Your Lancashire county NFU update

Wyre Council is currently running its Sowing the Seeds Rural Survey, inviting people who live or work in rural Wyre to share their views on the area’s future needs and priorities.

If you live or farm in rural Wyre, we encourage you to complete the survey as this will be the last rural survey before the local government reorganisation (Devolution for Lancashire).

The consultation will remain open until Monday 5th October

To take part in the survey and give your views CLICK HERE

The South Lakes Honey Company, a family-run beekeeping business based in Cumbria, are currently looking for a suitable site between Blackpool and Morecambe to support the expansion of their queen-rearing operation. Their priority is to establish a secure and well-managed apiary where we can raise and assess queen bees, raise mated queens with research and continue developing locally adapted honey bee stock suited to conditions across Northern England.

They are particularly interested in farms, estates, golf courses, equestrian sites, holiday parks, woodland edges and other rural locations with vehicle access, some shelter and space away from busy public areas.

This apiary would only be used within the beekeeping season spring till end of summer. 

Although queen rearing is the immediate priority the site may also support the development of additional apiaries in the future. This could include:

• Raising nucleus colonies for future apiary expansion and sale.
• Keeping established colonies for honey production.
• Supporting locally adapted breeding lines.
• Trialling improved hive-management methods and beekeeping technology.
• Developing wider biodiversity and conservation projects around the land.

South Lakes Honey Company already operates apiaries on a range of rural sites and works closely with landowners to improve both pollination and the surrounding environment. Alongside the management of bees, they are interested in supporting practical conservation measures where appropriate including:

• Wildflower planting and improved pollinator forage.
• Bird and bat boxes.
• Bug hotels and insect habitats.
• Improved management of field margins, hedgerows and unused areas.
• Recording useful information about flowering plants, wildlife and seasonal forage.

All hives would be professionally managed by experienced beekeepers. They would agree the location and access arrangements with you before any colonies were placed and the apiary would be managed to minimise disruption to your land, staff, visitors and livestock.

They are fully insured and would take responsibility for the regular inspection, maintenance and management of all colonies. In return for hosting an apiary, they can also provide the landowner with honey when available and recognition for supporting local beekeeping, conservation and biodiversity.

They are not looking for a large area. A secure and accessible corner of a field, woodland edge, paddock, estate, farm or other suitable piece of land may be enough.

If this is something you may be interested in, they  would be happy to arrange an informal visit to discuss the site and answer any questions. There would be no obligation following the initial visit. The South Lakes Honey Company are fully insured with public liability up to £10 million. 

If you would like to know more or consider this request, contact Joe Lydon: [email protected]

We have been contacted by a company called DESRE. Here is what they say ..

“We are a remediation company, we currently work with Sunderland council and are due to start a job down in Preston, possibly later this year.  We will have a lot of Topsoil we will need to get removed from site and wondered if this would be something you would be interested in?  There would be no cost for the Soil would just involve you bring wagons to remove.  We will have the soil tested but believe will come back clear”.

If this is something you may be interested to explore contact Emma Whittaker on 07856 910851; [email protected]

We have been contacted by an Atherton-based quantity surveyor and construction consultant.  This is what he says…

"It has long been my ambition to establish a small touring caravan and camping park within Greater Manchester or the surrounding area. Rather than purchasing land outright, I am interested in partnering with a farmer through a long-term lease or joint-venture arrangement as part of a wider farm-diversification strategy.

The concept would be for a sensitively developed and professionally operated site, providing the farmer with an additional income stream while retaining ownership of the land.

Alongside the commercial operation, I would aim to create local employment, apprenticeships, and supported work opportunities, with local contractors and suppliers involved in the development and ongoing operation of the park.

My background includes quantity surveying, estimating, procurement and construction management, enabling me to assess site feasibility, prepare development costings and manage delivery.

If you are interested please contact Jon Hilton - Tel: 01942 356 780; [email protected]

Is your business ready for a Cyber Attack?

According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, published by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, 43% of businesses experienced a cyber breach or attack within a twelve‑month period.

You can now join other Lancashire businesses in a free Cyber Attack Hydra Simulation at the University of Lancashire. This immersive exercise places you at the centre of a realistic cyber incident, helping you practise critical decision‑making under pressure - including leadership, communications, risk management, and business continuity. No technical or IT background is required.

What to expect:

• Free to attend
• Designed for small and medium‑sized businesses
• Realistic, facilitated cyber‑attack decision‑making exercise
• A safe space to test responses without risk

Following the simulation, aftercare support will be available from the Northwest Cyber Resilience Centre and the University of Lancashire, helping you understand and address any risks or gaps identified during the exercise.

These sessions are delivered by the University of Lancashire and are fully funded by Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner using proceeds of crime, supporting stronger cyber resilience across Lancashire’s business community.

Each session lasts up to four hours and accommodates 20 participants and includes complimentary refreshments and lunch.

A selection of initial dates is now available, with more to be added throughout the year. You can register via Eventbrite: Lancashire Cyber Attack Hydra Simulation Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite

For further details, please contact project lead Steve Hanley: [email protected] 

The NFU Mutual Central Lancashire Agency (comprising Preston, Blackburn & Chorley NFU Mutual agencies) is recruiting for a combined partner & NFU Group Secretary in farming and commercial insurance business. 

For more information visit NFU Mutual 

All members of the farming community are welcome at Broughton's ‘Chatty Cafe’ morning held every Monday between 9.30am to 11.30am. The relaxed and friendly space is for people from all walks of life to join together for a chat and to connect with others. 

Taking place at: 

Toll Bar Cottage Community Café
476 Garstang Road
Broughton
Preston
Lancashire
PR3 5JB