This 'holy honey' is so good they blessed it twice!

Rev Dr Halliday is pictured with a pot of the honey

The golden locally-harvested honey from bee hives in the hills of Saddleworth is twice blessed.

That's because two leading ministers have added their own special touch to their produce, which has been tagged affectionately as 'Holy Honey'.

Revd Dr Christopher Halliday was the Team Rector of Saddleworth for eight years until he retired and currently helps out at St Mary in the Baum, Rochdale.

Ordained in 1985, he served in Ireland, the USA and now lives in Delph where his honey appears under a proud label.

He has been keeping bees for 40 years and moved his three hives from Lydgate Vicarage when he retired, to join those of Revd Dr Michael Donmall in his field at Greenfield.

Mike been part of the Saddleworth Team for six years, mainly at Christ Church Friezland, which is holder of an EcoChurch bronze award.

Revd Dr Christopher said proudly: “I collected 50 jars from my three hives - honey has exceptional natural properties. 

"In addition to honey cake, topping for porridge, it can treat burns, sore throats and cuts."

Revd Dr Mike, formerly Professor of Health and Society at the University of Manchester, is celebrating his third season as a beekeeper, and this year harvested 75lbs from four hives.

He declared: “Bees are superb for our environment and beekeeping is a great example of cooperation in the natural world - you could call it co-creation.

“Honey is liquid gold and we have it on our porridge and in a yummy honey and walnut cake!”

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