Supporting our pollinators.

World bee day is celebrated on the 20^th of May each year with the primary focus of raising awareness of the essential role that bees play in our eco system.

There are 270 species of bee in the UK, including the honeybee, and they’re responsible for pollinating 80% of our wildflowers as well as many of our crops.

Plants including crop plants depend on bees as well as insects to move pollen between flowers which allows them to produce seed and fruits. Without the help of our bees, crop yields would significantly decrease. 

It’s been well documented over the years how the population of bees is in real decline, over the last 10 years a third of bees have disappeared and this is mainly due to loss of habitats. Over the years we have lost around 97% of our wildflower meadows which bees and other pollinators rely on for food and shelter.

We can however do our bit to help protect the future of our valuable bees, for example using our outdoor spaces to plant bee-friendly plants or make bee friendly hotels or even become a beekeeper!

Claydon Estate are dedicated to protecting our natural environment.

As a member of the countryside stewardship scheme, we’re dedicated to protecting our natural environment for future generations. This includes restoring habitats, providing food and nesting places as well as providing pollen and nectar sources.

Approximately 12% of our in-hand farmland is wildflower rich with pollen and nectar mixes thus creating valuable wildflower corridors and food sources.

Somebody who does know a lot about bees is Ged Marshall, a Master Bee Farmer, Ged has over 100 honey production colonies within Claydon Estate and the local area.  If you’ve eaten at the Phoenix Kitchen, then you may have tasted some of Ged’s honey in one of our dishes or cakes!

Ged started beekeeping when he was 15, and he was the first beekeeper in the country who was awarded the status of “Master Bee Farmer”. Ged focuses on bulk honey production and has worked all over Europe to improve his beekeeping.

Ged’s honeybees not only produce delicious honey they also help pollinate the wide variety of wildflowers, trees and agricultural crops within our surrounding countryside.

To find out more about Ged and his bees visit http://www.britishhoneyproducersltd.com/honey.html