On Sunday 19 May 2024, members of Wakefield and Pontefract Beekeepers Association joined the celebrations for World Bee Day at Thornes Park. The event, organised by Mindful Movers, brought together local community groups including the Wakefield College Horticultural Team and Open Country, creating a vibrant showcase of nature, wellbeing, and community spirit.
The weather was glorious, and the turnout was fantastic – visitors flocked to explore, ask questions, and share their enthusiasm for bees and pollinators.
Bees, Learning and Engagement
Our stand was buzzing with activity throughout the day. Visitors were drawn to the observation hive, offering a close-up look at honey bees at work. The virtual hive gave families a chance to learn about beekeeping safely, while our honey tasting table proved as popular as ever.
We also used the opportunity to promote Asian hornet awareness, sharing vital information about identification, reporting, and the importance of vigilance in protecting our native pollinators.
Community Effort and Success
A huge thank you goes to the members who made the event such a success: Graham Browster, Michael Sykes, Richard Thompson, Melvyn Hallas, Julie Oxley, and Josephine Anderson from Halifax BKA. Your energy, knowledge, and warmth made our stand a welcoming and educational space for all.
Supporting the Association
As well as raising awareness, the day helped raise funds for the association. We sold 27 jars of association honey and earned £19.45 in commission through the sale of members’ products – every penny going back into supporting training, education, and apiary development.
Looking Ahead
Events like World Bee Day remind us how much the public cares about bees and how important it is to share our knowledge. Thank you to everyone who visited, volunteered, or stopped for a chat – together we’re keeping Wakefield buzzing.