Chelmsford will be buzzing next summer when a swarm of colourful bee sculptures lands in the city centre, raising money for local hospice care.
Chelmsford will be buzzing next summer when a swarm of colourful bee sculptures lands in the city centre, raising money for local hospice care.
Around 40 of the brilliant bees will be installed outside places of interest in Chelmsford. Each one will be decorated with a unique design by a talented local artist, forming the ‘Buzz in the City’ art trail through the city’s streets and parks.
Around 40 of the brilliant bees will be installed outside places of interest in Chelmsford. Each one will be decorated with a unique design by a talented local artist, forming the ‘Buzz in the City’ art trail through the city’s streets and parks.
This will be the first time that Chelmsford has hosted an art trail. Organisers at Farleigh Hospice are working with Chelmsford For You – the city’s Business Improvement District – to create this exciting event with support from Chelmsford City Council.
Farleigh’s Commercial Director, Pauline Harvey-Jones, said, “Buzz in the City promises to be a great family-friendly activity that everyone can enjoy during the 2025 summer holidays. We are thrilled to reveal the design of the sculpture, which is a charming bee resting on a honeycomb. It has been created exclusively for this event.”
A prototype of the sculpture was recently shown for the first time to members of the care team and fundraisers at Farleigh Hospice and then photographed around the city. The actual bee sculptures that will feature in the art trail will stand at over 6 feet tall.
The eye-catching art trail will encourage more people to visit and explore Chelmsford. This will boost tourism and support the local economy, as well as increasing interest in art and design and knowledge of nature and the importance of bees to our world.
When Buzz in the City closes, the bee sculptures will be auctioned to raise money for Farleigh. The local charity provides specialist hospice care, free of charge, to people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement in Chelmsford and across mid Essex.
Local businesses and other organisations can be part of Buzz in the City by sponsoring a bee. Their name and details will be displayed on the plinth at the base of the sculpture and included in a trail app which people can download and use to track their trail journey across the city.
There will also be a ‘learning and community programme’ for schools, youth organisations, care homes and community groups who will be able to design, decorate and name their own ‘mini bee’ sculpture.
To find out more about sponsoring a bee or the learning and community programme,
email arttrail@farleighhospice.org.