Village school produces its own honey

There was only a small harvest this year but there was just enough Bees Of Bury School honey to send every child home with a mini jar.

The village school began caring for its own honey bees last September, working with Kathy Haigh from Bury Bees.

Staff helped the beekeeper with her own hives to build confidence before taking on hives at the school.

Thomas Moore, head teacher, said: “They had seen the benefits that having our own bees would not only have on teaching in our locally-driven curriculum but also for the continued pollination of the rare plants we have here in Bury. Only a couple of years ago, we had left a patch of the field to grow and were rewarded with bee orchids.”

The children spent the autumn term learning about bees, with the aim of getting hands-on with the new arrivals in March.

Mr Moore said: “And then lockdown hit. The children’s excitement was dashed as we went into doing all we could to support the increasing strain on the NHS.

“The school remained open throughout lockdown, including all through the half term and Easter holidays, but the focus was very much about ensuring the key worker children and staff were as safe as possible. Although we were in lockdown, the bees still need looking after.”

Staff continued to don their special suits and work with Kathy, checking on the bees each week. The school shared updates on Twitter and in newsletters, to keep the children and parents informed.

Mr Moore said: “The children all returned to school in September, just as the bees were slowing down ready for autumn and winter. Luckily, just before slowing down, they rewarded the staff for their hard work looking after them.

“The very first Bees Of Bury School honey was harvested in late summer. It was a very small yield this year but there was just enough to send every child home with a small jar.”

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