Jersey Electricity : Beekeepers buzzing with Pride Award success

Our congratulations go to Jersey Beekeepers' Association (JBA) on winning the Jersey Electricity-sponsored Pride of Jersey Environmentalist/s Award 2017. The Association, celebrating its centenary year, received the award at the Pride Awards ceremony hosted by Graeme Le Saux and Nerina Pallot in the magnificent grounds of St John's Manor.

Now in their third year, the Jersey Evening Post Pride Awards have again proved hugely popular among Islanders, attracting over 20,000 votes among the 12 categories this year. The JBA was represented at the awards by Bob Hogge, John de Carteret, President Tim du Feu and Robin Kelly, who was one of seven people to nominate the JBA for the award.

On receiving the trophy from Jersey Electricity CEO Chris Ambler, Bob said it was wonderful to be associated with bees as 'they get such a good press'. But he added mischievously: 'But we're about wasps! and flies! and beetles! All the little nasties people don't like because we are about all the pollinators that are so crucial to preserving Jersey' biodiversity and maintaining our crops.'

Former President Bob this year bought and donated a 'Bee Field' at Bolivot, St Saviour, to the Association, to provide food and shelter for bees and other pollinators. Part of the £1,000 prize was two benches for the field which JE had made at Acorn Woodshack. The JBA held an open day at the field early this year and hopes to make this an annual event to promote and educate people about the importance of our Island's bees and other pollinators.

The JBA was joined at the ceremony by fellow Environmentalist/s Award finalists the National Trust for Jersey Countryside Rangers, whose small dedicated team manage over 1,500 vergees of land over 170 sites and 19,000 metres of footpaths. The third finalist was Elis Joudalova who is an ambassador for the OLIO app to encourage food sharing and reduce food waste. Last year's Environmentalist of the Year winner Ani Binet, who specialises in the conservation and research of bats, was also there, having been on the judging panel this year.

In presenting the award, JE CEO Chris Ambler said: 'As all our worthy nominees and finalists show, you don't have to be a big corporation with big pockets to make a difference in protecting our environment. They all deserve our thanks. I'd also like to thank those people who nominated them and everyone who voted. These awards are a wonderful community event because the community nominates the contenders and the community votes for the winners.'