Northumberland crafting heritage celebrated as beautiful proggy mat presented to Seahouses nursery on World Bee Day
Nursery children and staff at Busy Bees Seahouses were delighted to reveal a unique handmade gift - a traditional proggy mat.
The beautifully crafted mat – depicting bees buzzing through a colourful garden scene - was displayed by the nursery to coincide with their celebrations marking World Bee Day.
The artwork, specially created by members of the Proggy Mat Club at Seahouses Hub, highlights the importance of bees in the environment while also celebrating the rich heritage of North East England’s traditional rug-making craft.
The original design was created by local artist Heather Nicholson, with club members spending six months carefully bringing the piece to life by hand.
The intricate work was completed by Diane Miller, Sandra MacFarlane, Frances Fletcher, Annie Renton, Anne Pringle and Louise Trotter, whose dedication and craftsmanship transformed the design into a lasting community treasure.
Proggy mat making has deep roots across North East England, where generations used recycled fabrics to create durable and decorative rugs.
Once born out of necessity in mining and fishing communities, the tradition is now enjoying renewed appreciation thanks to community groups working to preserve local heritage and pass skills on to younger generations.
Staff at Busy Bees Seahouses said the mat will take pride of place in the nursery, where it can be admired by children, parents and visitors alike.
The project also reflects the strong community spirit within Seahouses, bringing together artists, crafters and educators in a shared celebration of creativity, heritage and environmental awareness.
By combining the symbolism of bees with a traditional Northumberland craft, the mat serves as both a piece of art and an educational talking point for children learning about nature and conservation.
Carol Adams, the manager of Busy Bees Nursery in Seahouses, said the gift was “truly special” and thanked everyone involved for their time, talent and generosity.
World Bee Day is celebrated globally on May 20 each year to recognise the critical role bees and other pollinators play in our ecosystems and global food supply. The date was chosen to honour the birthday of Anton Janša, an 18th-century pioneer of modern beekeeping.