Whats all the buzz about?

What's all the buzz about?

A South Gloucestershire housing development's on-site beekeeper is calling out for volunteers to help him care for the community's smallest and busiest residents. 81 year old Alan Stott, from Chipping Sodbury, manages the hives at David Wilson Homes' community at Ladden Garden Village, Yate.

David Wilson Homes installed the beehives as part of its drive to enhance and protect wildlife and biodiversity on and around the communities it is building.

Alan, who has been tending to beehives around South Gloucestershire for over a decade, is now looking to recruit members of the local community of all ages to learn more about the hives and help care for the pollenating honey-makers. A Friends of the Beehive group is being set up by Alan and David Wilson Homes, which is contacting its residents at Ladden Garden Village to encourage them to join.

Local residents are being invited to the Bee's Needs event on Sunday 5th of September for a free, fun and educational afternoon at Ladden Garden Village. The event has been set up by the Ladden Garden Village Action Group. Alan will be demonstrating with the community's hives at the event, showing people how to look after them, and recruiting for volunteers to help with the hives. Event participants will also be offered bee and honey-related goody bags to take home. Alan's passion for beekeeping began when the eldest of his grandsons, Joe, now 17, decided that he himself wanted to look after a hive of his own. Joe joined the South Gloucestershire Beekeepers Association and got his first colony of honeybees for his eighth birthday.

Alan took classes with him on the subject and much like a bee with pollen, found himself drawn to the subject.

Ten years down the line, Alan now has a range of hives under his care, with his latest right in the heart of South Gloucestershire's newest community, Ladden Garden Village. The now well established hive has been thriving for 3 years on the development of two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Alan also holds talks on "The Mysteries of the Beehive" and interactive workshops for communities which help teach people the ins and outs of bee keeping.

One of Alan's current students includes his youngest grandson, 12 year old Jacob, who regularly helps his granddad with the bees - which can get to numbers of 60,000 in summer months within just one hive.

Alan said: "When I started those night classes I'd never had a pet, not even a goldfish, but once I was in, I was in. It's addictive as there's always more to learn. There's just something about looking after the hive which makes you happy.

"I think the key thing with beekeeping is that everyone can get into it, no matter of age, I'm in my 80s and my grandson's a teenager after all! Anyone with an interest in nature and animals would be ideal - but really you just need to learn about the bees - they know what they're doing when it comes to the flowers!"

Louise Ware, sales director for David Wilson Homes South West added:

"We are so thrilled to have Alan helping us with the hive here at Ladden Garden Village and can't wait for residents and people in the area to come and get involved. This hive and the Friends of the Beehive group will not only help to build the community here, but will offer people a chance to reconnect with nature and hopefully learn some new bee-based skills along the way! Installing beehives on the new development is part of our drive to protect and enhance biodiversity on and around the new communities we are building. And we know that access to nature and the protection of wildlife have become increasingly important to people when they're looking for a new home." Ladden Garden Village in Yate offers a wide range of homes in a flourishing community, from two-bedroom homes ideal for first-time buyers or people looking to downsize or retire, to three-storey town houses, semi-detached and detached homes, suitable for growing families.

The development will also include a primary school, nursery, community and retail facilities. In addition, Ladden Garden Village will offer 32 acres of public, open space with 600 new trees being planted, 4 acres of new woodland and hedgerows, plus new allotments and sports pitches. Commenting on his favourite aspects of beekeeping, Alan added: "The thing I enjoy most has to be when the new bees emerge after the queen lays her eggs. That's when you know you're doing something right and you've listened to what the bees need. That's what beekeeping is all about, understanding what the bees want you to do and not the other way around."

People who join the Friends of the Beehive group will be taught by Alan and shown how to look after the hive at Ladden Garden Village, they will then have the opportunity to go on to join the South Gloucestershire Bee Society to obtain their beekeepers certification.

Those who wish to be involved with the new Friends of the Beehive group can register their interest with Alan at the free community event on the 5th of September.

The Bee's Needs event will be held at Ladden Garden Village from 13:00 until 16:00 at the show homes and by the new ‘Home from Home' pavilion on Leechpool Way. To request to have a stall please call Live West on 07921 386873.