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Louise’s Journey: Crafting Honey

Crafting Honey with Purpose and Passion 

A Lifelong Connection to Nature

Louise’s journey into the world of beekeeping is one of devotion, inspired by a desire to protect the environment and advocate for pollinators. Her small-batch honey operation called Louisebees, isn’t just about the sweet end product—it’s a lifetime pursuit that aligns with her environmental consciousness, a passion instilled in her from a young age by her conservation-focused family. Growing up surrounded by barn owl breeding and wildlife preservation, Louise’s path was always destined to be one of protecting nature. 

From Hobby to Devotion

She recalls the serendipitous moment when bees captured her heart. At a village fair with her daughter, she met a beekeeper and instantly felt drawn to these industrious, social creatures. Shortly after, she joined a local beekeeping course, learning the basics in the back of a supermarket. Her first colony quickly multiplied, and she soon found herself with nine hives, fully committed to a life with bees.  

Louise’s approach to beekeeping is unique. She collaborates with other local beekeepers who might otherwise not sell their honey, ensuring that every jar she produces can be traced back to a specific hive.  

The Louisebees Philosophy

Unlike large-scale operations, Louise refrains from automated processes and insists on hand-jarred honey labelled by hive origin. This approach not only maintains the honey’s authenticity but also highlights her mission to educate others on the importance of pollinators beyond just honeybees.  

“People love honeybees,” Louise says, “but my focus is on all pollinators, from solitary bees to hoverflies. These species are crucial indicators of our environment’s health, yet they often lack the same level of support.” 

For Louise, each jar of honey symbolises more than a sweet treat; it’s a testament to the hard work of her bees and a commitment to using everything they produce. From beeswax candles to her handmade “honeygar,” a cider vinegar and honey blend, she ensures that nothing goes to waste. As demand for her products has grown, Louise has consciously resisted the urge to scale up her operation. “For me, it’s about balance,” she reflects. “If I can’t keep up, I won’t compromise on quality or sustainability.” 

Today, you can find Louisebees honey at a few select locations, including Pipp & Co. café, where she supplies a seasonal selection. She also attends artisan markets like the Frome Independent and the Warminster Street Market, where her honey consistently sells out.  

Inspiring Through Education

She’s dreaming up a “Walk with Bees” blog, where she writes from the bees’ perspective, letting readers ‘fly a mile on tiny wings.’ Through each post, readers get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a bee—buzzing through fields, foraging for nectar, communicating with the hive, and playing an essential role in nature.  

Her reverence for bees goes beyond just beekeeping—it’s about sharing the joy and significance of pollinators with as many people as possible. Whether through a jar of honey or a simple conversation, Louise hopes to inspire others to appreciate and protect these vital creatures.  

Small Business Synergy

Her story with Bettina and Mario from Pipp & Co. is a beautiful example of small businesses lifting one another, creating connections grounded in passion and shared purpose. 

 

Where to Support Louisebees

Support Louise at Pipp & Co Café where you can buy her delicious jars of Louisebees honey: perfect as a gift for Christmas. 

If you can’t visit Pipp & Co, find Louisebees honey at these upcoming markets: 

  • The Frome Independent: Sunday, 1st December, 10am-3pm (outside Little Walcot restaurant on Catherine Hill) 
  • Warminster Christmas Market & Light-Up Event: Thursday, 30th November, 10am-6pm (top of High Street near Lloyds Bank) 
  • Foodie Christmas Shopping Event: Friday, 29th December, 10:30am-6:30pm at Church Farm, Rode BA11 6AA 

For more information, visit www.louisebees.com

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The Sweet Story Behind the Doughnut Dollies

Join Us in Making a Difference with Every Doughnut!

Picture this: it’s 1917, a homesick soldier in France received a freshly fried doughnut from a cheerful Salvation Army lassie. This small gesture became a lasting symbol of love and comfort for the armed forces.

Original source: ‘Doughnut Dollies’.

This November, we are excited to introduce a special doughnut inspired by the remarkable legacy of the Salvation Army’s “Doughnut Dollies”—a group of dedicated volunteers who brought comfort and cheer to soldiers during the First World War. To honour these extraordinary women and their acts of kindness, we have released The Dollie Doughnut, a cinnamon ring doughnut dusted with cardamom sugar, from 5th to 17th November. The Swindon-based bakery will also be making a £500 donation to the Salvation Army’s Gloucester House.

The Sweet Story Behind the Doughnut Dollies

The story of the Doughnut Dollies is one of resilience, compassion, and ingenuity. Few may have heard of these volunteers, who served under the direction of Evangeline Booth, leader of the Salvation Army in the United States. In 1917, Booth proposed to General Pershing that Salvation Army volunteers be deployed to the front lines in France to offer support and comfort to soldiers far from home. Lacking formal kitchen tools, these dedicated women famously repurposed wine bottles as rolling pins and whipped up fried doughnuts, bringing soldiers a taste of home amid the hardships of war.

“We were so inspired when we heard the story of the Doughnut Dollies that we immediately wanted to create a new doughnut as a tribute,” said Betina Evangelista of Pipp & Co. “The Salvation Army continues to do incredible work, and we’re honoured to support our local branch.”

The Dollie Doughnut’s flavour is intentionally simple, designed to evoke the authenticity and resourcefulness that defined the original Doughnut Dollies’ creations during wartime. Alongside this special release, Pipp & Co hopes to raise awareness for Gloucester House, a Salvation Army-run centre near Swindon, which provides essential support for those working to overcome substance abuse.

To learn more about Gloucester House and its life-changing work, visit The Salvation Army’s website.

