Mellors Creates a Buzz with Launch of “Little Bee Keepers” Initiative!

Posted: 29th July 2025 | Category: Fundraising, Hospitality & Event

Mellors is abuzz with excitement as we unveil our latest initiative — Little Bee Keepers — a hands-on, interactive experience that brings real beehives into school outdoor spaces. At Mellors, we believe that food education goes far beyond the plate.

Recently launched at Lord Deramore’s Primary School, this bee-rilliant pilot project aims to roll out to more Mellors schools across North of England and Midlands.

The day kicked off with a whole-school assembly, where the Mellors team shared the purpose behind Little Bee Keepers — the benefits for children, the environment, and our food system. From learning how bees contribute to biodiversity to understanding where our food comes from.

This isn’t just about honey. It’s about helping children build a buzz-worthy awareness of sustainability, pollination, and the incredible work bees do every day to keep our ecosystems thriving. By placing live beehives in school gardens, we’re offering students a front-row seat to nature’s wonders.

The Little Bee Keepers initiative was inspired by three buzzing Mellors team members — Sarah, Nikki, and Emma. As a proud, family-run and award-winning school meals provider, Mellors was able to act quickly and bring this idea to life.

Sarah Weston, Mellors Area Manager, shared: “The response has been incredible — schools are absolutely buzzing to get involved!”

Backed by local bee experts and grounded in thorough research, our team is making sure the bees and students receive the highest standard of care.

Although still in its early days, the initiative is already spreading its wings — and its message — far and wide.

James Rourke, Headteacher at Lord Deramore Primary School said,

“We’re really excited to be starting the Little Bee Keepers project Mellors.”

“As a school passionate about outdoor learning and environmental education, this partnership is a perfect fit. Our students will be planting bee-friendly flowers and exploring the vital role bees play in biodiversity. It’s already creating a real buzz across the school!”

Nicola Ward, a parent said,

“The addition of a beehive is a wonderful step in Lord Deramore’s commitment to wildlife. At a time when 1 in 6 species in Yorkshire are at risk, this project fosters a love of nature and encourages the children to care deeply about their environment.”

Why Beehives in Schools?

Bees are more than just honey-makers — they are eco-superstars, pollinating a third of the food we eat. But with British bee populations declining by nearly 75% over the past century, it’s more important than ever to educate young minds about their importance.

By installing beehives in school outdoor spaces, we give students the opportunity to:

Get hands-on with beekeeping and pollination
Deepen their appreciation of biodiversity and sustainability
Learning where food really comes from and the work invovled to produce delicious honey
Gain real-world awareness of environmental and social responsibility

A big thank you to Lord Deramore’s Primary School for being the first to join the hive! We’re thrilled to see students learning, growing, and buzzing with excitement as they connect with nature through Mellors Little Bee Keepers.

Let’s keep the buzz going. Learn more about the initiative here:

Read More HERE