MEET THEKEEPER

Peacock Farm

In the quiet countryside of Nottinghamshire, Peacock Farm is alive with the hum of honey bees, and the passion of beekeeper Donya Donger. What began with just four hives, inherited from a family friend, has blossomed into a thriving apiary and a local success story.

A Garden for Pollinators

Since taking on her first hives, Donya has rescued 100’s of wild swarms (14 so far this year), giving each one a safe new home on her land. Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed and there are now three other beekeepers in the village, all inspired by her work. The garden at Peacock Farm is bursting with wildflowers, carefully chosen to support bees and other pollinators.

The asparagus patch is a firm favourite — “they go mad for it,” Donya says. Every plant is selected with the bees in mind. Peacock Farm is also home to Alfie, a charming Shetland pony who adds to the character of this picturesque farm.

Sharing the Buzz

Every year Donya opens her gates through the Open Farm Sunday scheme, welcoming visitors to explore the hives, ask questions, and taste her amazing honey. Every visitor adds a stamp of a bee, turning it into a living guest book full of memories. Her honey is now stocked in 20 shops, the furthest all the way in Northampton. All of her fruit vinegars even earned a Great Taste Award, a proud achievement for the small farm.

Fast Flyers and Fun Facts

Beekeeping relies on timing and weather. It takes around ten days of good conditions for bees to cap a full frame of honey. Honey bees can fly at speeds of 15–20 miles per hour and will forage up to five miles from their hive in search of food.

Male bees, known as drones, cannot sting. Worker bees are female and are responsible for gathering nectar, caring for the queen, and defending the hive. Queen bees have smooth stingers, meaning they can sting more than once, usually to fight rival queens.

When smoke is used during hive inspections, it mimics the scent of a forest fire. This causes bees to begin feeding in preparation to flee, distracting them and making the hive safer to open.

Why We Support Peacock Farm

At Peacock Farm, Donya has created more than just a place for bees to live. She’s built a space where nature flourishes, visitors learn, and the local community connects with the land. She has done this all while supporting the creatures that keep our world growing and that’s something worth backing.

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