Continuing the Legacy

Today, the tradition of the doughnut dollies lives on through Salvation Army services and in times of peacetime emergencies. These beloved doughnuts symbolise the organisation’s readiness to help in times of need.

Enjoy a doughnut and remember the legacy of love and comfort that began over a century ago.

Thank you for being a part of our community and helping us make a difference!

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Serving up our first café

Pipp & Co are thrilled to announce our first café in Bristol!

At Pipp & Co, we are excited to share the next big step: opening our very first café in Bristol!

Our Swindon factory currently produces over 20,000 doughnuts each week, and we’re investing in a new café at College Green, Bristol. 

Since acquiring Pipp & Co in 2015, Mario and Betina Evangelista have transformed the business from a small bakery serving mainly farmers’ markets into a thriving company employing 40 plus people. This new café will add another eight roles to our growing team.

Every doughnut is freshly made at our Swindon bakery, using the finest raw ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible. We take pride in ensuring that our products contain no artificial colours, flavourings, or additives. Our doughnuts are to be enjoyed on the day of purchase.

Reflecting on our journey, Betina said, “When we bought Pipp & Co, it was a very different business. It was founded by two patisserie chefs who sold primarily at farmers’ markets. We continue to sell at these markets and cherish the loyal customer base we have built over the years. There’s something special about the atmosphere at these markets that we love.”

“We have since expanded, and now our products are available at numerous stockists, including farm shops and cafes. A significant part of our business also involves selling to corporates through regular pop-up shops and stocking staff restaurants. We remain true to the original founders’ passion for quality products made from quality ingredients, with nothing artificial,” she added.

Mario shared, “Betina and I have a background in the food industry from our younger days when we ran a small restaurant. Our passion for good food never waned, and as our children grew older, we sought a new opportunity. We stumbled upon a doughnut business at a farmers’ market, and after seeing the massive queue, we knew we had to try those doughnuts. We bought the business, and the rest is history.”

From producing 2,500 doughnuts a week in 2015, we now average 20,000 weekly, and our product range has expanded to include cinnamon rolls and cruffins (a croissant/muffin hybrid). In 2022, we moved to a larger facility in Swindon, which has allowed us to scale up and introduce new product lines, thanks to significant investments in equipment and fittings.

Our Bristol café will serve a variety of Pipp & Co’s freshly made doughnuts, alongside a selection of new sweet and savoury pastries. We look forward to receiving feedback on these new savoury menu additions.

Photo: Martin Booth for bristol247.com

Find directions to Pipp & Co Cafe here:

Address: 35 College Green, Bristol, BS1 5SP

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow and bring our delicious doughnuts to new locations!

Sporting, corporate, private events and more

Get a coffee and doughnut van for your event!​

We’ve recently launched a coffee and doughnut van to serve you at business parks, corporate events, weddings, and sports fixtures. Chat to one of our service orientanted team members for any information you need.

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National Doughnut Week’s chai-flavoured twist!

Celebrate National Doughnut Week with a delicious chai-flavoured twist!

Introducing our limited edition chai-cinnamon doughnut: A National Doughnut Week special!

National Doughnut Week is just around the corner, and we at Pipp & Co have a special treat in store for you! We’re thrilled to announce our latest creation, crafted in collaboration with the renowned chai producers Henny & Joe’s. Our new chai-flavoured, filled cinnamon doughnut will make its debut on May 18th, and we can’t wait for you to try it.

A Flavourful Collaboration

At Pipp & Co, we pride ourselves on baking with the finest natural ingredients and no additives or preservatives. Our commitment to quality aligns perfectly with Henny & Joe’s, a company known for its pure and flavourful chai concentrates. Co-founded by Lottie Heynen and Ash Bailey, Henny & Joe’s was born out of a desire to offer a chai blend free from artificial additives and excess sugar. Their products are now a favourite in independent coffee shops and retailers.

When it came time to craft a special doughnut for National Doughnut Week, we knew Henny & Joe’s was the perfect partner. “We reached out to Henny & Joe’s because we love the chai products they make,” says Betina Evangelista, who co-owns Pipp & Co with her husband Mario. “They have the same ethos as we do, producing a quality product using only natural ingredients. We thought a chai-flavoured, filled doughnut would be a great addition to our range.”

The Chai-Cinnamon Doughnut

Our new chai-cinnamon doughnut features a delightful blend of chai spices infused into a rich, cinnamon-filled doughnut. Each bite offers a warm, comforting flavour experience that’s perfect for celebrating National Doughnut Week.

Available at the farmers’ markets we visit and through our online store, this limited-edition doughnut will be on sale from May 18th. And if it proves popular, we’re excited about the possibility of making it a regular part of our range!

Supporting a Great Cause

In the spirit of giving, we’re also pleased to support The Children’s Trust, the charity backed by National Doughnut Week. This organisation supports children with brain injuries, and we’ll be making a donation at the end of the week to contribute to their important work.

Where to Buy your Chai-Cinnamon Doughnuts

Pipp & Co doughnuts are available through a variety of stockists from Reading to Oxford and Stroud to Bristol. Don’t miss your chance to try our new chai-cinnamon doughnut!

This doughnut will be available on our website shop or available from a stockist near you.

We look forward to celebrating National Doughnut Week with you and hope you enjoy this special new addition to our doughnut lineup. Here’s to sweet moments and supporting a wonderful cause!

Stay tuned for more updates and follow us on instagram for the latest markets and pop-up business park visits. 

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for our doughnuts!

Doughnut and coffee van parked at business park

Sporting, corporate, private events and more

Get a coffee and doughnut van for your event!​

We’ve recently launched a coffee and doughnut van to serve you at business parks, corporate events, weddings, and sports fixtures. Chat to one of our service orientainted team members for any information you need.