Surrey Bees sponsor schools

Each year we nominate a state school to help set up a beekeeping club. This year, 2025, we helped set up Garth Hill School in Bracknell with their own hives and equipment. We do this through our supportive membership network.

Lorraine Ragosa-Rout said ” We were approached by Garth Hill School who have been preparing for their bees for 2 years, with the children making a bee friendly garden for them. However, funding to attend training courses, purchase hives, bees and the equipment needed was out of reach for them. I initiated a scheme with our 250 members, that I would go out to their apiaries to support them with whatever manipulation/inspections they needed in return for a donation to the school fund. This worked wonders as it provided extra support to the membership, as well as interesting sessions with our members for me, and money for the school. We managed to raise over £500 for the school and I am was happy to provide the other £500 in order for the school to purchase what was needed to get set up.”

Now that the 2 teachers have been trained and have gained confidence during the season, they have now set up the beekeeping club so the children can also be actively involved. The children are looking forward to their honey extraction session at the end of the month. We look forward to hearing about their progress.