Beekeeper Tina Corr receives first ever KU Biodiversity Volunteer of the Year award!

To mark the first Kingston University Biodiversity Action Group Volunteer of the Year award, we felt it was only right to recognise the outstanding dedication and leadership one Kingston University staff member has shown to a conservation project on campus over recent years.

Kingston Hill beekeeper Tina Corr (far right) and other award winners at this year's KUSU Volunteering Awards Ceremony at Dorich House.

Around her full time post in the School of Education, Tina Corr gives countless hours to ensure the bees in our Kingston Hill beehive are well fed, healthy and happy every year. She also coordinates volunteer hive check assistants each week, updates this wonderful blog and helps with promotional events. 

KU Biodiversity and Landscape Administrator Rachel Burgess nominated Tina for the award and commented: "We are so lucky to have Tina who has made this valuable biodiversity project and volunteering opportunity possible at the University. It's great to have such an enthusiastic and caring leader of the project who welcomes volunteer check assistants warmly, reassuring those who may be a little nervous about getting so close to hundreds of bees. Tina's passion for the bees is inspiring!"

With all the headlines about threats to bees recently, this was a timely reward for the Kingston Hill beekeeper and her efforts to help this much needed insect.

The award was given at the KUSU Annual Volunteering Awards which recognises achievement and commitment given to a variety of projects within the University and wider community from University volunteers in the past academic year. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Mackintosh gave out the prizes on stage to an audience of 45 in the stunning Dorich House Museum on 7th May. Tina's award was a little different to the others and raised a few smiles.

Tina was awarded with an engraved trowel and National Garden vouchers so she can keep up her excellent work in providing perfect habitat for bees, both at home and on campus.

It was a fitting tribute to a volunteer whose love of bees is her only motivation. And true to form, Tina didn't let the opportunity to entice more volunteers for the project go begging. While on stage she pitched for more volunteers to help check the hives from the audience! Great work Tina, let's hope the bees do you proud this year and produce a bumper harvest on honey!