LONDON, ENGLAND — Lancaster London’s buzzing beehives have been working overtime this summer, and the latest harvest has just proved how industrious the bees have been.
80 kilograms of the pure liquid gold has been harvested from just three of the ten rooftop beehives this month, with one hive producing a record-breaking 40kg of honey by itself. With half a million bees toiling away, Lancaster London has ensured that the endangered honey bees of England have a genuine chance at survival.
To further safeguard the honey bee species, Lancaster London is organising and hosting the London Honey Show on Monday, 8 October 2012, from 6pm. It is the second outing of the show following the success of last year’s event. Awards in categories such as ‘Best Home Honey’ and ‘Best Honey Packaging’ will be given to worthy competitors, with the prize for ‘London Beekeeper of the Year 2012’ being the most coveted. Entries can be made via www.londonbees.com/london-honey-show.
In addition, there will be stalls, exhibits and activities, all with a honey theme. Guest speakers and a fundraising tombola will be featured, as well as displays of bee hives. Entry will cost £1 to maximise the money raised for the event’s chosen charity, Bees Action Network.
In 2009, Lancaster London became the first central London hotel to install beehives on its roof. There are now ten hives in total all surrounded by bee friendly plants in the rooftop garden to help nurture the bee collective. The hotel’s “Bee Team” cares for the bees and carries out the harvesting of the honey.
The honey is used in Lancaster London’s award-winning restaurant Island Grill, providing guests with an eco-friendly accompaniment to breakfast. Pots of honey are also offered to honeymooning couples and VIP guests.
The introduction of the beehives is part of the hotel’s ongoing eco-friendly initiatives. Its motto “Walk Softly on the Planet” has led to a recent £11.5 million “green” refurbishment of the hotel’s kitchens and vast banqueting spaces, as well as involvement with eco-friendly charities such as Let’s Go Let’s Grow.
Lancaster London’s commitment to protecting the environment is reflected in its many recent awards for eco-friendly practices. It was named AA Eco Hotel of the Year 2012 and The Considerate Hotel of the Year 2012, as well as being awarded a Gold Star in the Green Tourism for Business Scheme 2012. Island Grill was recently awarded the highest rating of Three Stars by the Sustainable Restaurant Association. (Lancaster London, Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY — Reservations on 020 7262 6737 or visit www.lancasterlondon.com)