This week is Bees Needs Week  and our bees are in danger. Last week I listened to a most fascinating account of the importance of bees on our lives and the economy.  “They lie at the heart of relationships that bind the human and natural worlds.” Radio 4’s Book of the Week was “Buzz” in which Thor Hansen traces the influence of bees on past cultures and how they are essential in the production of much of our food.  After beekeepers in North America had been losing a huge proportion of their bees it became known as a beepocalypse so a great deal of research has been carried out.   It seems that bees are becoming stressed by “the four Ps” -  parasites, poor nutrition, pathogens and pesticides.  One way in which they can be helped is by reducing pesticides and we could grow more bee friendly plants for them to feed upon and encourage authorities to leave areas and road verges for wild flowers.  The lavender and foxgloves in the garden are certainly very popular with the bees.