A digital tech agency, a social housing provider and an organic farm were the Bath winners in a unique awards scheme to champion the best bee-friendly businesses across the West of England.
The Bee Bold Awards were set up to recognise pollinator champions – with six organisations landing trophies in two categories at the inaugural presentation ceremony.
Bath digital technology agency Storm was one of three winners in the People for Nature category while Bath-headquartered social housing provider Curo came away with an award in the Space for Nature category.
Also among the Space for Nature winners was organic farm and veg box provider Middle Ground Growers.
Storm, which works with clients such as the University of Bath, the Institute of Coding and Bath independent book shop Mr B’s Reading Emporium, won for its tree-planting project ‘Co-Forest’, which helps companies invest in local biodiversity and improve the wellbeing of communities.
Curo, which manages more than 13,000 homes and builds hundreds of new properties a year, was praised for taking part in No Mow May, starting a ‘Do Nothing for Nature’ campaign, and planting hundreds of trees in community spaces.
As a result, it has transformed its housing estates into pollinator-friendly green spaces with wildflowers.
Middle Ground Growers started in 2020 by farming organically on two acres at Bathampton. It has since expanded and today farms 16 acres at Weston, producing food for 200-plus families and 12 retail outlets.
Its award recognises its “regenerative pollinator-friendly” farming model, including planting over four-plus acres of wildflower meadows
The awards were presented by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, pictured above with West of England Combined Authority senior manager, nature recovery, Sophie Spencer and Curo director of estates services Carl McMurtry, at a ceremony in Bristol.
Mayor Norris, who heads the West of England Combined Authority, said: “Pollinators matter – in terms of helping flowers grow, but also in ensuring we can have the delicious West of England produce we’re renowned for, not to mention keeping our precious countryside and other green spaces maintained and cared for.
“That’s why I’ve made them a priority for the combined authority.
“I hope these award winners inspire others to take steps to support our pollinators as well, no matter how small they seem.
“So, whether it be throwing away those bee-harming pesticides or taking part in things like No Mow May, I urge locals to help me make our amazing region the best place in the country for the West of England’s bee and pollinator friends.”
Curo director of estates services Carl McMurtry said the business was very excited to be among the winners.
“We first rolled out No Mow May across our estates in 2021 and last year we took this one step further by signing up to the Nothing for Nature scheme, leaving 30 Curo sites to rewild beyond May,” he said. “We’ve since seen a big increase in the number of wildflowers, bringing more food for pollinators.
“It's been important to work with local communities where we are leaving areas uncut so everyone understands why we’re doing this.
“We put signs up explaining what’s happening and many residents have got in touch to say how much they value this nature-first approach.”
