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At Claudia Bradby two of our core values are passion and kindness.
We are passionate about beautiful pearls, and also about being a company for good – we believe that businesses have a responsibility to have a positive impact on the world. Inspired by Claudia’s beekeeping, we are supporting the UK native honey bee (apis mellifera mellifera) with our 1% for the planet donation.
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We launched this initiative in February 2021, and will be supporting the excellent B4 community project in our first year.
The launch coincides with Claudia's new honey bee coin range of jewellery, offering a new currency for a new, more connected world. Inspired by the honey bee which is only as healthy as the hive it works with, we believe we are stronger together.
The Eden Project connects people with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future. Eden is an educational charity. Money raised supports transformational projects and learning programmes.
‘We love bees, especially Apis mellifera mellifera and bumbles and …. On the walk down towards the main Eden entrance are three hives containing our Native Dark European Honey Bee colonies managed by Rodger Dewhurst. Their inhabitants feast on the gorse, heather and forest garden plants in this area. We tell the story of the Cornish Native Honey bee next to Bombus the bee, an installation by Robert Bradford. She sits centre stage in front the Biomes amidst a year-round display of plants for pollinators. The Biomes themselves took inspiration from honeycombs. Hexagons; maximum strength, minimum materials. ​
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Ideas for a pollination trail between the giant bee and a contemporary bee observation hive in the ‘Wild Cornwall’ exhibit on the edge of the Eden site are being designed. www.edenproject.com/giant-bee
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Eden gives bees a chance with spectacular new observation hive. https://www.edenproject.com/media/2019/10/eden-gives-bees-a-chance-with-spectacular-new-observation-hive
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B4 is delighted to have been involved with the construction of The Hive Mind at the Eden Project. This was a collaboration of efforts from: B4Project Eden Project Heritage Lottery Fund CAUKIN 1% for the Planet. https://www.facebook.com/caukinstudio/videos/870229850045973/
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Plan Bee art exhibition in February 2019 at Eden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jQoNIhdKq4
University of Plymouth
The University of Plymouth and B4 have won funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) for a join project. B4 will be the Case (Collaborative awards in science and engineering) partner for a NERC funded a PhD student starting September 2017. Washington State University is also a partner.
The PhD will be investigating the genomic and phenotypic basis of local adaptation in the native dark honey bee Apis mellifera mellifera.
The University of Plymouth is taking DNA samples and analysing colony characteristics. This is an opportunity to take part in one of the most detailed DNA testing and phenotypic surveys of bees ever held in England.
Email Victoria for details beesurvey@plymouth.ac.uk
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https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/pr-opinion/opinion-how-do-we-protect-our-native-bee-species
The Duchy
Twenty native dark honey bee colonies have been established on Duchy land in Lostwithiel and near to Callington in Cornwall. These sites have been chosen as they will hopefully provide ideal conditions for the successful breeding of native dark honey bees.
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http://duchyofcornwall.org/news/duchy-helps-cornish-black-bees/
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The Lost Gardens of Heligan
With help from the B4 Project and Rodger Dewhurst, the Lost Gardens of Heligan have created a completely new, covered interpretation facility in the shape of a human-sized beehive complete with information panels. An observation hive, queen breeding apidea area and a number of new colonies in WBC hives form part of the display. Heligan’s interpretation of the Cornish Dark Honey Bee and its critical relationship to its environment is visionary.
Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park was the B4Project’s first partner and took delivery of its first two colonies of Cornish Dark Honey Bees in May of 2013.
Beekeeper and retired police officer Gerry Stuart, of the Torbay branch of the British Beekeeper’s Association, based at Cockington, looks after the bees at Paignton Zoo.
Paignton Zoo spokesperson Phil Knowling said: “This bee is small, dark, tough and hairy and has survived in parts of Cornwall, Wales, the Western Isles and Ireland – it’s a real Celtic bee!”
Mike Bungard, Paignton Zoo’s Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates, said: “We wanted to introduce another invertebrate species into our collection and the black bee is ideal, because it is a native species that is in need of our help. Our role is to tell visitors about the black bee and what is being done to help it. The Paignton Zoo colony is one of the first outside Cornwall.”
The hives have been placed in the Zoo’s giant tortoise paddock, where the bee flight path is safely above and away from visitors.
Paignton Zoo is a member of the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.
Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park
On a glorious sunny day in one of our most beautiful country parks in the grounds of Mount Edgcumbe House, Cornwall, a crowd gathered to celebrate the opening of England’s first Black Bee Reserve.
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The tape was cut by Tim Smit, famous for creating the Eden Project and restoring the Lost Garden of Heligan.
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The spacious public viewing room allows close observation of the bees in the apiary, while educating the visitor about our native Dark European Honey Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera. Referred to as the Native Dark Honey Bee, it has been found to be thriving in Mount Edgcumbe Park and the surrounding Rame Peninsular, as well as in other parts of Cornwall.
Godolphin House
​Bob Black runs the B4 Native Honey Bee Apiary at the National Trust property Godolphin House as part of his Native Bee project across 5 sites in West Cornwall. Bob returned to bee keeping after a 30 year gap. He has been working with Native Honey Bees and breeding and selecting for native bee qualities on his sites and has been remarkably successful in a short space of time. Bob holds the precept that it is important to work with nature and science in order to achieve a viable population of honey bees.
Pollenize CIC
Pollenize CIC is a social enterprise that brings together the power of community and technology to reverse pollinator decline.
Accelerating pollinator awareness by introducing apiaries stocked with native European dark honey bees to high profile buildings in the centre of urban communities.
Gathering environmental intelligence data through remote hive sensing and honey pollen DNA analysis to improve the future resilience of urban pollinators and their habitats.
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Beebytes is a social enterprise providing genetic testing and related services for honey bees, pollinators, and their ecosystems. Beebytes offers cutting-edge, low-cost approaches which provide valuable insights, helping beekeepers and others working with pollinators identify issues and work to resolve them.
Beebytes can help with advice and support in areas such as native honey bee identification, bee breeding, pollinator conservation, insect health and habitat preservation and enhancement.
Loxwood Meadworks 1% for the Planet Donor
Loxwood Meadworks is an English honey wine producer based in Loxwood, West Sussex.
Founded in 2018 by Danny, who first discovered mead at the medieval festival he runs on his family farm in Loxwood. Impressed by the history and flavours, Danny set out on a mission to reimagine mead for a new generation. Partnering with Ritz-trained sommelier Emily with a shared vision to produce the world's best honey wine that does good for bees and the greater ecosystem.
Loxwood is a luxury honey wine with delicate and fresh flavours. Served chilled in a wine glass as an aperitif or with a meal: honey-glazed pork-belly, creamy pasta dish or, a cheese selection.
From medieval festival on to Michelin-tables, Loxwood Meadworks was born.
