How it all began…

It started with just a couple of hives in our back garden. Seeing the bees on the flowers, on the local hedgerows, and around the village, was (and still is) very satisfying. Knowing there would be an abundance of fruit and vegetables due to our industrious bees made us smile. However, it wasn’t long before we discovered that being responsible for a couple of colonies is not always awe inspiring. Beekeeping can also be pretty hard work. Learning to understand and anticipate what is going on inside a hive, and to predict it before it happens is possibly the toughest part. Then there's the heavy lifting and other physically difficult tasks involved, especially around harvest time. We stuck with it and beekeeping has not only proven to be very rewarding but an absolute antidote to the stress of modern life. When Justin has been at his desk all day or for me, the day after a 12 hour shift, we’ve got an escape hatch with the bee garden. Just 5 minutes time out watching them coming and going is just soothing, it’s good for the soul.

As many Beeks can often testify, a couple of hives was just the beginning. Our apiary seems to grow year on year and we have hives at a few sites around our local area now. The bees repay us for their custodianship with lots of honey and beeswax and we love to use it in our products. Honey is the ultimate additive in skincare, helping skin retain moisture as well as helping to make extra lather. Beeswax makes the bar a little harder which helps it last a bit longer. Our offerings were always in high demand with family, friends and colleagues, especially around Christmas time and our business grew organically. Now much of the honey and beeswax from these hives are included in our products but when we run out we approach other keepers who we know have similar ideals.

Soapmaking has provided a much needed artistic outlet. I love it because every batch made is unique so there's natural variation with slight colour and shape differences. We use the cold process method. A traditional technique where oils and butters are mixed with an alkali (sodium hydroxide) without the use of heat - hence the name 'Cold Process'. Bars are then left to cure for up to 6 weeks. The end result is a good quality, mild soap that performs well for all skin types. Aside from all that, a handcrafted bar of REAL soap and a tin of honey beeswax lip balm are something pretty special; with luxury oils, butters, and pure essential oils in the mix it's those tiny things that bring joy.... both to use and to make. We love essential oils and recognise they can have benefits beyond just scent. The benefits of aromatherapy can help with everything from easing stress to invigorating the spirit.

Finally….(thanks for sticking with us and reading this far!) we love and support all bees, not just the honeys, who tend to be the poster girls of the pollinator world. We are pleased to be able to work together with you to help protect wild spaces; both a home and food source for bees and other wildlife and a place to nurture the soul for us humans. With your help, we are able to donate 1% of annual sales to the Wildlife Trust who are involved in a number of bee protection projects.

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Small scale honey producers serving the local community. Help the honey bees by supporting your beekeeper.