How it came to bee

We want to narrate the inception of The South Lakes Honey and introduce the key figures behind it. The company's Director, Joe Lydon, embarked on his journey at Cowran Estate years ago, initially enrolling as one of the first students at the educational centre during his youth.

Driven by a profound passion for animals, Joe pursued qualifications in animal care and subsequently assumed mentoring roles for new and young students. His experiences in the food sector, livestock management, and horticulture during his time at Cowran Estate had a significant impact on him, fostering not just a new appreciation for life and wildlife but also a deep connection to the land.

After spending nearly nine years at the estate in diverse roles, Joe initially engaged in photography for the estate before venturing into wildlife photography. His extensive exploration of the environment and study of wildlife inspired him to formulate a conservation plan. This plan aimed at adopting a holistic management approach towards modern agriculture: spurred by his observations during visits to large-scale farms, the imperative for sustainable practices in livestock management and land use. Both Joe and the estate team embarked on a journey towards environmental consciousness and changes in modern practices towards agriculture.

Joe's growing interest in beekeeping led him to purchase a hive, eagerly awaiting the summer months. A notification of a swarm, detailed in the blog titled "Swarms of Bees," marked the beginning of their beekeeping journey. This journey resulted in the expansion of hives and a return to the estate to build and grow the apiary. Their current focus is on making a positive impact on the environment surrounding them.

The introduction of beeswax products presented an opportunity to establish a business that aligns with the vision and plans for enhancing biodiversity on the farm. This vision extends to much larger plans in the future.

In a previous blog titled "Been Kind to the Environment," various conservation areas were explored, along with plans for making small changes that yield significant impacts.

Through our shop, we aim to provide you with products that offer opportunities for minor changes within your home, garden, or backyard. We want everyone, including our customers and the public, to be involved and have the chance to experience beekeeping. In the future, we aspire to host days on the estate where we can collectively share experiences and knowledge while contributing to something wholesome and beneficial for the environment.

Managed by family and friends so far, The South Lakes Honey Company has received positive responses from the public and new customers encountered on this journey. In future plans and concepts, we aim to showcase a thriving, biodiverse network of changes that create a welcoming and inviting space for people within nature alongside wildlife.

One concept currently in progress is the Conservation Project for Barrow-in-Furness at Cavendish Dock, extending to Rampside. While this is initially a concept project, we hope to update you on the progress made towards new projects.

You can visit J.LydonMedia via Facebook inc The Conservation concept using the links below

J.LydonMedia

Conservation Project