49, NE61-71 PE11, PE20-25 S70-72, S75 SK7-12, SK17, SK22-23 ST1-21, ST55 SY1-5, SY13-14, SY99 TD2-5, TD10-15 WA1-2, WA4-7, WA13-16, WA55 WF1-14, WF16-17, WF90 YO8
]]>As small businesses, we come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to answer your needs. As a collective, we are agile and responsive businesses powered by passion
At Green&Blue:
When you shop with Green&Blue you know that everyone in the design, making packing and dispatch teams has had a part in creating your product and your experience.
What it means to us when you shop small and ethically
When you buy with us you are making our whole team happy, enabling us to make homes havens for wildlife. We are continuously working to improve, to be curious about everything and ask ourselves, 'can we do better?' Knowing that you are supporting us in our mission gives us the motivation to carry on doing what we do!
Free Delivery when you spend over £25*, usually we offer free delivery over £95 but our small but mighty offer to celebrate Small Business Saturday is running until Sunday night at midnight for all orders over £25!
*Offer valid for all sales over £25 made between 0.00am Saturday 3rd and 23.59pm Sunday 4th December 2022. UK only.
]]>Thanks to your purchases between Tuesday 22nd - Monday 28th November, we have been able to donate £709.00 to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust which will be allocated to the fund for reopening Nansmellyn nature reserve, right on our doorstep here in Perranporth.
This oasis of calm supports so many species and provides a peaceful retreat for the local community here. As a business we are on a mission to make havens for wildlife within the homes we inhabit, and for us at Green&Blue, the place we call home is not just within 4 walls, but outside of them too in the space we all share with nature.
So from us all here, thank you so much (and we'll keep you updated on the next stages of this project!)
...announcing the winner of the BirdBath Giveaway!
We also ran our Biggest ever giveaway for one lucky entrant to win our beautiful Modern Birdbath. The tweeting birds have swooped in and operated the random name selector (actually it was a digital randomiser, for the purposes of impartiality!) and here's Gavin with the announcement!
... the winner is ELSPETH MCGLOUGHLIN, CONGRATULATIONS! The BirdBath is on its way!
]]>Get your hands on one of our special limited edition yellow Bees Blocks! We've cast a few of these big beauties in a limited run of our sunny yellow, perfect for brightening the darker days!
The Bees Block is a stylish nesting site for solitary bees, designed to look stunning in the garden or to be used within the construction of walls, based on a half breeze block dimensions for easy incorporation.
The beautiful block makes a perfect addition to any garden or allotment and is a simple way to encourage natural pollination, making it a great Christmas gift for gardeners who love beautiful design.
Now available in white or yellow priced £49.00 - buy it here.
Your Bee loving loved one might also like our Bee Lover Gift Set, or head over to our gifts for bees collection
]]>Give a Christmas present to a nature lover with our thoughtful gift ideas for Christmas 2022. We’ve stepped away from the conventional ideas of buying sustainable gifts for her, or gifts for him, and have picked a range of Christmas present ideas that will purposefully lead you to ethical Christmas gifts that do away with all the waste that the festive period generates and give our nature the best chance to thrive long into the future.
We want to help you to buy a gift for not just the outdoorsy types and the garden lovers, but also help you to buy all those difficult presents that get left to the last minute so that you can show people you care with a thoughtfully chosen gift!
Gifts for gardeners are always popular! But a garden isn’t a garden without wildlife so think about welcoming nature with a stylish and impressive BeesBlock bee house. It can be placed as a showpiece in the garden, built into a wall in a greenhouse or retrofitted into the house or placed within flower borders. If they don't have a flower border, give some Seedbars or Seedboms to create a wildflower meadow.
If your garden-loving loved one has more of a bird interest, help them to identify birds and solitary bees with our Little Book of Bees, BTO Bird identifying book or give them a home for a bird with our range of Bird houses and Swift, Sparrow and Bird Block bird nesting boxes.
