Ongar Honey: Sweetening Our Community Spirit

A huge thank you to Adam Maullin —the dedicated man behind Ongar Honey — for going above and beyond to help keep Ongar tidy! Adam took on the bus stop area today and managed to fill over eight bags of rubbish before running out — what an incredible effort. It’s inspiring to see local businesses and individuals stepping up and making such a visible difference in our town.

That said, it’s a shame that litter picking is even needed. Please, let’s all do our bit: look after Ongar and don’t drop litter. Our community deserves to stay beautiful for everyone.

Adam didn’t stop there. He also spent his Saturday morning volunteering with the brilliant team at Essex Wildlife Trust, getting stuck in for a fantastic cause. Together, they focused on habitat restoration at Ongar Nature Reserve, planting Guelder Rose to help brighten up the landscape for everyone who visits. These beautiful shrubs will soon bring white blooms in summer and vibrant red berries in autumn, creating a real feast for the eyes and supporting local wildlife. A heartfelt thank you goes to John Allen at the Trust for sharing his knowledge and guiding the team through the planting.

For those who haven’t discovered it yet, Ongar Honey is a true local gem. Founded in 2022 by Adam and his son, Ongar Honey started with just one hive in their garden and has grown to four hives, now based on local farmland. Their honey is 100% pure, minimally filtered, and unpasteurised — champagne-coloured and bursting with the unique flavours of Ongar’s countryside. The bees forage on wildflowers, fruit trees, and crops, producing honey that changes with the seasons. Ongar Honey is all about sustainability: they use red cedar hives, extract honey by hand (no electricity!), and help support local pollination and biodiversity. Every jar is a taste of Ongar’s natural beauty and heritage

Let’s keep supporting each other, celebrating local heroes like Adam and Ongar Honey, and making Ongar a cleaner, greener place to live.

Give Ongar Honey a Follow

Should Ongar Organise More Community Litter Picking Days?

Seeing the fantastic work of Adam Maullin and Ongar Honey, it’s clear that a little effort can go a long way in keeping our town beautiful. But imagine what we could achieve if more of us got involved! Would you be willing to volunteer your time to help keep Ongar tidy?

Litter picking days are not just about cleaning up — they’re a brilliant way to bring neighbours together, spark new friendships, and foster pride in our community. When we work side by side, we show that Ongar is a place where people care for each other and their environment. Plus, it’s a great way to get some fresh air and gentle exercise while making a visible difference!

Perhaps it’s time to organise regular community litter picks, advertised widely so everyone knows when and where to join in. We could team up with local groups, schools, and businesses to make it a real event, with refreshments and even a little celebration afterwards. By sharing dates on social media, in the local newsletter, and on community noticeboards, we can make sure no one misses out on the chance to get involved.

Of course, litter picking is just one idea. Why not suggest other ways to keep Ongar looking its best? Maybe we could start a “Proud of Ongar” campaign, encouraging everyone to take small steps — like picking up a stray wrapper or planting a flower. Or perhaps local businesses could sponsor bins or provide equipment.

What do you think? Would you volunteer? Do you have ideas for making Ongar even better? Let’s start the conversation! Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out if you’d like to help organise future events. Together, we can keep Ongar a place we’re all proud to call home.