Melissae

Bee Works - Apiology and the Hive at Nottingham Contemporary 1st December 2011

2011-11-08T04:59:00.000-08:00

Bee Works - Apiologyand the Hive at Nottingham Contemporary 1st December 2011

Klaus Weber Bee Painting, 2009. Photo courtesy of the artist,

Andrew Kreps Gallery, NY & Herald St Gallery, London

The Space, 7pm, Free.

Artist and urban beekeeper Alison Knox will describe the joys of the apiary, including the“cleansing flights” that created Weber’s bee canvases.

Vivienne Browne,Professor Emeritus in Economics at The Open University, will introduce adifferent view of the “hive” – as a model of productivity described by theearly economist Adam Smith.

http://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/event/alison-knox-and-vivienne-brown

Book online to reserve a place

ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION COMPETITION

2011-11-08T04:42:00.000-08:00

http://www.architecturefoundation.org.uk/programme/2011/design-competition-inmidtown-habitats

All you creatively minded beekeepers out there . . . get your tool kits out!

Varroa World Wide Spread Map

2011-11-04T04:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.mylovedone.com/image/solstice/win10/SammataroandArlinghaus.html

The miracle of technology shows us how the parasitic mite Varroa has spread across the world.

LAYING WORKER?

2011-07-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

This photo of a piece of comb found in a hive belonging to Bob Logan was taken by Alec Thomson of NBKA. You can clearly see there are multiple eggs layed in a scrappy fashion within each cell. This usually indicates a laying worker in a queenless colony. Usually there is only one egg per cell, neatly positioned at the bottom standing upright.

Lorry crash spills 14 million bees in Idaho USA

2011-07-14T12:25:00.000-07:00

I WAS JUST SENT THIS HORROR STORY . . . .

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/13072011/36...00-bees-0.html

A lorry carrying 400 beehives crashed and unleashed a cloud of 14 million bees, in one of the most bizarre HGV spills ever recorded.

The lorry also dumped the entire honey haul onto the road - raising the possibility of a bear attack.

The accident happened in Island Creek, Idaho, USA, and resulted in a swarm of bees that according to witnesses looked like a black cloud.

Emergency services were called numerous times when nearby residents heard a roaring sound and saw the swarm. “You didn't dare open your window. You didn't dare get out. You didn't dare do anything,” said Island Park Fire Chief Kenny Strandberg.

But the crash was just the start of the problem. “I am worried about the bears coming down now - the grizzly bears because there are so many bees that we didn't kill that they will be down,” said Mr Strandberg.

The fire crew dispatched to the accident scene began by trying to cool the bees down with water spray. However, a bee expert on the site suggested killing the bees with fire foam so that the remaining hives could be saved and the honey cleaned off the road.

According to reports, every one of the rescue crew involved was stung by the bees, though none suffered a serious injury.

The bees - worth an estimated £250,000 - were being moved from Bakersfield in California to North Dakota when it veered off the road. The driver was not injured.

'We train for fires and extrication, but we have never trained for bees,” said Mr Strandberg. “Next time it happens, if it happens again, hopefully not, we will know what to do.”

Mark Nichol

AVAAZ - A Million-Strong Swarm to Save the Bees

2011-04-19T01:06:00.000-07:00

A Million-Strong Swarm to Save the Bees
Over a million people, including 200,000 in France, signed an explosive petition to ban pesticides that are mass-killing bees the world over -- and, standing with a team of French beekeepers, delivered the petition to the French Agriculture Minister at a major conference. The campaign continues, building pressure for action in France, the EU, and around the globe.

"As a subscriber to AVAAZ I was thrilled to learn of their recent efforts campaigning to help save the honeybees. This growing voice is now over 8.2 million strong, increasing by 100,000 people per week!"

Avaaz.org is a 8-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making. ("Avaaz" means "voice" or "song" in many languages.) Avaaz members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 13 countries on 4 continents and operates in 14 languages. Learn about some of Avaaz's biggest campaigns here, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Woodpeckers 'adding to decline of honey bees'

