THE Kidderminster Beekeepers Association has set up a teaching apiary at Heightington thanks to an Xpression Leisure grant from Wyre Forest District Council.

The new apiary will help novice beekeepers to learn practical skills, such as the handling of bees and developing colonies.

David Mills, who runs the Kidderminster beekeepers group, said: “Once the apiary is established in the coming season, we hope to have more people wanting to take up beekeeping.

“As a small branch, we simply didn’t have the funds to do this without the Xpression grant. There is a huge interest in beekeeping locally and we wanted to enable people to have a taste of beekeeping before they invested in their own equipment.

“Many people show interest in keeping bees but are disappointed if they don't get a good crop of honey but, on the way, pick up a few stings.”

Conservative councillor, Marcus Hart, the district council’s cabinet member for community and partnership services said: “It’s great to see the Xpression grant being used to encourage newcomers to beekeeping.

“Wyre Forest is proud of its rural heritage and it’s always positive to see this tradition being taken forward by sharing skills and enthusiasm.”

The Xpression leisure grant scheme is designed to open up new opportunities for groups or individuals who are taking part in arts, sports, environmental and heritage activities.

The scheme, which incorporates the Ray Mercer Sporting Foundation awards, is intended to support small, local projects and people in achieving their potential.

Individuals can apply for a maximum of £400 and groups/clubs, up to £1,000.

The next deadline for the Xpression grant scheme is April 16.

For more information and an application form, visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

KidderminsterBeekeepers Association started in 2009 with 25 members. By the end of the year this figure had doubled to 50.

Kidderminster is one of six branches of the Worcestershire Beekeepers Association which, in turn, is a member of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA).

For more information, contact David Mills on 01299 253035 or email mills669@btinternet.com