'Sweet reminder healing happens in more ways than one' Hospital bees' honey crop

TWO hives introduced to the grounds of Bristol's biggest hospital have begun producing honey, just over a year after the special ‘gentle and calm’ bees arrived.

- Tristan CORK

North Bristol NHS Trust invited a local beekeeper Derek Allen to set up the hives in the grounds of Southmead Hospital, after health bosses decided having bees buzzing around the gardens would be good for staff and patients.

Mr Allen installed the hives and brought in a particularly friendly species of honey bee, given that the hospital grounds are frequented by patients as well as visitors and staff. He said so far the bees have been a success, and they are now producing the first summer's harvest of honey.