A pair of beehives have been installed in the gardens of the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow’s Southside, courtesy of voco Grand Central and Kimpton Blythswood Square.
The initiative aims to provide hospice patients with the therapeutic benefits of fresh honey in their diet, while also fostering their connection with nature and enhancing their overall wellbeing.
The donated beehives are now home to between 50,000 and 100,000 bees, already producing fresh honey for the hospice, and expected to produce an excess which will be jarred and sold in the hospice gift shop, with all proceeds going towards maintenance.
Both donating hotels are part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, under cluster general manager Marcello Ventisei, who alongside voco Grand Central director of facilities and engineering, Donna Doig, donned beekeeper suits to inspect the working hives.
Marcello said: “We are thrilled to be able to contribute to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in such a meaningful way.
“I hope the honey produced by the hives brings a little sweetness to the day for hospice patients. I’ve tried the honey myself and can testify that it is delicious and like no honey I’ve ever tasted before.”
The beehives will also support the local ecosystem, as bees play a vital role in the pollination which is essential for the growth of flowers, fruits and vegetables. The establishment of the beehives will thus not only enhance the flora and fauna of the hospice gardens, but also contribute to the health and biodiversity of the wider natural surroundings.
Chief executive of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, Rhona Baillie OBE, said: “Thank you to the entire team at voco Grand Central and Kimpton Blythswood Square for their generous donation and support.
“The hives have already began producing delicious honey that we’ve been serving to patients with their breakfast, and the jars sold will help us continue to support families affected by a terminal diagnosis across the South of Glasgow and East Renfrewshire.”
The hives were installed – and will now be managed – by father-daughter beekeeping duo Katie and Edward O’Brien; owners of family run business Ed’s Bees. Katie emphasised how important bees are to the environment.
“Bees are incredibly vital to our ecosystem – without them, the world as we know it would rapidly decline. Bees pollinate trees and wildflowers, which then supports other insects, birds, bats, and other mammals. They also pollinate food crops and feed livestock – saving farmers millions of pounds in manual labour.
“The hotels have done a wonderful thing by donating these hives, and it’s been a pleasure to watch the bees thrive in their new home.”
