A Ladies Lunch has raised a huge amount and some has already been spent on adopting a queen bee to help preserve the UK bee population.

The event at Ellesmere College saw 160 guests enjoy a talk from father and daughter duo Emma and David Buckley of Buckley’s Bees, who also brought along a living beehive, with its queen bee in residence, to demonstrate the workings of a hive and the art of beekeeping.

The end of term event was organised by the school’s Parents’ Society (ECPS) and was designed to highlight biodiversity and sustainability. It also raised £1,300 through the raffle.

Outgoing Co-Chairs of ECPS Sadie Norris and Helena Hepburn said Buckley’s Bees was a ‘wonderful double-act who exuded expertise, experience and passion for their work’ and the ‘fascinating’ talk has inspired a number of the guests to explore the possibility of beekeeping themselves.

Sadie Norris said: “Emma and David enlightened, entertained and inspired the audience with a fascinating insight into beekeeping and their work to help reverse the decline of the UK’s bee population.

“They also announced that the queen bee that they had brought along was looking for a name and the possibility of being adopted.

“Thanks to people’s generosity, we raised an amazing £1,300 at the raffle of prizes, kindly donated by stallholders and local businesses.

“ECPS are thrilled to announce that this year some of these funds will be spent on adopting the queen bee on behalf of Ellesmere College and we have named her ‘Elsie’, the most popular name suggested by the guests at Ladies’ Lunch.

“As a result, the school will receive an adoption certificate and regular updates on Elsie and her hive, along with opportunities to visit the hive and learn more about bees and the crucial role they play in biodiversity.”

The event on July 2 was held in a marquee on the school terrace which was decorated with British-grown flowers and plants supplied by Bloomin’ El micro flower farm and designed and arranged by local sustainability florist Katherine Birtles of Zinnia Floral Design.

There were also paper flowers made by a team of parent volunteers and biodegradable flower confetti donated by Shropshire Petals.

The event also showcased an exhibition of artwork from pupils in Ellesmere College Lower School as part of the ECPS ‘Bee Creative’ Art Competition to communicate the plight of bees and their importance to the environment.

Guests were invited to browse and shop from 20 stalls, offering produce and services from independent businesses and artisans from the local area, and they also enjoyed welcome drinks and canapés as well as a two course-lunch prepared and served by Charlie Everall and her team from Get Gourmet Catering.

After the meal, guests were given the opportunity to see the recently installed memorial seating area overlooking the cricket pitch in memory of the late Headmaster Brendan Wignall who passed away in 2024.

For more information about Ellesmere College Parents Society visit https://www.ellesmere.com/pastoral/parents-society.