Honeybees originated in Europe approximately 30 million years ago and there is evidence of the practice of beekeeping dating back to the Stone Age in many ancient cave paintings. But they are under threat with reports of a severe decline in the population of over 50 per cent in recent years.
Now, as Britain’s Greenest Hospital, UHSM has taken delivery of six fully equipped hives to ensure we do our bit to secure the survival of one of nature’s good guys – and help support our One in a Million fundraising appeal in the process.
Advised by the Manchester Beekeepers’ Association and supported by Duerr’s, the Manchester marmalade, preserve and honey makers, we plan to harvest the honey and sell it to raise funds for our maternity services.
We expect that once established, each season our hives will collectively be producing more than 150lbs of excess honey. But, although it will take some effort on our part, it will be down to these tiny insects to do all the hard work. Bees fly about 55,000 miles to make just one pound of honey, that’s 1½ times around the world!
Duerr’s Managing Director, Mark Duerr says his company - who chose the One in a Million Appeal as their charity of the year in 2010 and is raising money for the hospital’s neonatal unit this year – is delighted to support the enterprise. He explains: “Honey has long been recognised for its healthy properties and we are working with UHSM researchers to further investigate the healing benefits of special types of our honey. It makes sense for a hospital, especially Britain’s Greenest Hospital, to be investing in bees in this way.”
UHSM Governor John Churchill has been instrumental in getting the project up and running and has negotiated with a local farmer for us to site our hives in an old orchard three miles from the main hospital site. He believes that when we can show the success of our beekeeping, many more organisations will follow our lead.
For more information please contact Susan Osborne, Director of Communications and Engagement on 0161 291 4972.