Chelmer Valley High School has joined the buzz around Farleigh Hospice’s “Buzz in the City” art trail by adopting and decorating a mini bee sculpture — and giving it a name close to their hearts: Beryl.
Their colourful creation was decorated by the pupils and named in honour of beloved staff member Beryl Dixon, who has dedicated more than 50 years of service to the school. Starting as a dinner lady in 1974, Beryl has since taken on various roles and now serves as the school’s Reprographics Manager.
Beryl visited Farleigh Hospice in Broomfield to meet her namesake and said, “When they told me, I said, ‘Oh my gosh, fancy naming a bee after me!’ I was highly honoured. In my 80 years, it’s the first time anything like this has happened. I love the design — it’s nice and colourful. Once I know where the bee is on the trail, I will be going to see it and having a photo taken with it too.”
Students will be challenged to find their “Beryl Bee” along the trail this summer and take a photo with her. Once the trail concludes, their bee will return to Chelmer Valley High School and be proudly displayed in the reception foyer, accompanied by a backdrop collage of the student photos.