2011-03-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-12831084

The BBC took my comments about the problems with woodpecker damage and gave them a bit of an airing on their website blog. Lets keep things in context. . . it was a harsh winter and woodpeckers had to resort to tactics which are not very helpful to the beekeeper. The photos above were taken by our NBKA Hon Sec, Maurice Jordan, and show typically how holes are bored into the brood boxes. The woodpecker will find a soft spot in the wooden hive and treat it like a tree trunk. You will notice how the hole is pretty much dead centre of the side panel. The woodpecker will have established that this is where the cluster of bees is hanging and wasted no time or effort drilling elsewhere. Sometimes they will learn to tap on the hive, and curious bees will emerge to see what the racket is all about and they get picked off on the wing. Aside from the bees and brood the woodpeckers manage to eat, the hive is then left open and vulnerable to other pests such as mice or rats and of course the cold and damp. It is not the cold itself which kills bees, they can survive at quite low temperatures, but dampness and wind chill can cause big problems. The brittle cold snap actually did us a few favours as it reduced the varroa infestations. Varroa prefer warm, mild winters to survive and thrive.
It is possible to deter woodpeckers with the use of old silvery CD's hung around the hives, most birds are put off my shiny metallic surfaces, and CD's on string blowing in the wind would be quite effective although not foolprooof. Chicken wire would also work wrapped around the perimeter of the hives, but for a bigger apiary it will be a costly and time consuming task. We just used a silver radiator lagging, wrapped around 3 sides of the hives, which afforded a bit of insulation and would be a first line deterrent against any hungry birds.

SPRINGTIME BEES on BBC RADIO NOTTINGHAM

2011-03-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

As the first shy rays of Spring sunshine dapple the lawns of Woodthorpe, the BBC popped round to check up on m'bees and how they survived the winter.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00ffj3t /Andy_Whittaker_Broadmarsh_and_Victoria_Centre_to_extend/

If you click on this link, then move the slider on the Andy Whittaker programme to 1:21:31 (ish) you should get the start of my interview this morning (23.3.11) at 07.30. The bees were still a'bed so there was not much to see. As I never asked the interviewer how long we had, nor did she get around to telling me, . . . we got cut off at a very sad point. . . and on that bombshell we had to leave it. . . . until the next time!

Good vibrations?

2011-02-11T10:22:00.000-08:00

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University have discovered and decoded communications between honey bees.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/nottingham/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_9394000/9394955.stm

They found that honey bees make special vibrations before they swarm; an event which tends to lead to their deaths. ( Swarming doesn't usually lead to actual bee deaths, but it can mean you lose a colony of bees to the wild blue yonder if you don't catch 'em at it ! - AK)

Scientists now hope to make a device that will warn bee keepers by email or text, giving them enough time to act.

Dr Martin Bencsik said: "This could provide a key to slowing the dramatic rate of decline in honey bee populations across the world."

Bees are the world's most important pollinating insects and are worth about £200m a year to British agriculture.

Their dramatic decline in numbers has become a cause of global concern.

It is said to be down to a combination of factors including a loss of wildflower habitats and the diversity of plants within them, as well as the use of pesticides, and disease.

AVAAZ petition to save the honeybees - please sign online

2011-01-08T07:18:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

Silently, billions of bees are dying off and our entire food chain is in danger. Bees don't just make honey, they are a giant, humble workforce, pollinating 90% of the plants we grow.

Scientists increasingly blame one group of toxic pesticides for their rapid demise, and bee populations have soared in four European countries that have banned these products. But powerful chemical companies are lobbying hard to keep selling this poison. Our best chance to save bees now is to push the US and EU to join the ban -- their action is critical and will have a ripple effect on the rest of the world.

We have no time to lose -- the debate is raging about what to do. This is not just about saving bumble bees, this is about our survival. Let’s build a giant global buzz calling for the EU and US to outlaw these killer chemicals and save our bees and our food. Sign the emergency petition now and send it on to everyone and we’ll deliver it to key decision makers:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/97.php?cl_tta_sign=eb9c769d651f17111c250698eb9dabab

Brrrrrrrrrr !

2011-01-08T06:41:00.001-08:00

In what seems to be the coldest and snowiest December since God were a lad, our hives have been under a thick blanket of snow for days at a time and we have lost quite a few bees. When the snow falls, the bees see the reflected whiteness and interpret that as sunlight, they leave the hive for a quick "evacuation flight" and before they know it they have frozen on the wing. You cannot trap them in the hive, even if you think it would be for their own good, as they will not foul in the hives. If they develop health problems such as Acerin they will need to leave the hive. As a way of at least giving them "thinking time" . . .( do they really want to fly in this weather??? ). . . I have devised a simple hive attachment which slows them down as they exit the brood box. This is just a piece of sturdy card, folded in such a way as to create a "lean to" against the front of the hive and a metal mouseguard is taped to the front edge to facilitate easy exit. The sides are fully open so they still get a sense of daylight but it is very much reduced from the full glare of sun on freshly fallen snow. The card is simply pinned to the hive and the landing board. If the plan works, we will invest in some more duarble black corrugated polyproylene card for next year - for now an old carton seems to do the trick! We have also taken the precaution of placing an empty super beneath the brood box to create a kind of vestibule, redicing draughts into the hive, and wrapped silver radiator lagging around the sides and back of the hive. We keep an open mesh floor but put the plastic tray in to help keep good airflow but reduce the draughts. Bees have always survived extreme conditions of cold, but it is the wetness and damp that can kill them. Fingers crossed, ours are good and snug!

