The anti-violence sculpture made by the British Ironwork Centre using illegal weapons seized off the streets of the UK, dubbed the "Manchester Bee," is set to "beeline" its way in a tour around Gloucester this coming Feb. 16 through 20.
This sculpture, which was the first in the country to be made out of guns, will visit the city in hopes of promoting conversations about crime and violence prevention. Its main stop is at the Gloucester Cathedral.
'The Bee of Peace' in Gloucester
This hosting of the bee sculpture is only one part of a larger tour in various stops across the country, which the British Ironwork Centre dubs "The Bee of Peace" tour.
According to the organization's website, the sculpture was made in collaboration and as commissioned by the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to establish a physical symbol of Manchester's "stance against all forms of violence."
It is made out of thousands of knives and firearms that were sourced from the amnesty banks in Manchester and the sculpture was made in the image of the city's worker bee mascot.
The tour's upcoming Gloucester leg is highly anticipated, with Gloucester Cathedral's Canon Chancellor Rebecca Lloyd telling BBC that its presence in the city and the opportunity to host it is a "great privilege."
Canon Lloyd, who is also the Director of Learning and Participation at the church, also expressed that they are still "blown away" by the previously successful visit of the bee's predecessor, the Knife Angel, which was similarly made by the British Ironwork Centre.
In commemoration of the angel's visit last year, the church has also set up the Knife Angel Legacy Fund.
According to Canon Lloyd, this fund made two recently hosted youth action summits which brought together "young people and partners" across the city to discuss ways to make Gloucester safer.
The Knife Angel Legacy Fund also helped fund the bee's upcoming visit to the cathedral, with added financial help from Crimestoppers and Gloucester BID.
In addition to this, the bee is also being supported by city partners The Hollie Gazzard Trust, The Music Works, Hundred Heroines, Gloucester CitySafe, Nettl, 1st Call Plant Ltd, Gloucestershire College, and Hartpury University and College.
The sculpture will first touch down in Kings Square and it will then "buzz" around the Music Works Bus and Hundred Heroines' "Malevolence" exhibition before it arrives at the Gloucester Cathedral.
During its stay at the church, would-be viewers will also be able to participate in free bee-themed arts and crafts activities.
Its last stop within the city is set at the Docks on Feb. 18. After the Gloucester leg of the tour, the "Manchester Bee" will continue its journey across the county.
