The on-site beekeeper at a Yate housing development is calling on the local community for help looking after the smallest and busiest residents at the site.  

Alan Stott from Chipping Sodbury, who’s in his 80s, has managed numerous hives at David Wilson Homes’ community at Ladden Garden Village in Yate for four years.

After tending to beehives around South Gloucestershire for more than a decade, he’s looking for some assistance and staff from David Wilson Homes are hoping members of the local community can help Alan look after the site’s pollenating honey-makers.  

Louise Ware, sales director at Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, said: “The well-established hives – which can home 60,000 bees in the summer months – have thrived at Ladden Garden Village for years and it’s all thanks to Alan. He has tirelessly cared for the development’s honeybee colonies and we’d love to find someone who can assist him. 

“We’re keen to hear from anyone who’s interested in this voluntary role who’s available for a few hours a week. We can share more information with them about the job and what goes into helping with the hives and those who remain keen on pursuing the opportunity can attend an introductory beekeeping course, fully funded by us.”

LiveWest, the largest housing association in the South West, has collaborated with the community through The Ladden Garden Village Community Group supporting residents to help fund and organise environmental awareness through community events and projects. 

Marie Burke, community connector for LiveWest, said: “We’re really excited to be able to support another project and have done previous events such as the sunflower project and the Bees Needs event last year, as well as the Wild Things workshops.  Ladden Garden Village is a lovely place to be, and the community here work hard to put on activities and make it a great place to live.


“It’s quite rare to get beehives for people to enjoy at a development and having something like this brings people together. Alan is a great asset to the community and gives his time freely to look after the bees, so we really appreciate having him here. I fully support this brilliant learning opportunity for residents so that he can pass on his knowledge and skills to the next generation of beekeepers.”