The on-site beekeeper at Ladden Garden Village in Yate is calling on the local community for help looking after the smallest and busiest residents at the site.
LiveWest worked in partnership with David Wilson Homes on the development at Ladden Garden Village. Local resident, Alan Stott from Chipping Sodbury, who’s in his 80’s, has managed numerous hives in Yate for four years.
After tending to beehives around South Gloucestershire for more than a decade, he’s looking for some assistance and our Community Connector, Marie Burke, along with David Wilson Homes is hoping members of the local community can help Alan look after the site’s pollenating honey-makers.
Marie Burke, our Community Connector, said: “We’re really excited to be able to support another project and LiveWest has done other local events such as the Sunflower Project and the Bees Needs event last year, as well as the Wild Things workshops.
“Ladden Garden Village is a lovely place to be, and the community here work hard to put on activities and make it a great place to live.
“It’s quite rare to get beehives for people to enjoy at a development and having something like this brings people together. Alan is a great asset to the community and gives his time freely to look after the bees, so we really appreciate having him here. I fully support this brilliant learning opportunity for residents so that he can pass on his knowledge and skills to the next generation of beekeepers.”
LiveWest is working with The Ladden Garden Village Community Group to host a Macmillan Coffee Morning and Wildlife event at the development from 10.30 – 12.30 on 1 October. Anyone who’s interested in the beekeeping opportunity are invited to attend to ask questions, learn more about bee-keeper training and register their interest in the role.
Louise Ware, Sales Director at Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, said: “The well-established hives – which can home 60,000 bees in the summer months – have thrived at Ladden Garden Village for years and it’s all thanks to Alan. He has tirelessly cared for the development’s honeybee colonies, and we’d love to find someone who can assist him.
“We’re keen to hear from anyone who’s interested in this voluntary role who’s available for a couple of hours a week. We can share more information with them about the role the job and what goes into helping with the hives and those who remain keen on pursuing the opportunity can attend an introductory beekeeping course, fully funded by us.”
We have collaborated with the community through The Ladden Garden Village Community Group supporting residents to help fund and organise environmental awareness through community events and projects.
Louise added: “We know access to nature and the protection of wildlife have become increasingly important to people when they’re looking for a new home. Maintaining the beehives on our development is part of our drive to protect wildlife and enhance biodiversity on and around the new communities we are building.
“Anyone with an interest in nature and animals would be ideal – but really, they just need a keenness to learn about bees. We really hope local people get behind the volunteer appeal, so we know our bees are in safe hands.”
If you would like to find out more information about the event and the volunteering, contact Marie Burke by email on: Marie.Burke@LiveWest.co.uk