Blendworth Hills offers a secure home to eight beehives.

James Wheeldon’s honeybees were in desperate need of a new site to call home, so James reached out across social media and even ended up on BBC Radio!

Blendworth Hills Community and Wellbeing Manager, Diane McEwen heard about the plight of his James’ bees and reached out offering a quiet area. James accepted and moved in his eight beehives, which are the focal point of his charity ‘Beekeeping for Hope’, so his bees, including a retired queen bee, are now safe.

James was also looking for a full-time job, and after hearing so much about Inspired Villages, he approached Blendworth Hills and asked to join the team. They accepted, and he is now working on the grounds and maintenance team, where he’ll also be helping the residents with beekeeping, bird spotting and foraging classes.

James’ charity has also been selected as the chosen charity by the local Tesco Superstores as part of their ‘Blue Token’ scheme. The scheme raised a staggering £1,000 for Beekeeping for Hope, which James plans to use for new beekeeping suits and educational props to raise awareness of just how vital bees are to the ecosystem.

If you’d like to try a spot of beekeeping yourself, then please call Diane McEwen on 07880 316 235 or email [email protected] and she’ll get it booked in.