Buzzing Partnership: Imerys Teams Up with Bees Off to Rehome Rescued Bees

In a unique collaboration, Imerys and local bee expert Molly from ‘Bees Off’ have joined forces to transform unused land at the Imerys site in Par into a thriving new home for rescued bee colonies.

Rehoming Bees for a Greener Future

Molly, who runs ‘Bees Off’, a company that specialises in safely removing and rehoming bees from unwanted locations, approached Imerys with the idea of repurposing some of their unused land for her rescued bees. Imerys responded by offering a quiet area at their Par docks, where 15 hive boxes have now been set up to house the bees.

Tim Cutlan, manager at the Imerys site in Par, shared how the collaboration came to be. “Molly got in touch with Imerys to ask if we could donate some land to house her rescued bees. We identified an area at Par docks large enough for 15 hives. Now they are safely in place, Molly and her fellow helper visit and tend to the bees once per week.”

The introduction of these hives not only ensures the safety and well-being of the bees but also contributes to promoting biodiversity in the area. The rehomed bees now have a quiet, secure place to thrive, while also playing a vital role in the local ecosystem.

A Buzzing Experience

For the staff at Imerys, the experience has been educational and, at times, thrilling. Neil Parsons, the day captain at the Par site, shared his excitement about the project. “I have never been this close to any bee hive (let alone 15) in my life! I put a great deal of trust in Molly and the suit—I triple-checked to make sure it was sealed correctly. A fabulous experience to have bees flying around you as we inspected their hives.”

Neil also reflected on the lessons to be learned from observing the bees. “What a great learning experience to see how organised they are with different roles. They all work in cooperation with each other for the good of the hive; we could learn a few lessons from the bees!”

Expanding the Buzz

This isn’t the first time Imerys has partnered with Molly for such a project. The so-called ‘Imer-bees’ are already established at other Imerys sites in Treviscoe and near Bugle. Last year, employees at the Rocks site, just outside of Bugle, were even treated to honey produced by their own bees. Plans are already in the works to expand the rehoming project to more Imerys sites this year, continuing the company’s support for sustainable beekeeping practices.

Molly’s ‘Bees Off’ not only focuses on rehoming bees but also on educating the community about the importance of these pollinators and their crucial role in the environment. With more bees due to find new homes at Imerys sites, this partnership is set to continue creating a positive buzz across Cornwall.