Hereford holiday park in clover as bees help it gain green award
A family’s Hereford holiday park is buzzing after hearing that its efforts to protect honey bees have helped scoop a major environment accolade.
Poston Mill, near Peterchurch, has won the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level for the twelfth successive year.
Wayne and Sarah Jones, the husband and wife team behind the business, said they were immensely proud to have had their conservation work honoured in this way.
Major Environmental Award
The award scheme was founded 25 years ago by botanist David Bellamy who passed away in December 2019, and whose work is being carried on by his son Rufus.
“Poston Mill has always tended to attract customers who share our love of the natural world and seek out unspoiled surroundings,” said Sarah Jones.
“For that reason, we’ve always been keen to ensure that all the improvements we make will benefit the amazing flora and fauna which flourishes here..
“It’s great to have our efforts recognised by this award, and the credit must be shared with the loyal and hardworking members of Poston Mill’s staff team.
Creating away-from-it-all holidays
“We hope it will also help benefit other local tourism businesses by putting the spotlight on Herefordshire as a wonderful place to enjoy an away-from-it-all holidays,” added Sarah.
Sarah and Wayne took over the park just over 20 years ago, and have since invested much time and energy into creating first-class surroundings which have drawn a host of quality awards.
It nestles in 35 acres of tranquil countryside within sight of the Black Mountains, and provides caravan holiday homes to own as well as cottages and holiday caravans to hire.
There are also pitch facilities for families with touring caravans, motorhomes and tents.
Assessors for the award said that Poston Mill was to be applauded for giving the same VIP welcome to nature and wildlife as it does to holiday visitors.
They highlighted the park’s planting of many high nectar-bearing flowers which provide vital foraging for honey bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Praised too are the many wildlife habitats created at Poston Mill, its harvesting of rainfall in butts for irrigation, and the use of low-level illumination so that guests can enjoy the night sky.
Championing Hertfordshire
The park was commended as well for its charity fundraising work for local good causes, and the championing of Herefordshire foods and crafts in its shop.
In addition to the main David Bellamy Conservation Award, Sarah and Wayne received four extra badges for specific initiatives undertaken on the park.
They were for creating woodland habitats, planting hedges, propagating wild flowers, and helping to protect tourism jobs since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak.
“We’ve been extremely busy since re-opening in July with safety measures in place, and are now focussing on giving our guests the breaks they need and deserve,” said Sarah.
There is more information about Poston Mill on its website at www.postonmill.co.uk
