Dillon is just a little honey
Reporter Mark meets beekeeping group
Busy little beekeeper Dillon McCretton looks, well, just sweeter than honey as he goes about his work
The four-year-old is the youngest member of Avondale Community Beekeepers. Under his mum’s watchful eye, Dillon is one of a growing number of young people who just love beekeeping thanks to the group’s efforts.
●Read all about the apiarists’ hive of activity on
The East Kilbride News was buzzing after being invited along to experience the Avondale Community Beekeepers’ work first hand.
It has been a busy year for the group who, after landing a £20,000 National Lottery windfall as winners of the Glasgow West People’s Project, have set up several new nucleus colonies of avid honey-makers.
They now have more than 40 hives in various locations around Strathaven and Stonehouse.
The new beehives have been placed at local schools as well as family gardens in the area, which are all keen to adopt their own bees.
Interest in beekeeping is growing and there are now 60 adults and children involved with the group.
Moira Warnock is one of their most experienced beekeepers and she has three hives at her home near the Strathaven Ales Brewery.
News reporter Mark Pirie went along to meet the family, keen to discover how their hobby gives them such a buzz.
Protective clothing on, including hat and veil, Moira and son Dillon McCretton (4) showed Mark around the hives.
They were joined by Sandford youngsters Amy Hall and Lucy Taylor, both 10, as they went to meet the vital pollinators.
The three hives near the brewery each have around 10,000 bees, with a threetiered system aiming to keep the Queen in the lower half of the hive.
The honey is collected and sold at gala days and other events throughout the year – with the proceeds going to group’s work.
Moira told the News that she enjoys looking after the bees – and thinks it is great for the kids.
“We’ve had the bees since May and we have the three biggest hives here, so have become almost the de facto headquarters,” said the mum-of-two.
“We’re always busy and have built up quite a collection of honey this year.”
She continued: “Dillon enjoys it and he is very confident around the bees now.
“When you go out and see them for the first time it can be overwhelming, but Dylan is very good at knowing when he wants to get up close or step away.
“That’s one of the best things about having them here, to see all the kids enjoying it.”
Young Dillon added: “I like having them in our garden.”
Mark admitted that it was something different, if not daunting seeing the bees buzzing around, saying: “It was a good experience and not something you get to do every day!
“When the first layer came off there was only a couple of bees, which doesn’t seem that bad.
“Then, with each layer that comes off more and more start flying around you and, although the suit looked a bit silly, I was glad to be wearing it.
“It’s something I would definitely try again!” ●If you are keen to learn new skills, improve your local environment and have fun at the same time, find out more from the Beekeepers on Facebook.
When you see the bees for the first time it can be overwhelming Moira Warnock