Sculpture trail creates buzz in city

Giant sculptures of bees will be on display in a city's streets and parks for the next two months as it hosts its first art trail.

Buzz in the City has swarmed into Chelmsford, Essex, amid hopes it will raise more than £100,000 for the local Farleigh Hospice.

Thirty bee sculptures decorated by artists and 15 smaller bee models, painted by schools, care homes and community groups, make up the 6.2-mile (10-km) trail.

"We chose bees for their hard-working nature, they are very community spirited - much like the hospice - and their importance to the natural world," said art trail organiser Caroline Smith.

More than 20 artists have painted the 6-ft (1.8-m) high sculptures, with designs ranging from abstract to traditional.

They went on display across the city on 5 July and will be in place until Tuesday 9 September, when they will be moved to Farleigh Hospice's for a farewell weekend event on 13 and 14 September.

The sculptures will be auctioned off on 17 September to raise money for the hospice.

The charity provides free hospice care for adults with life-limiting illnesses across mid-Essex and also offers bereavement services to children and adults.

Hospice commercial director Pauline Harvey-Jones said: "We decided to do an art trail in Chelmsford as we wanted to raise awareness of Farleigh Hospice in our community, to actually have a really fantastic community event and also to highlight the plight of bees.

"We hope when people do the trail, they'll enjoy all the experiences they can have within the city and parks in Chelmsford."

Printed maps of the trail are available or visitors can download an app to their phones.

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