When people think about beekeeping, Kilburn in northwest London is not necessarily one of the places that springs immediately to mind.
However, that has all changed with the delivery of a new beehive and hive of bees as part of the exciting regeneration plans for Carlton Vale Boulevard. Professional training was also provided to five residents on how to become a beekeeper.
The new beehive will join an existing hive in the Energy Garden at Brondesbury Park Rail Station. Energy Garden is a community benefit society that maintains a network of 34 thriving green plots on train platforms across London. Energy Garden supported residents to create The Beeline at Brondesbury Park station in 2018.
This space, which includes wildflower meadows and beehives, allows people in Kilburn to grow food and promote biodiversity and sustainability in their local area. Following on from the success of Brent's Bee Corridor, where 22 wildflower meadows were planted across the borough, this initiative offers residents living in an urban regeneration area a real opportunity to contribute to increasing Brent's bee population.
Councillor Shama Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property & Planning, said: "The Energy Garden at Brondesbury Park Rail Station will provide residents with a great space to start their beekeeping journey within the borough.
"When you think of beekeeping, it's probably not something that you associate with an urban and built-up area, such as Kilburn. I can't think of anywhere else in London that offers that. I wish the residents the very best of luck in their new passion and hobby. People will know where to come for their honey now!"
Councillor Cllr Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "These small projects are just what we need in London to help tackle the climate emergency, enhance biodiversity and improve our carbon footprint. It's also terrific that we have residents who want to get involved, roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. I wish our resident beekeepers the very best of luck.”
Agamemnon Otero, Founder and CEO of Energy Garden, says: "Energy Garden is proud to support Brent Council in their mission to expand environmental initiatives in the borough. This builds on our platform of working with communities, councils and network providers like the NHS and TfL to improve access to green space across London. We are excited to welcome the new bees and trainee beekeepers into our space at Brondesbury Park to work alongside the local community members who tend to this garden.'
GM Design Associates Limited, the company appointed by Brent Council to lead proposals for the regeneration of Carlton Vale, South Kilburn, is donating the new beehive and beekeeping suits.
