‘Honey for the Soul’ project in Tipperary highlights the value of pollinators
Initiative to promote health, well-being and sustainability
World Bee Day was celebrated on May 20, highlighting the importance of pollinators for biodiversity and food security globally.
Clonmel, the home of Bulmers Irish Cider and the meadow of honey, plays a pivotal role for pollinators in the South Tipperary Beekeepers Association, with hives located in and around the orchards in Annerville and Powerstown, where the apple blossoms grow year on year, and with pollination being a key factor to their growth.
And as the saying goes - no bee, no Bulmers!
This year, on World Bee Day, the team at Bulmers took to the stage to showcase their “Honey for the Soul project”, established by The Hive - an initiative within the company to promote health, well-being and sustainability.
John Dalton introduced the first of the bees to site on World Bee Day to the new hives for this project.
The “Honey for the Soul” project is an exciting project between Bulmers and local beekeeper, John Dalton, who has created an introductory beekeeping course for Bulmers employees.
Not only does “Honey for the soul” contribute to sustainability, it brings an added buzz to the employees of Bulmers from all walks of life, who have come together to learn new skills and support local beekeeping.
John, who has over 40 years of experience managing bees and hives, has been teaching the Bulmers employees about bee behaviour and hive management.
In addition to the ongoing “Honey for the Soul” project, environmental engineer at Bulmers, Shane Kennedy, has completed a project on the ESG front (environmental, social and governance), which has encompassed donating bee lodges for solitary bees to Powerstown National School and Clonmel Tidy Towns Association.
These lodges provide a vital habitat for solitary bees, who are important pollinators that often get overlooked.
The bee lodges were warmly welcomed by teachers and students alike, who are eager to support local biodiversity.
Clover seeds were provided for all the pupils and staff from the Irish Bee Conservation Project and they provided a presentation to educate students on bee conservation.
Further lodges were also installed around the Bulmers orchards and site.
With more exciting developments from an ESG perspective and The Hive in close proximity, there are lots of exciting plans to come.
All the while, the Bulmers Beekeepers will be very busy keeping the hives alive on the Bulmers site in Clonmel.