Photo - Alan Mak MP with John Geden and his damaged apiary
Havant MP Alan Mak has pledged his support for local beekeeper and honey producer John Geden’s efforts to rebuild his bee apiary. Mr Geden, who founded Sinah Common Honey, recently started an appeal through a crowdfunding website to help rebuild the 11 bee colonies and equipment destroyed by Storm Katie on 27th March 2016.
Mr Mak visited the damaged hives along with the rest of Mr Geden’s home-based production at Sinah Common on Hayling Island. Mak, who is a keen supporter of the diverse ecology and environment in his Havant constituency, urged the public to help the unique local business back to its feet by donating to the crowd funding effort.
Sinah Common Honey is a small scale local organic honey producer managing a total of thirty-five colonies of honeybees on four apiary sites. The bees produce raw honey from the nectar of plants in a very specific area, and the company pride themselves in the locality and freshness of their produce.
In addition to selling honey directly to the public at local farmers markets and food festivals , Sinah Common Honey also offers swarm rescue services, courses, beekeeping experiences and pollination services as well as talks to local groups about the endangered honeybee.
Mr Geden, a former soldier and policeman, is hoping to raise £2000 to help resurrect his production capacity and save the local population of bees. Anyone wishing to contribute should follow this link: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/honeybee-apiary-re-build
Mr Mak said: “I hope that local residents support John and Sinah Common Honey in their efforts to revive this terrific local small business. Let’s help John’s get back on his feet as the busy summer season approaches.”
Mr Geden said: “I was devastated when I found all of the beehives lying scattered on the ground and had to sweep up piles of wet chilled dead bees. Not only is it a personal blow to me because it has wiped out a third of my production capacity in my first year of trading, but also the honeybee is in such drastic decline and this loss is terrible for the local environment.
“The UK honeybee population has declined by up to 60% in the last 50 years and I am trying hard to re-establish their numbers on Sinah Common, which is a beautiful and environmentally sensitive area. I am glad my local MP Alan Mak is supporting my cause.”