The month ahead

Anjana Ahuja on bees, cities of the future and science's big festival
August 19, 2010

Bristol will turn into a hive of activity from 28th to 30th August, when it celebrates bees and pollination. Insect experts, beekeepers, orchid enthusiasts and honey producers will take over the University's Botanic Garden, which will also host a working hive. There'll even be a honey competition. Sweet. Call 0117 331 4906 for more details. In collaboration with Open House weekend, which gives the public access to normally private buildings, the Royal Society is hosting a public discussion on what sustainable cities of the future will look like. Urban meteorologists will join architects and social policy specialists for the event on 13th September. Attendance is free but booking is recommended (www.openhouselondon.org.uk/science). Birmingham will host this year's British Science Festival, from 14th to 19th September. The event will feature familiar faces (Time Team's Tony Robinson and Bad Science crusader Ben Goldacre) and surprising newcomers (comedian and former science teacher Shazia Mirza, and Adrian Mole creator Sue Townsend talking about organ donation). Book at www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/britishsciencefestival. Torchlit tours of the dinosaur gallery are on offer at the Natural History Museum (www.nhm.ac.uk) on 24th September, when it opens until 10pm for After Hours: Science Uncovered. Have your finds identified by experts, or share a cocktail with museum researchers at the science bar. Anyone for a slow comfortable shrew?