A PAIR of sisters and lifelong friends have built a thriving honey farm business after a beekeeping hobby turned into more than 60 hives.
Sticky Sisters Honey, in Highlands View in Neacroft, is ran by sisters, Jane Adams and Ann Blake, along with long-time friends, Garry and Teresa Elcock.
Jane and Ann began their beekeeping journey in 2016 when a lady at a local market sold them their first hive, and soon passed down her equipment after her passing.
“She was our inspiration,” said Jane.
After being friends since they were teenagers, Ann suggested to Teresa that their land would make a perfect space for bees.
Hesitant to commit alone, the sisters launched a partnership with husband and wife, Teresa and Garry in 2019.
Everyone in the group were novice beekeepers, with the couple retired police officers and later owning a catering business, Jane a retired A&E nurse and Ann’s background in managing homes for adults with mental learning disabilities.
“We are novice beekeepers but where our experience is lacking, we make up for in enthusiasm,” said Teresa.
When the Covid pandemic hit, the group decided to share their honey with the community and began delivering products on bicycles.
She added: “Lockdown helped us with launching our vision, which was local honey for local people.”
What started as three hives has now grown to 60, around five and a half years later.
Speaking on the inspiration behind their memorable name, Jane said: “Well, we’re sisters and we get sticky!”
While selling their honey, Ann created a natural remedy for her dog’s skin condition and later developed a range of honey-based bathing products.
“We wanted the products to support the bees in their down season, because bees only produce honey in the summer but there is a lot of preparation and maintenance for the beekeepers in the winter,” said Ann.
Sticky Sisters now have hives in four locations, offering different flavours, in Neacroft, Meyrick Estates in Bournemouth, Bisterne Estates in Sandford and in Ringwood.
The business’ products can be purchased online on the Sticky Sisters website, in person in Neacroft or at local events.
They also offer free delivery within 10 miles.
Customers wanting to try before they buy can visit the honey kitchen at its pop-up shop on November 30, December 1, December 21 and December 22.
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