At Green&Blue we all spend a lot of time outdoors either in the garden, allotment, at the beach, coast or in the woods! Our team are physically active and nature loving, but they don’t just want sports kit and clothing, so we asked them what they’d like to be given if they were asked ‘what do I want for Christmas’! The answer was: bird identifying books, Beevive bee revival kits, BeePots to adorn the outdoor party space and taking part in some urban bombing with wildflower bee seeds.
Which of these two is the most difficult person to buy for at the time of year when you have to buy for everyone all at once? The person who says ‘don’t buy me anything’ or the one who already has everything that you can think of?
For us this is an easy gift solution, but we know the pressure is on at this time of year! Buy something that is interesting, sparks curiosity and learning, and connection with nature.
A wide range of bee houses of all shapes and sizes to suit all budgets, a donation to the nature reserve that we help to support with Cornwall Wildlife Trust to help preserve wildlife - or a bird identifying book!
Unique gifts that are unexpected, which can educate and interest while doing a useful job. Give the person who has everything something that connects them with a more back to basics ethos - but impress them at the same time! BeePosts, Bird Baths, Bird tables are our showstopper presents if your budget is £100+, but if the idea is more important than the price why not gift a BeeCell or a donation to Nansmellyn and contribute to the greater good on their behalf?
Stocking fillers for the young or the young at heart! Who doesn’t like to have a stocking full of curiosities on Christmas morning! Bee Cells, wildflower seeds, Beevive, Beepot Minis, books! There’s plenty to keep minds interested while waiting for the mid-afternoon dinner. Our Bee Cells make a fascinating entry point present for children (solitary bees are safe to encourage around children as they don’t sting) to get them to become bee experts and guardians and you can plant a bee garden together!
Some people give gifts to charity in place of cards at Christmas, it saves carbon, trees and aching hands. If you’re looking to spend your hard earned money this Christmas on something different, and to reduce time and tape spent wrapping instead of drinking hot chocolate, you would do well to place your resources in nature for the benefit of all!
Make a positive impact in 2023 for nature with a gift to set it off to a good start! Here are a couple of gift selections for species themselves!
Welcome a bird to your home at Christmas! By providing a regular meal, shelter and a drink you can support them with a headstart for not just them but also their young next year! Your local garden songbirds, migrating Swifts and sparrows would love a stylish, long lasting place to call home for years to come so why not put up a bird house or supply them with their Christmas dinner (all winter long!)
Give solitary bees a home within yours! There’s no better present to gift to all human and animalkind at Christmas than a more secure future full of pollination and potential to help slow the biodiversity decline! A solitary bee will benefit from your donation to them by rewarding you with somewhere between 6-8 babees in a single bee cell - all you have to do is install it and ensure adequate season-long bee friendly planting so that they have nearby food to support them!.
Nansmellyn Marsh is one of the few remaining areas of untouched reedbed in Cornwall and is home to an amazing array of wildlife. Avoid the postal chaos and give that Christmas card money to the kingfishers, otters, cirl bunting and reed warblers instead.
Overwhelmed by needing to buy gifts for teachers, secret Santas, presents for your hosts over Christmas? Foxed wondering what to buy as a joint present for a family? Squirreling away Xmas gift ideas for couples?! How about a gift bundle to make it easier? We’ve put together three different ones (or build your own!)
A complete bird feeding and watching set for bird lovers, feed and identify garden birds - this combination of a feeder, bird identifying book, bird plant seeds and fat ball bird food will get bird lovers up and running learning about our common UK garden birds.
A complete bee garden set for wildlife lovers to help them house, feed, rescue and identify solitary bees. Consisting of a Beepot mini planter and bee house, bee friendly wildflower seeds, a bee-rescuing keyring and the Little Book of Bees they can find out all about our essential pollinators!
Give a pollinating gift to a nature lover, whatever the amount of space they have to create homes for wildlife. Three BeeCells with a Kabloom Beebom seed bom will keep a twitchy and bored 10 year old boy outside and out of trouble during Twixmas giving them the opportunity to go renegade with a grenade full of flowers, scatterbombing wildflowers and mini bee homes in their neglected area of choice, and channeling their inner Banksy/Chris Packham with nature friendly ‘graffiti’.