ROWSE HONEY HAS A NEW WEBSITE

2010-11-29T07:30:00.001-08:00

We're getting in touch to let you know we've just launched a lovely new

website to match our brand new look. If you haven't been on our site in

a while, you'll notice quite a difference, but hopefully you'll be pleased with

our little makeover. Pop by and meet our busy bees and have a look around the site. You'll find everything from yummy recipes and healthyremedies to classroom tools and fun stuff for kids. And while you're there,

don't forget to claim your exclusive Rowse Eco bag if you haven't already.

Hope to see you soon at www.rowsehoney.co.uk

The Rowse Honey team

If you have any enquiries about Rowse Honey, please send an email to

enquiries@rowsehoney.co.uk. Please remember to include a telephone number

where we can contact you.

Rowse Honey Ltd, Moreton Avenue, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 9DE.

RISE IN URBAN BEEKEEPERS

2010-10-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

Rise in urban beekeepers

By Emily Beament

Thursday, 28 October 2010

On the face of the sun . . .

2010-08-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

I caught one of my "girls" enjoying a pollen bath on the face of the sun(flower!). Check out that yellow dusted bottom! Sunflowers are a brilliant late summer source of pollens and nectar for the honey bees and also many other pollinators such as hover flies and bumblebees. Once the flower has died off the heads can be dried out and given to the birds who relish the seeds.

A smug glug . . .

2010-08-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

Banrock Station Good Earth fine wines are supporting the Co-operatives Plan Bee campaign. Since 1995 it has been their philosophy to contribute to global conservation donating over £2m to 95 environmental projects worlwide. In purchasing a bottle of this special edition wine you will have donated 5p to PLAN BEE which is helping honey bees here in the UK. I shall be making this cheeky little Semillion Savignon Blanc my late summer tipple and enjoy it responsibly as a "smug glug!" (They also had a selection of Banrock red and rose. . . yet to be explored!) Salute!!

The (almost) vanishing of the bees

2010-05-19T04:08:00.001-07:00

My bees have just swarmed! Twice!

With their impeccable timing they almost caught me on the hop! I had been very much looking forward to joining some friends at a music event up in Manchester on 11^th May, tickets had been bought long ago, outfits had been selected and discarded and selected again, plans had been made, and the evening promised to be wonderful.However . . .

With an hour to go before this novice beekeeper must head off up the M1, . . our bees decided to swarm. It was about 12.30 in the afternoon.

Funnily enough, I had been feeling rather irritable and uncommonly twitchy all morning, kind of eager to get off, but not wanting to leave, I had just decided that a cup of tea and a walk around the garden would sort me out for the journey ahead.

I heard the bees before I saw them. A very loud, high pitched buzzing, most unlike their usual contented purr . The air was black above our garden and it seemed as though a hundred thousand bees had taken flight.

Fortunately, we did swarming on the training course and in the winter classes, so I knew they would probably settle somewhere nearby. I yelled out into the garden “If you are going to do that right now . . can you please land in a handy tree!!” .

Bless’em, they did, they went for a bit of a neighbours shrubbery overhanging our privet hedge. Fortunately, the neighbours were on holiday.

I summonsed Martin (my husband) from work and we were able to readily re-capture the swarm as they had formed a football sized ball, perfect for bagging up with a large fishing net after carefully chopping the main holding branch with some long handled snippers. There were so many bees, that we were not able to accommodate all of them in the net, so a second attempt was made with the skep which had been made by Martin on a recent skepping course . All that was needed was to deposit them carefully onto a clean white sheet placed on the lawn and to watch them trundle meekly into a nice snug nuc’ box.

It was a heartwarming sight, all those bees going in the same direction, very calm, very deliberate.

It started to look like rain, so we quickly erected the gazebo over the spot and left them to make their way in, safe and dry.

I realised, the Manchester jaunt was off!

By late afternoon, it was obvious that the remaining bees simply could not fit through the entrance into the nuc’. It seemed we had a “prime swarm” with the old Queen having taken flight.

