IN a sheltered area of a quiet Darlington park, new life is being breathed into a disused bowling green. But rather than bowling teams returning to tread the peaceful green, tens of thousands of honey bees are staking their claim to the land as part of a community beekeeping initiative.

Beekeeping has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years with many allotment holders and gardeners recognising its benefits. Studies highlighting the decline in Britain’s honeybee and bumblebee populations have also led to a heightened awareness of the need to protect these most valuable of insects.

One group harnessing this new surge of public enthusiasm is the Darlington Beekeepers Association.

Formed in 2010 with just 14 members, the association now boasts almost 100 members. When senior association members were approached by Darlington Borough Council about the possibility of placing hives on a disused bowling green, a plan to create a community apiary was put into action.

Now, with council planning approval, hives have begun to appear on the green in Darlington’s Denes parkland and association secretary Roger Chappel believes it could be the beginning of something rather special.

“The intention of the association has always been to try to engage with members of the public,” he said.

“And this is ideal for that purpose because the hives are that little bit more in the public domain for people to take part. We will be able to get a lot of information out there for people through open days and placing information boards around the green. I am sure that it will create a lot of interest.”

The association has leased the land from the council for six months with the option of extending it if no complaints or problems, such as vandalism, arise.

Lenny Mutton, technical director of the association, said security measures are in place to deter troublemakers.

He said: “We are conscious of the fact that there could be a problem, but we are hopeful that they (troublemakers) will leave us alone for the benefit of everybody. We are already getting some residents and regular dog walkers saying to us that they are keeping an eye on the hives and that is really encouraging.”

The association has also formed links with the Darlington branch of Friends of the Earth who recently received a grant to create wildflower meadows in the borough. The Friends group has pledged to donate wildflower seeds to help the beekeepers create their own floral oasis which will especially benefit wild bumblebees.

Mr Chappel said: “In a way we are creating a park within a park. We hope it will make the area more attractive for everybody and be a welcome addition to the Dene.”

On June 7, the apiary will be officially opened by Darlington MP Jenny Chapman with a Grand Open Day.

The enthusiasm shown by Mr Chappel and Mr Mutton for the project and the bees themselves is certainly infectious and one can only hope that the community matches it to help ensure the initiative a huge success.

As Mr Mutton says: “Beekeeping ticks all the boxes. It is very rewarding in a technical sense – you never stop learning. It has a very nice social side, we now know so many people in different counties because of it – and we are saving the planet, what could be more crucial than that?”

• The Grand Open Day starts at noon on June 7. The Darlington Beekeepers Association can be contacted on 01325 315741 or email darlingtonbka@gmail.com