I was encouraged by a recent article in The Mill to walk around the Ancoats/New Islington District before going to the St Peters concert hall this week(what an amazing venue that is!) Some amazing architecture still standing but only one original reference to the bee on an 1820s warehouse as the article notes.I don't remember any references to bees when growing up in Manchester several decades ago so this symbol seems fairly recent in adoption to me.All great cities however gave their own branding eg Berlin has the bear symbol everywhere so why not Manchester with its bees?
Thank you for this delightful and informative article about the history of the bee. And you are right, we all love it and it's such a relevant symbol for our time in so many ways.
I think the bee 🐝 is a very heartening symbol; denotes teamwork and a strong work ethic. Bumblebees are also very cute – if you see one on the floor or unable to fly, give it some honey or sugar water to get its energy back!
Very interesting article. Well done Leah. Pity the Council didn’t value Victorian heritage in the 1960’s and tour down lots to build the Armadale Centre. Even the Royal Exchange building was discussed for demolition! Still ignores some of Manchester’s Victorian buildings.
I remember enjoying the Bee bollards when they appeared, and I remember smiling at its use in the council advertising in the 90s "Manchester - it's beginning to buzz!" if my memory serves me right. It originated with exploitative Manchester industrialists, I doubt not, but Mancunians have made it their own.
The bee symbol has indeed become an integral part of the identity of Manchester. The 100 large bee statues which formed part of Wild in Art’s Bee in the City project in 2018 also deserve a mention. Together with 130 small bees they formed a memorable sculpture trail around the city. The large bees are still to be found around the city including at the Dower House in Heaton Park- HQ of Manchester Beekeepers.
I always thought the bee had connections with the home of the co-operative movement, Rochdale Pioneers etc.? Being a member of a co-op is like being a member of a hive, working together for the common good... The Co-op Group have an archivist who might help.
I was encouraged by a recent article in The Mill to walk around the Ancoats/New Islington District before going to the St Peters concert hall this week(what an amazing venue that is!) Some amazing architecture still standing but only one original reference to the bee on an 1820s warehouse as the article notes.I don't remember any references to bees when growing up in Manchester several decades ago so this symbol seems fairly recent in adoption to me.All great cities however gave their own branding eg Berlin has the bear symbol everywhere so why not Manchester with its bees?
I love the bee symbol ,I have a bee necklace to remind me that I'm a Mancunian at heart, as if I'd forget !
How the council can trademark an image of a bee is beyond me ,It's part of the natural world.
Enjoyed reading about the symbolism of the bee, thank you.
Thank you for this delightful and informative article about the history of the bee. And you are right, we all love it and it's such a relevant symbol for our time in so many ways.
I think the bee 🐝 is a very heartening symbol; denotes teamwork and a strong work ethic. Bumblebees are also very cute – if you see one on the floor or unable to fly, give it some honey or sugar water to get its energy back!
No mention of Boddingtons! They had the bee on their logo for years and years as a Manchester export from 1900.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boddingtons_Brewery#Advertising
did we have a bus service called the busy bee ??
Very interesting article. Well done Leah. Pity the Council didn’t value Victorian heritage in the 1960’s and tour down lots to build the Armadale Centre. Even the Royal Exchange building was discussed for demolition! Still ignores some of Manchester’s Victorian buildings.
I remember enjoying the Bee bollards when they appeared, and I remember smiling at its use in the council advertising in the 90s "Manchester - it's beginning to buzz!" if my memory serves me right. It originated with exploitative Manchester industrialists, I doubt not, but Mancunians have made it their own.
I’ve always wondered this, glad to have an answer!
The bee symbol has indeed become an integral part of the identity of Manchester. The 100 large bee statues which formed part of Wild in Art’s Bee in the City project in 2018 also deserve a mention. Together with 130 small bees they formed a memorable sculpture trail around the city. The large bees are still to be found around the city including at the Dower House in Heaton Park- HQ of Manchester Beekeepers.
Oops! I need better glasses!
The pic is on an old bus and painted oddly - Europe, or part, is green? Why?
Thanks 4 the correction! Robin
It's very well written article and very and very interesting.
Excellent article. Why is the Earth Globe upside down Manchester's Coat o Arms? Any idea? cheers, Robin Grayson, Didsbury East
Re the 3 crosses of Amsterdam, see my facebook page. Dorli Nauta
I always thought the bee had connections with the home of the co-operative movement, Rochdale Pioneers etc.? Being a member of a co-op is like being a member of a hive, working together for the common good... The Co-op Group have an archivist who might help.