There was nothing for it but to get them into a full sized brood box before evening came, as the stragglers would be perished. Fortunately, there was a second hive made up ready for action. Problem was . . I didn’t have enough brood frames made up.

I called a local pal, Alec who abandoned making his dinner to run round with some of his frames, for which I was very grateful. It was only once he had scooted off again that I realised they were the wrong sort, there were no spacers. Aaargh! I had to make the executive decision to cobble together some new frames there and then. This is not my favourite task, Martin is the handy man, he likes nails and wood and hammers and stuff. I think I made a passable job of the frames and was able to transfer the frames from the nuc’ into the middle of the brood box and the newly made ones to the front and back. The remainder of the bees quickly found their way into the new hive and were safely tucked up by dusk. I had given them a topfeed of sugar syrup and left them to settle down.

By next morning, it looked like business as usual, both hives active, bees bumbling about on the landing boards, and peace prevailed once more.Phew!

We assumed it was all over for this year and were rather smugly patting ourselves on the backs.

The next hive inspection revealed 2 Queen cells, one open and being cleaned out by a worker bee, and the other ripe and still sealed.

Then we heard the mysterious piping . . . like a high pitched sqeak. It came from inside the hive and we knew it meant there was a queen about to hatch.

Once the hive was resealed, we noticed the workers on the landing board were all "bottoms up", fanning like mad. It seems a queen must have been out on her mating flight.

I waited to see if I could spot her returning, but eventualy the fanning bees got bored and went in the hive and there was nothing else to see.

Next morning all looked peaceful again.

Now, it amazes me how the timing of these things works, but here you go!

I took the dog out a little later than usual, and we stayed out a little longer than usual.I got back to find the garden swarming with bees . . . again. . . I could not believe it! (Exactly a week since the first swarming.)

Ten minutes earlier or later and I would not have known about it.

I knew they would settle somewhere and again yelled out to them to make it somewhere safe and convenient. This time they chose a nice shrub in our garden within easy access with no ladders required.

I called Martin, but knew he was tied up all day on a site project and would not be able to come home to help. I didn't feel panicked, they looked very manageable. My urgent requirement was some brood frames for the nuc as my last ones had gone into the new brood box.

I called Alec from down the road and he came over, with his own nuc'.We recaptured them easily and they were very compliant. Martins skep came in handy again!

Somehow it felt too easy.

The swarm was quite small compared to the last one and it easily plopped into the skep with a little jiggle of the branch. I simply carried them over to the nuc, dropped them in and carefully put in the frames. The few stragglers made their way in through the entrance and before too long it was all over . They were safe and settled.

Alecwas planning to have these ones for his hives on his allotment where he has 4 hives awaiting bees.

Unfortunately for Alec, our bees had other plans and overnight they all drifted back to the original hive with no trace of the queen. They all seem very settled now, and we have had to put a second super on in anticipation of the lime trees flowering on our road. My workroom overlooks the lime trees so I will know exactly when it is comes on.

Everything was achieved with no stings administered to selves or pets or neighbours.

Hurrah for the bees!

GERMANY: supporting local beekeepers with Heimathonig

2010-04-28T01:02:00.000-07:00

Heimathonig is an online directory of local beekeepers, helping consumers buy honey directly from the source. Beekeepers' profiles include details of the bees and the flowers they gather nectar from. Check out the website below for more information.

Website: www.heimathonig.de
Contact: www.heimathonig.de/kontakt

This snippet came to me via www.springwise.com

BBKA adopt a beehive scheme

2010-03-23T01:04:00.000-07:00

This new adoption scheme offers a regional selection of beekeepers who will be particpating in this fundraising project on behalf of BBKA.
www.adoptabeehive.co.uk

One in three mouthfuls of the food we eat is dependent on pollination at a time when a crisis is threatening the world's honey bees.

They are dying out at unacceptably high levels. You can make a difference by sponsoring a beehive with the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA).

The money raised will fund research into honey bee health, and education programmes for beekeepers. You can see a list of all the projects the BBKA is aiming to fund by clicking here.

If you would like to share in the hidden world of beekeepers and their honey bees Adopt a Beehive today and help us save the honey bee.

Rebecca Chesney at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park

2010-03-09T03:53:00.000-08:00

Artist Rebecca Chesney begins a year long residency at YSP, researching the bees and plants of the Bretton Estate to develop new work. With the help of experts and visitors, Chesney’s residency also draws attention to the plight of bees. Bees are under great threat and their disappearance would have a catastrophic effect on nature and humans.

The artist’s previous projects, which look at changing environments and human activity, have resulted in exhibitions of drawings, photographs, installations and films.

