SCHOOL children in Helensburgh will receive a memento of the most turbulent year in their early education - in the shape of a hand crocheted bee.

Hermitage Primary has been swarmed with donations of the fabric items after the school’s parent council issued a bee plea to the community in February.

Claire Walker, chair of the group, wanted to celebrate each pupil’s efforts over the past 12 months, enduring lockdowns, home learning and constant disruption to their daily routines.

National restrictions currently allow for all pupils to return to schools from April 19, at the end of the Easter break, by which point more than 400 handcrafted bees will be handed out at Hermitage as part of the ‘Hermi hive’, reflecting the school’s slogan: “Be the best you can be.”

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In a recent letter, Claire said: “With the amazing help of you all by spreading the word, we never imagined that our request would reach so many people, it really has been a worldwide effort, with bees flying in from America, Canada and throughout the UK.

“Crochet and knitting needles at the ready, people set to work preparing our hive of over 400 bees. That was no small task. It can only be described as the best display of handmade bees ever seen, each with their own unique characters, just like the children.

Helensburgh Advertiser: More than 400 hand crocheted bees have been delivered to the schoolMore than 400 hand crocheted bees have been delivered to the school

“Parents, grandparents, children, friends and complete strangers have given up their time to get involved. People have donated financially towards the cost of supplies, some teaching themselves to crochet just so they can contribute to the cause.

“Irina [Agostinelli] and her team at Fabric & Finery have been an enormous help, as have all of you, some going above and beyond (you know who you are!)

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“Our heartfelt thanks goes to each and every one of you. You are all truly amazing people and none of this would have been possible without your extraordinary help and support.

“Strangers have become friends throughout this and our school community has definitely grown and strengthened for the benefit of everyone. Our positive partnership with the community has undeniably been cemented.

“We are unable to put into words our gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has helped create this amazing gesture, but to each and every one of you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

“Throughout all of this we certainly have all been the best we can be.”

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