A Roseland man has come up with a novel way to commemorate loved ones.
Colin Packham's memorial beehives remember the dearly departed by dedicating whole colonies of pollinators to their names.
For £300, customers can have a hive built and populated with the insects and a perpetual supply of honey jars with personalised labels delivered thrice annually.
Colin thought of the idea at a friend's funeral when he realised that people's tributes to the dead could be incredibly wasteful.
He said: "I went to a funeral and saw that people were spending a lot of money on flowers. I though 'we need something more beneficial for everyone'.
"We need the pollinators. They're going through a bad time. And some people plant trees for loved ones, some people do a park bench or a bench with a view.
"It's the same with a hive."
Colin took a beekeeping course at Truro College
The hives are not strictly for memorial purposes.
Colin said: "It could be for a business, it could be a memorial honey or a celebration honey. Or from a grandchild to their grandchildren."
Originally from London, Colin moved to Cornwall hoping to work in agriculture before he was taken ill.
Three years ago, he took a beekeeping course at Truro college and has not looked back since, saying: "I enjoy being out in the fresh air instead of being in an office."
He said: "It's best to work between mid day and three o clock, just minimising the impact of being attacked. I have been stung a few times."
Although the hives are located on the Roseland, Colin will not advertise their exact location.
He said: "Believe it or not, they're susceptible to thieves."
Colin is training up an apprentice so that when he passes away himself, the bees will live on.
He said: "They should go on, I'd like to say, indefinitely."
To sponsor a hive, visit memorialbeehives.com/.
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