Teaching Assistant Honoured with National Bees’ Needs Award
Lynn Brown, a Teaching Assistant at Ormston School, has been recognised on a national stage for her outstanding contribution to nature and community engagement—receiving a prestigious Bees’ Needs Champion Award from DEFRA.
The award celebrates Lynn’s creation of the Beckhill Community Garden, a vibrant green space built on disused wasteland near her home in Leeds. With support from local residents, Lynn led the transformation—clearing, digging, planting, and building a haven for pollinators and people alike.
The garden, which now flourishes with pollinator-friendly plants and provides a communal space for local families, was selected by DEFRA as a standout project for its environmental impact and benefit to nature. Lynn received the award in July at a special ceremony hosted at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and presented by the Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh.
“This award means so much,” said Lynn. “It shows what’s possible when a community comes together—and how even a small patch of land can make a big difference for nature.”
The Beckhill Community Garden is now a proud winner of three awards, and Lynn has also connected her work to Ormston School, linking with the RHS School Gardening Award to inspire students about the importance of outdoor learning and biodiversity.
Bees’ Needs Champions are selected for their role in supporting the UK’s pollinators—encouraging wildflower planting, creating habitats, and raising awareness. Lynn’s garden was commended as a “huge change in the environment” and a model for local action.
To follow the garden’s journey and community activities, visit the Beckhill Community Garden Facebook page.
For more about Bees’ Needs Week 2025, visit GOV.UK Bees’ Needs Week.



