A company which keeps 'lots of happy bees' and produces a range of honey products has made an exciting announcement for aspiring beekeepers this summer.
The Saddleworth Honey Company stocks dozens of shops and supermarkets with its ethically and locally sourced honey, including Alimentari Di Alberti Greengrocers in Uppermill as well as Diggle Lock, Dobcross Post Office and Village Store, Limekiln Cafe, Well-i-Hole Farm Shop and many more across the borough.
Since its inception in 2020, the business has been 'buzzing' as the married couple, Lyndsay and Jonathan, found a demand for locally sourced and wholesome honey.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts
The duo from Springhead explained how sales went "through the roof" in lockdown as people "wanted to shop local".
The company has more than 100 hives dotted across Saddleworth and Oldham which makes their honey "one hundred per cent pure produce" as opposed to the manufactured and watered-down products sold in supermarkets.
Jonathan, who has been keeping bees for more than 15 years, said: "We don’t blend anything - it is one hundred per cent pure produce, most supermarkets add sugar and water to reduce the quality and the price. We do not do that.
"(Our) honey is made in different locations across Saddleworth to give it a different taste.
"There is a difference in taste in the honey that is made in Greenfield than there is in the honey that is made in Springhead.
"The taste is based on the environment, the flowers and the seasonality.”
The Saddleworth Honey Company not only sells jars of its sweet honey and heather honeycomb but has created other products, including lip balms, a soothing balm for dogs' paws and noses, beeswax candles and honey soaps, which are environmentally friendly, all-natural and palm-oil-free.
The company also offers education and speaks to school pupils about the importance of bees.
Last year, it bought out a retiring bee farmer to double the number of hives it sells, allowing it to produce even more honey and establish a dedicated apiary for new beekeepers.
Now, the company has made the exciting announcement it will be offering several different courses for aspiring beekeepers starting in May this year.
This includes an introductory and interactive beekeeping workshop, called 'Beekeeping Basics', which aims to give participants a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of beekeeping - plus hands-on experience with the bees.
The pair said the course is designed for beginners and the hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the world of bees and beekeeping, including discovering the critical roles bees play in our ecosystem, understanding the life cycle of bees, equipment essentials and tools of the trade, hive management, and honey harvesting.
The second course, 'Mastering the Hive', is tailored towards helping participants become competent beekeepers, delving deeper into the science and art of beekeeping.
This will include advanced hive management, bee health and disease prevention, sustainable beekeeping practices, and honey and beeswax processing.
The couple added: "Beekeeping is not just about honey, it’s about learning to care for these fascinating creatures.
"Let’s make 2024 a year to remember in the beekeeping world.
"Spread the word and let’s get buzzing with knowledge."
The Saddleworth Honey Company has also hinted at a range of new products that will be coming out this year, including natural skincare "designed with sustainability and wellness in mind" as the business expands further with even more apiaries - which means new flavours of honey.
Got a story? Get in touch with me via email Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here