From Wax To Wings: How Bees Changed Nottingham Candle Business, Matty’s Candles

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Matty’s Candles blends eco-friendly rapeseed and coconut wax with a buzzing beekeeping mission, supporting local Nottinghamshire agriculture and pollinators while crafting clean-burning candles.

Matty’s Candles

In the heart of Nottinghamshire, Matty’s Candles has evolved from a small plant-based candle operation into a vibrant hub of pollination and sustainability. What began as a commitment to eco-friendly wax has blossomed into a business shaped by the unexpected influence of honey bees, creating a unique synergy between local agriculture, clean candles, and thriving ecosystems.

Matty’s Candles, founded by Matthew Romane, built its brand on a clear principle: no soy, no paraffin. Soy wax was ruled out due to its association with deforestation and habitat loss in critical regions like the Amazon. Paraffin, a petroleum-based wax, was also avoided because burning it can release small amounts of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, such as benzene and toluene, which may affect indoor air quality.

Instead, Matty’s Candles uses a blend of rapeseed and coconut wax for its scented candles and wax melts. Rapeseed, a crop widely grown in the UK and Europe, supports local agriculture under strict pesticide regulations. Coconut wax, derived from the fruit’s flesh, is harvested without harming trees and often supports smallholder farmers. This plant-based blend burns cleanly and aligns with the brand’s mission to prioritize sustainability and health.

The Unexpected Arrival of Bees

The journey into beekeeping began as a small experiment for Matthew and his husband. Surrounded by Nottinghamshire’s vibrant rapeseed fields, which burst into yellow blooms each spring, they introduced a single beehive to their property. The connection was logical: bees pollinate rapeseed, which produces the oil used in their wax. But the bees had bigger plans.

Within weeks, the hive showed signs of swarming—a natural process where the colony splits to form a new one. Overcrowding, queen cells, and nectar storage in brood areas signaled the hive was preparing to divide. With quick action, including a forced split and extra hives, their single colony multiplied into four. What started as a side project became a crash course in beekeeping and a cornerstone of the business.

Why Bees Matter: The Power of Pollination

Bees, both managed and wild, play a critical role in global food systems. Animal pollinators, primarily insects, support about 35% of global crop production by volume and enhance yields for roughly 75% of major food crops, including fruits, nuts, and seeds. In Nottinghamshire, Matty’s bees pollinate local rapeseed fields, directly contributing to the crop that supplies their wax.

While honey bees are vital for many commercial crops, wild pollinators like bumblebees, hoverflies, and butterflies are equally essential. Research shows wild insects can boost fruit set independently of honey bees, highlighting the need for diverse pollinator communities. By keeping hives and planting for wild pollinators, Matty’s Candles supports both local agriculture and ecosystem resilience.

A New Home for the Hives

As the bee colonies grew, Matty’s Candles found an ideal partnership with a local farm in Babbington, run by John Anthony using natural, pesticide-free methods. This satellite apiary provided a safer, richer environment for the bees, surrounded by diverse forage like hedgerows and rapeseed fields. The collaboration benefits both parties: the bees pollinate crops and wildflowers, while the farm’s rapeseed supports Matty’s wax supply. It’s a model of local synergy—Nottingham fields, farmers, and bees working together.

The Bigger Picture: Pollination’s Impact

Pollination goes beyond agriculture. It underpins food security by enabling the production of nutrient-rich crops like berries, apples, and almonds. It also sustains wild habitats, supporting wildflowers, woodlands, and the wildlife that depend on them. Diverse pollinator populations create resilient ecosystems, capable of withstanding environmental challenges. By fostering both honey bees and wild pollinators, Matty’s Candles contributes to this vital cycle.

Clean Burning: Why Paraffin-Free Matters

Matty’s commitment to paraffin-free candles stems from a focus on indoor air quality. All candle flames produce some particulate matter, but paraffin wax, derived from petroleum, can release compounds like benzene and toluene when burned. To minimize risks, Matty’s uses plant-based wax, cotton wicks, and provides practical burn tips: trim wicks, ensure ventilation, avoid drafts, and allow a full melt pool for an even burn.

The Rapeseed Connection

Rapeseed is a cornerstone of UK agriculture, with hundreds of thousands of tonnes harvested annually. Matty’s bees help pollinate these fields, creating a circular system: bees support the crops, the crops produce wax, and the wax fuels the candles. This connection ties the business to local farmers and reinforces its commitment to sustainable, UK-grown materials.

Honey’s Health Benefits: What Science Says

Honey, a byproduct of Matty’s beekeeping, has proven benefits when used responsibly. For children over one year, it can reduce cough frequency and improve sleep during colds, often outperforming standard remedies. Medical-grade honey can also speed healing for certain wounds, like burns, though it requires clinical supervision. However, claims about honey preventing allergies lack strong evidence. Importantly, honey should never be given to infants under one year due to the risk of botulism.

Beekeeping Lessons for Beginners

Matty’s rapid dive into beekeeping revealed key lessons for newcomers:

• Prepare for Swarms: Watch for queen cells, overcrowding, or nectar storage in brood areas, and have extra equipment ready.
• Choose Sites Wisely: Place hives in areas with diverse, pesticide-free forage, like the Babbington farm.
• Support All Pollinators: Plant for wild bees, butterflies, and hoverflies to boost biodiversity.

From Candles to Conservation

What began as a plant-based candle business has grown into a broader mission. Matty’s Candles now integrates beekeeping and pollination into its core strategy, supporting local ecosystems and agriculture. The bees pollinate the rapeseed that becomes wax, creating a closed-loop story that resonates with eco-conscious consumers.

A Guide for Candle Buyers

For those looking to make sustainable choices, Matty’s story offers clear takeaways:

• Check the Wax: Opt for plant-based blends like rapeseed or coconut to support agriculture and avoid fossil fuels.
• Burn Wisely: Follow safe burning practices to minimize indoor air impact.
• Support Pollinators: Choose brands that invest in biodiversity, from planting wildflowers to keeping bees.

A Buzzing Future

Matthew never planned to become a beekeeper, but the bees had other ideas. From one hive to four, they’ve reshaped Matty’s Candles into a business that’s as much about pollination as it is about light. In Nottingham’s rapeseed fields, where yellow blooms meet buzzing wings, a small candle company is making a big impact—one hive, one candle, one ecosystem at a time.

Find more from Matty’s Candles now:

https://mattyscandles.co.uk