9 minute read
Pets & Wildlife
THE BIRDS & THE BEES
A joint desire to protect and enhance the bee and pollinator population in Wales has led to an innovative project involving two otherwise unconnected businesses
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They come from different parts of the food industry, but Ellis Eggs Ltd and Bee Welsh Honey have a common desire to boost the fortunes of bees and pollinators and highlight their vital impact on the environment. So Jason Ellis, owner of the Hirwaun-based egg company, and Builth Wells bee farmer Shane Llewelyn-Jones have forged a collaboration that is already benefitting the environment and potentially creating commercial opportunities.
Jason’s interest in the vital role of bees and pollinators was sparked by reading articles and watching nature programmes. Wanting to make a positive and practical contribution towards the bee population, the company has sponsored the creation of a new apiary of 12 hives sited in Mid Wales.
A family-run business based at a state-of-the-art egg packing facility in Rhondda Cynon Taff, Ellis Eggs sells free-range eggs produced by 275,000 hens on eight Welsh farms. Jason said: “As a business, we use lorries and vans and so we’re trying to offset their effect on the environment, and we’ve also installed solar panels. Bees are such small creatures, yet they play an important part in the ecosystem. What we are doing is not going to save the world or change the planet, but we are doing our bit.”
The sponsored hives
Creating a buzz
The two entrepreneurs have been brought together by the Welsh Honey Cluster, part of the Food & Drink Wales Clusters initiative to foster connections between businesses in the sector.
Shane said: “Jason was put in touch with me as he wanted to support bees and their sustainability. I suggested he sponsor some hives, and the result is a project that’s bringing birds and the bees together for the benefit of the environment.”
With a fascination for bees stretching back to childhood, Shane created the multi-award-winning Bee Welsh Honey Company and has more than 200 hives in apiaries throughout Mid Wales. Shane, who is also a regional bee inspector, bred the bees and advised Jason on the siting of the hives for the project, which comes at a time when the number of bees is in decline globally.
Shane said: “All’s going well, and currently there are a dozen Ellis Eggs hives in the Brecon Beacons. The hives are in a good spot, at the right altitude, and on a farm that grows wildflowers and cover crops that are beneficial to pollinators.”
We need bees – and beekeepers need investment
Egging them on
Welsh Honey Cluster lead Haf Wyn Hughes said: “Many people don’t realise the level of investment required to set up hives on a commercial basis. One of the major barriers to growth for beekeepers is access to sufficient funds, as most in Wales don’t own their own land. So having a company like Ellis Eggs take such a keen interest in the sustainability of beekeeping and commit to funding hives is very welcome indeed. I hope more enterprises will consider doing likewise.”
It is early days for the alliance, but already there are hopes to increase the number of hives and even create a new honey brand. Meanwhile, the collaboration has inspired a new brand from Ellis Eggs, Beeloved Farms, on sale in CK Stores in Wales. The egg boxes – which feature bees and hives – are made from a minimum of 50% grass and are 100% compostable and recyclable.
A member of the Fine Food Cluster, Jason said: “It’s all part of trying to look out for our children’s future. I thought it was time we changed our way of doing things. I knew of fruit being packed in grass boxes and found out an egg box could be made from it too.”
Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths said: “This initiative is a great example of how businesses can work collaboratively to help protect our precious environment.”
A new brand for Ellis Eggs
PETS & WILDLIFECute Pets a £25 voucher for Bradeley Green pet store in Whitchurch, to spend in-store or online at WIN Boris loves petcetera.co.uk his home comforts My beautiful Ella is nine months old and a rescue dog from Romania
Aria – our neighbour’s cat who has taken over our birdbath…
Harley in the great oudoors Daisy our 13-year-old Westie enjoying a good read! Wilson and Jasper
My cuddly cute cat called Fanta – he is wonderful, and has coped with four house moves in one year!
Here is Percy the corgi having fun running around some fields in Cheshire! We love Kittykat
Min the great Dane This is Hazel the Yorkie cuddling her favourite teddy
Pretty Polly
My pet chihuahua called Minnie
Tractor driving cat Sian Harry, the Jack Russell
Four-monthold puppy Willow is a cocker spaniel x Border collie
Congratulations to Darren, owner of Hazel the Yorkie, who wins this issue’s competition!
