EXPERIENCED BEEKEEPERS WANTED FOR SOLIHULL'S ON-SITE APIARY

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Did you know Solihull has its very own apiary here at the plant? Cared for by volunteer beekeepers, Solihull’s three hives will grow to hold 150,000 honey bees as part of a project to introduce hives across all of our sites.

Started by TIC team The Bees Knees, Solihull’s first Flow Hive was installed at Solihull back in 2019, with the aim of boosting colleagues’ well-being and bolstering the plant's green credentials.

With two further Flow Hives added over the course of last year, the project is part of a wider plan to establish apiaries across Jaguar Land Rover’s different sites - with the aim of providing a home for 1 million honey bees.

Honey from the Solihull apiary’s first harvest is now on sale at the Jaguar Land Rover Experience Centre, with funds raised going towards the bees' upkeep.

In addition to Solihull’s successful colonies, volunteers have got the green light to introduce apiaries to Fen End, Whitley and Halewood.

Dean Clarke, who works for MP&L and is the team’s lead beekeeper, said: “I use beekeeping to support mental health well being and the Solihull apiary is open to anyone who would like to get involved or looking to take up beekeeping through our on-site mentoring programme.

“All of the proceeds from the sale of our honey will go back into maintaining the bees – we’re also hoping to have enough money to pay for an annual field trip for children at our on-site nursery so they can learn more about bees and the environment.”

If you have experience of beekeeping and would like to get involved, get in touch with dclark25@jaguarlandrover.com.