Northern Roots launches free trainee beekeeping programme

Would you like to learn about beekeeping and explore it as a business opportunity?

Northern Roots has just launched its free Trainee Beekeeping programme and it’s open to anyone living or working in Oldham.

Northern Roots is creating the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park on 160-acres of green space in the heart of Oldham.

The Northern Roots site is adjacent to Oldham’s award-winning Alexandra Park and runs all the way down to Park Bridge Heritage Centre.

With initial support from Oldham Council, Northern Roots will be developed in a way that creates jobs, skills and business opportunities for local people, while preserving and enhancing the biodiversity and environmental value of the site.

One of Northern Roots’ first pilot projects is the Northern Roots Trainee Beekeeping programme, an opportunity for local people and community groups in Oldham to learn about beekeeping and explore it as a business opportunity.

The project will be led by local beekeeper Cath Charnock, who comes with a wealth of expertise, a passion for engaging and supporting people, and a track record in running beekeeping projects.

Cath said: "I’m very excited about being awarded the Northern Roots Beekeeping Hub contract, meeting community groups and teaching people about bees.

"Everything about bees is good.

"They’re good for the environment, pollinating the flowers in our gardens and the food on our tables.

"Beekeeping offers many benefits: employment skills, practical skills, life skills, confidence.

"It's also a very mindful experience, the stresses and worries of the world just disappear for an hour or two."

The Northern Roots Trainee Beekeeping programme will be based at Alexandra Park Depot on Kings Road.

The programme will run for 11 months, is free to participants, and Northern Roots welcomes interest and applications from anyone living or working in the borough of Oldham.

During the programme you will learn how to care for a hive, handle bees and collect honey, learn how to breed queen bees, explore beekeeping as a business opportunity and develop bee products like honey, candles and lip balm to sell under the Northern Roots brand.

You’ll also benefit from a small share of any profits made on products you help create and market.

You can find out more and apply by Friday, June 26 via the Northern Roots website: https://northern-roots.uk/get-involved/beekeeping-hub/

Beekeeping has emerged as a strong interest during Northern Roots’ initial consultations with communities across Oldham.

The Northern Roots Trainee Beekeeping programme is part of the Northern Roots Beekeeping Hub, a longer-term project that will create a nucleus of skills which could expand in future onto the Northern Roots site and into community spaces across the borough.

Find out more about the Northern Roots project and how you can get involved at: www.northern-roots.uk

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.