Parker the cocker spaniel enjoying his swim in the river Dee at Llangollen
Snuggling for movie night, Daisy the terrier and Supernoodle the lurcher
The cutest dog! Teddy our Welsh terrier is seven and has been part of our family for the last four years
Win some pet treats! To enter, email a photograph of your pet and their name to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk and the Shire team will pick the winner!
IT’S A DOG’S LIFE… IN MOLD ANYWAY!
One North Wales shopping destination has launched itself as the area’s most dog-friendly town, in a bid to attract visitors and their four-legged friends
A patient shopping companion…
Mold has become a favourite with pet owners after more than 20 businesses signed up to allow dogs onto their premises. The ‘Dog-Friendly Mold’ scheme encourages anyone visiting the town with their four-legged friends to “leave only footprints” and ensure waste is picked up and disposed of to keep the streets clean. The campaign has been embraced by customers and store owners across the area, with many now offering tasty treats, water bowls and safe outdoor spaces.
Among them is RainbowBiz CIC social enterprise, whose director Sue Oliver said canine kindness has been well received at their Hippy Shop.
“We have a water bowl at the door and signs saying dogs are welcome,” she said. “For many people, their dog is their best friend, so we understand that having them with them while they visit us is important. As a result, we’ve seen an increase in the number of dogs and their owners coming here. As long as they all behave, they’re always welcome!”
Hound town
The same goes for Simmi Womanswear on New Street, whose owner Simone Ellis has just unveiled a new range of ‘paw-fect’ designer gifts. “We have keyrings, bags and more for pet owners, which are already proving popular,” she said. “The feedback to being a ‘dogfriendly’ business has been positive, and responsible owners are welcome.”
Words echoed by Gareth Jones, owner of Mold Alehouse on Earl Road. “We are proud to support the campaign and always happy to serve well-behaved dogs, and their well-behaved humans!” he said. Mold has been celebrating a town-centre vacancy rate of just 5.8 percent, having seen more than 50 shops open in the last two years. Marie Revell, owner of Latte Lottie in the Daniel Owen Precinct says the warmth between businesses, shoppers and their pets, has brought a feelgood factor to the area. In fact, Marie’s own dog, sprocker spaniel Lottie, inspired the name for the coffee and sandwich bar, which opened last summer. “The reaction from customers is always positive. They are delighted to have somewhere to bring their dog where they can relax and unwind, especially when the weather is bad,” she said. “We are more than happy to accommodate them, and the free sausages and treats we give the dogs always go down well! It’s a great campaign and once again shows why Mold is such a unique, friendly place.” For more information and a list of businesses taking part in the Dog-Friendly Mold scheme, visit totallymold.org.uk/Dog-FriendlySue Oliver with RainbowBiz customers, human and canine Mold and email totallymold@moldtowncouncil.org.uk like to register your organisation as dog-friendly. if you would
“For many people, their dog is their best friend” Treats on o er at Latte Lottie
Calling wildlife warriors for summer camp
Two of our local Wildlife Trusts are holding a joint creative camp this summer and looking for young nature lovers to enjoy five days of free fun
This August, Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trusts are leading a unique, free creative day camp for young people aged 13-24. The venture is made possible by Stand for Nature Wales, a project looking to empower young people to take action for nature and climate, and is funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery and the National Lottery Community Fund through the Climate Action Fund.
The five days will be jam-packed with activities such as bug hunting, improvisation, creative writing, bird box making and wildlife recording. Participants will work together to produce a show with a climate and wildlife theme, providing a platform to share your passion for wildlife and amplify your voice about climate issues. The camp takes place on 1st-5th August at The Willow Globe, near Rhayader,
The Willow Globe
an outdoor living theatre surrounded by wildflower areas, woodlands and magical places to explore. Early booking is recommended at rwtwales.org/events or contact silvia@rwtwales.org for more details.
