The Honey Project, Part 3: Three Years of Building Something That Lasts

The Honey Project, Part 3: Three Years of Building Something That Lasts

21 July 26

 

There's a corner of Wallberry Farm that looks very different to how we first found it.

Three years ago, it was a quiet patch of ground with potential and not much else. This summer, we were back for the third year running of ‘The Honey Project’, our long-standing partnership with The Children's Centre - and standing in the middle of the Wild Space now, it's hard not to feel pride in how far it’s come.

How it started

Back in 2024, it began with the bees. Teams from across Manx Financial Group, Conister Bank, Edgewater Associates and MFX,  swapped keyboards for wellies and spent a week installing an apiary at the Centre. The hives were there to support therapy sessions and hands-on learning.

Last year, Part 2 took it further. Under clear skies and a fair bit of suncream, the team built a walkway, a bench, and a platform for a new container - somewhere to store everything from beekeeper suits to hive tools, so the apiary could be looked after properly for years to come. Bit by bit, a quiet corner was turning into a proper space.

 

This year's graft

For Part 3, we came back with an ambitious list - and plenty of hands to tackle it!

We finished the bee container, sanding it down and giving it a fresh coat of paint in a camouflage style to help it sit naturally in its surroundings. We built out the space in front of it with a decking, boardwalk-style walkway, complete with handrails over the water zones so the area is safer and more accessible for everyone who visits.

Once the essentials were done, we turned to creating a footpath in a new play area.  Bit by bit, tarmac was moved onto the windy pathway and levelled out – hard work in the heatwave!

 

Why we keep coming back

The Wild Space isn't just a nice-looking patch of farm. It's a safe, therapeutic outdoor area where local children can get outside, get close to nature, and simply be kids.

That's the bit that keeps us coming back. This has never been a one-off day of good intentions. It's three years of the same teams, the same charity, and the same quiet determination to leave something behind that has a positive impact on the Manx community.

A huge thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves this summer, and to the brilliant team at The Children's Centre for having us back again!

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