Celebratory walnut tree planting Shropshire Bee Keepers Association

On Thursday 16th May the British Beekeepers’ Association will celebrate their 150th anniversary.  To mark this special occasion the Shropshire Beekeepers’ Association (SBKA) have selected a walnut tree to plant in their traditional heritage orchard at the Conduit Head Apiary situated in Nobold Lane on the outskirts of Shrewsbury.  

Colonel Mark Cuthbert-Brown DL  and Mrs Katherine Garnier DL were delighted to be invited to plant the walnut tree.    Joining them at the ceremony were Brian Goodwin (SBKA President), Glyn Williams (SBKA Chair), and Joyce Nisbet (Link Trustee SBKA) and many other members of SBKA.    The planting was followed by delicious homemade cakes and coffee served in the recently restored Edwardian pump house which serves as a visitor centre and meeting room.   

Founded in 1875, SBKA are one of the oldest beekeeping societies in the UK and one of the earliest to join the British Beekeeping Association.  They work to promote and further the craft of beekeeping throughout Shropshire by supporting experienced beekeepers and training new enthusiasts to care for and enjoy our valuable honeybee.    Their ambition is to demonstrate beekeeping on the site and to maintain different wildlife habitats for the education and enjoyment of all visitors.

Since taking over the derelict and unloved Conduit Head site in 2018, a group of dedicated volunteers have transformed the area, which covers approximately 1.5 acres, into a haven for wildlife including a wide variety of micro-environments and ecosystems.  In addition to the heritage orchard, planted with advice from the Marcher Apple Network using local apple, pears and plum trees, they have developed wildflower meadows, woodland and hedgerows, a pond and borehole fed stream with water plants, a garden vegetable and flower beds.  It is now home to birds and bats, sticklebacks and crucian carp, newts, frogs and toads, insects and hedgehogs.  

Further information and opening hours for visitors can be found at https://shropshirebees.co.uk/ or by emailing contact@shropshirebees.co.uk

Photo From Left.  

Glyn Williams – Shropshire Bee Keepers Chair
Joyce Nisbet – Link Trustee SBKA
Mark Cuthbert-Brown DL
Katherine Garnier DL
Brian Goodwin – SBKA  President