Becky Burns is making a difference

15 May 2014

I have introduced bees to Jodrell Bank to improve our biodiversity

I am Head of Gardens and Interpretation at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre and alongside my team we look after the 35 acres of grounds which includes the extensive Lovell Tree Collection and our new Galaxy Garden.

I’m also a newly qualified beekeeper and with the generous support of the South Cheshire Beekeepers Association we’ve been able to introduce two hives of local honeybees to improve the biodiversity of our site and to help pollinate our National Collections of Malus (Flowering Crab Apple) and Sorbus (Rowans and Whitebeam). The bees are settling in well and are very popular with our visitors and staff who are able to get up close and watch us open the hives through a specially built netted apiary. I’m learning all the time and if I can share my experience and inspire other potential new beekeepers then I’m happy!

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