Macclesfield: Happy Valley Honey offering beekeeping 'taster days'
A Macclesfield honey producer are inviting the community to their hives to learn beekeeping skills.
Happy Valley Honey, located in Kerridge, are hosting a six-hour masterclass in beekeeping this July.
The art of beekeeping will be shared, at a paid event suitable for anyone aged 16 or over.
You'll learn theory and practical skills in the relaxed environment of Endon Quarry, and amongst the hives.
The business, which is almost 15 years old, has over 100 colonies spread across the Macclesfield area which pollinate crops and harvest nectar.
Happy Valley Honey Founder Paul Beardmore told how the business began.
"I got into beekeeping when I was part of a photographic society in Bollington," recalled Paul.
"I'd always liked the idea of keeping bees, but it wasn't until two of my fellow photographers asked if they wanted to teach me."
"So I bought a bee suit, and fast-forward to 2023 we have Happy Valley Honey hives all across Macclesfield and ship bee equipment all over the world."
From the first batch of honey, to the present day, his longest-serving customers No. 74 Deli of Bollington's Palmerston Street and Heathcote Butchers has stocked Happy Valley Honey.
As soon as he ran out of his first batch, Paul immediately set to buy more bees and has not looked back since.
Other places in Macclesfield which sell their jars of natural goodness includes Scoop and Scales on Roe Street, Fairways Garden Centre and the Treacle Market.
"It has turned into a life-changing experience", said Paul.
"Before this, I was working in IT data centres in Manchester but I'd had enough of sitting in an office. It drove me mad.
"My dad owned the Quarry here, so I came to work on it, just doing bees at the weekend. But the bees slowly became my full-time job.
"It is so much more than just the bees. Part of the reason for leaving my job in IT was to reconnect with the world and nature.
"We now have five staff, and six years ago we bought out a supplier to expand and sell modern beekeeping equipment across the globe.
"Beekeeping is everything to me. It is great to have this ability to immerse yourself into this little world to see what they are doing.
"The smells of the hives are amazing. You get huge withdrawal systems over winter, you really do miss it.
"There's nothing like that first nice day in spring when you can get back out to the hives."
Their next beekeeping taster cause, following a successful trial in May, will take place on what could be one of the warmest days of the year in July.
Lunch and printed materials to take home are included, as well as the expertise and activities on the day. It costs £150pp.
Looking forward to the next 15 years, they would like to introduce more events, beyond just the new taster days.
When asked, what humans could learn from bees, Paul joked: "Probably that we should all get along a little better."
Each jar they sell comes with food or drink pairing recommendations, and added value also comes to the customer with the knowledge that you are supporting a local company.
"Looking forward I'd like to increase the amount of bees we have and carry on as we are", added Paul.
"We currently have hives in Rainow, Bollington, Macclesfield and here in Kerridge."
Sometimes they even bring the bees to town centres, to educate the public. This is done in a bee-safe observation chamber, usually displayed at LOVE Bollington Market.
The 21st century has seen a decline in UK honey production, according to the European Commission.
Happy Valley Honey employee Sally Egerton explained what changes she'd like to see the government make.
"[I'd like Westminster] to stop importing honey from non-EU countries, so that bee farmers get a chance to sell their produce at what it is worth."
"Honey is the most adulterated product in the entire world. It is the biggest food fraud going. Places outside of the world will feed their bees so much syrup that they won't have to go out and forage. We don't do that.
"And they turn the syrup into honey, which allows them to sell it very cheaply. That's why you can go into a supermarket and get what you think is a jar of honey very cheaply.
"That is not what it costs. Bee farmers are missing out big time, and they are losing out to a not quality product in the supermarkets."
Paul finished off with this:
"We're a proper true quality product that really says what it is, and supports the local community," concluded Paul.
You can follow Happy Valley Honey on Facebook or Instagram.
Macclesfield: They also have a website, where you can order pots for your home or business.
See Also: New Macclesfield restaurant and café gains alcohol licence
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