VOLUNTEERS looking after an Ashton-under-Lyne park would be ‘buzzing’ if they can find a swarm of beekeepers.
Beekeeper Sue Screen has retired following 12 years of service, after her husband Ian set up the hives in King George the Fifth Playing Fields and an observation hive, where people can watch the bees at work without getting stung.
She was assisted over the last couple of years by Kevin Haynes, but he has retired due to an injury.
The park’s friends group – established in 2012 with the aim of making the park a better place for local residents – is urgently looking for a beekeeper to look after the hives and make the Georgie Porgies honey to sell in the cafe.
The group is also in need of some assistant beekeepers to help out.
Alan Fish, Chair of Friends of King George the Fifth Playing Fields, said: “We have a room full of all the bee equipment, even an extractor to put the honey into jars.
“If you are a beekeeper and would like to manage the bees in King Georges or just help out, email alan.fish.161te@gmail.com or call 07931 765120.
“We don’t want to lose our buzzing bees that make our honey, but we do need more volunteers to help us to make King Georges a better place for our communities.”
Meanwhile, members of the friends group sprung into action for a Spring Clean Day in the Georgie Porgies cafe to get ready for summer.
Volunteers Manhar Patel, Colin Chadwick, Martin Reece and Manager Tracy Rees collected their ‘wages’ after the clean-up – a mug of tea!
More volunteers are also being sought to help run the cafe inside the park.
Anyone who is able to help can contact Tracy on tracyrees@hotmail.co.uk or 07752 801283.