Local business Maliks Honey has planted more than 400 trees in Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith, to help increase the UK's bee population.
"Through running the business, we learned a lot about our fuzzy friends and their dwindling numbers," said co-founder of the raw honey business, Oussama Azzam, 31.
"The trees are part of our 'trees for bees' campaign. Bees produce our amazing honey and without them, we would not have any food. It is an honour to be able to do something for them."
The small business prioritises improving the natural environment for their stripey workers and is planning to plant 1000 wildflowers this year.
The whips, including English Oak, Hawthorn and Silver Birch, were planted by more than 15 green-fingered volunteers ranging from two to 70 years old.
"I can't wait to revisit the site and watch the bees foraging on the trees," Oussama added. You can find them between the playground and pond in the park.
Buzzing with improvements
Find the new trees in the north of the park.
The area will soon be given a makeover with support from local investors through our Green Investment scheme. Tell us what would encourage you to visit more by Sunday 6 April.
You too can support the works – and earn a 4.2% return a year – by investing until 31 May.
Bee-utiful honey
Oussama grew up in Fulham and now lives in Ravenscourt Park with his business co-founder and wife, Emma. The couple, who have three children, named Maliks Honey after their first son Malik who passed away as a newborn.
"We started the business after our honeymoon in the Mediterranean where we tried real honey from the hive," Malik explained.
"We wondered why it tasted so different to what we buy in the supermarket and found that 90% of the honey sold in the UK is adulterated."
Maliks Honey sells raw honey that has not been adulterated or diluted with additives including sugar and water.
Through the online store shoppers can buy single jars or multi packs with flavours including Celtic salt, Cotswolds' wildflower, cinnamon and turmeric. As well as selling individual jars the business also stocks high street stores and restaurants.
Having your say
H&F is home to 55 parks and open green spaces, enjoyed daily by residents, visitors and local wildlife.
Last year we asked you what you thought of these spaces and more than 85 per cent of respondents said that they were satisfactory or better – that's almost 20 per cent higher than resident responses in 2023.
Find out what else residents liked about H&F's open spaces and where they're asking for changes in our satisfaction survey report.
Investments are long term and may be hard to sell. This is not a savings account. Changes in market interest rates may affect the value of your investment if you sell before maturity. Approver: Abundance (525432). Approval date: [3 April 2025]
