Community garden is abuzz with arrival of 10,000 bees

A community garden is in a buzz after welcoming the arrival of 10,000 bees.

Members of the ‘Grow in Brought’on’ community growing project have branched out into beekeeping thanks to a helping hand from Salix Homes and the Salford Bee Collective.

The group has introduced a honeybee apiary to its site on Heath Avenue, Lower Broughton, which it intends to use as an educational facility for schoolchildren in Salford.

The project has been funded thanks to a £2,550 grant from Salix Homes’ Your Salix, Your Say fund which helps finance worthwhile projects that will improve communities, as voted for by the public.

As part of the initiative, two members of ‘Grow in Brought’on’ have undergone beekeeper training through the Salford Bee Collective and will use an observational beehive made of out perspex to help teach schoolchildren about the importance of the honeybee.

David Oldroyd, beekeeper and chairman of the ‘Grow in Brought’on’ project, said: “The honeybee plays a crucial role in the environment by pollinating our plants and crops, so not only will they help our fruit and vegetables to flourish, we are also looking forward to welcoming children on to the site to educate them about just how important honeybees are.

“I’d like to say a big thank you for Salix Homes for supporting our bee project which will help protect the honeybee colonies and improve the environment in which we all live.”

It’s hoped the bees will start producing honey next year, which the group intends to sell and invest the profits back into the project.

Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes added: “The ‘Grow in Brought’on’ project has come such a long way since it first started four years ago with just a few people growing vegetables – it now has a thriving community growing area and a waiting list of people wanting to join – so the arrival of the bees is the next exciting step in the development of the group.

“This is a wonderful initiative that we are very proud to support and we hope the community takes advantage of this fantastic educational facility that’s now on their doorstep.”