The YSP Centre display includes further information, ways to become involved in the project and a virtual hive.

Events

On MAY DAY BANK HOLIDAY join the artist and local experts for walking tours in the landscape, see live hives on site, and take part in bee-friendly activities for all ages. See Family events for details>

Project supported by First Direct.

First pollens of Spring

2010-03-09T03:44:00.000-08:00

Yippee! Today is sunny and mild so the bees have come out for a bit of a forage in the gardens and a fossick on the landing board. They are lugging home big sacks of orange pollens, probably from crocus as the daffs are not quite out yet. This little worker was "papped" in mid flight on the home journey. They seem very happy with themselves and I feel I can breathe a sigh of relief and say they have "wintered well". Phew!!!! What a relief.

Winter warmer

2010-02-11T10:12:00.000-08:00

photo martinfrost.ws
Google Images

Oh what could be yummier than a big bowl of steaming porridge on a freezing cold morning? (or lunchtime, or teatime or suppertime for that matter) I have been experimenting this winter with a delicious and invigorating mix to put a bit of extra vavavoom into my belly and get my energy levels up. This will keep you going for a few hours without the need to snack on rubbishy nibbles.

Make your porridge just how you like it.
Make up a mixture of powdered spices : cinnamon/ginger/nutmeg and bee pollen. I use a tablespoon of each in a small jar and give it agood old shake.
When your porridge is done, stir in a teaspoonful of the magic mixture and top it off with a dollop of good honey just for good measure.

This warms you up immediately, gets your metabolism and blood sugars balanced and is very satisfying and healthy. YUM!!!

Jammy bees . . .

2010-02-11T07:54:00.000-08:00

A bloke in the pub honestly asked me this " In the summer, if you take your beehives , and put them in a field of stawberries . . .will you get jam?"

I am not sure if he was joking or not . . xxxxxx

Photo from Google Images

ADOPT A HIVE scheme

2010-01-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

I just came across this fabulous website by chance in an article published in Countery Life magazine in Sept 2009.

Tony Gray, expert beekeeper and MD of the "adopt a hive " scheme has set up a really engaging website www.adoptahive.co.uk which allows the "beeless beekeper" to make a contribution to the welfare and upkeep of a colony of bees who are managed and maintained by Tony. This is what Tony has to say . . . .

" Our fuzzy black and yellow friends are vital to our well-being as they pollinate the plants that we grow for food. But our British bees are in crisis. Their population is dwindling at an alarming rate under attack from viruses, pesticides and mites.

Adopt-a-hive is where you can make a real difference.

You can help start a new bee colony by buying a year long, 1/12 share in a hive for only £29.99, with the option to maintain your involvement in the project for a longer term at a reduced rate.

In return youll receive a special shareholder certificate, some lovely flower seeds to attract more bees to your garden and 1lb of yummy honey made especially for you, by your bees as a thank you.

Adopt-a-hive makes the perfect gift for nature lovers, keen gardeners and honey monsters everywhere. As well as being a unique present youll be helping to pollinate the planet and ensuring the future, not only of our little buzzing buddies but also all the essential fruits and vegetables we currently enjoy."

Check it out for the full information . . . www.adoptahive.co.uk

MANUKA HONEY :

2009-11-18T03:52:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to a very enlightening and informative on-line service , the Health Sciences Institute which delivers all manner of interesting news regarding health and well being. A recent piece regarding the amazing properties of Manuka honey caught my attention and I asked for their permission to share the article with you on this website.Permission granted, here it is and I urge you to check out their website www.thehealthierlife.co.uk and sign up using this link for your own subscription. http://signup.agorapub.co.uk/HL/dh.html?newsourcecode2=XHDHD702

MANUKA HONEY

Manuka honey, has been found to be effective against MRSA. In addition, it’s also beneficial against Helicobacter pylori infections (such as peptic ulcers and gastritis), diabetic foot ulcers, post-surgical wounds… you name it, this honey can probably heal it.

Manuka honey is derived from the manuka bush – a shrub in the tea tree family, which is indigenous to New Zealand (with a close relative in some parts of Australia), and which only blooms for three weeks out of the year. This is not your typical honey, although all types of honey demonstrate antiseptic ability to some extent.

The science behind history’s sweetest bacteria-buster

In order to fully grasp how manuka honey works, it helps to understand the antiseptic properties of ordinary honey first. These are due to several factors. The first of these is honey’s osmotic – or water-withdrawing – effect. Not only does its ability to draw fluid from tissues give wounds a moist healing environment (absolutely necessary for new tissue growth) but it also draws harmful bacteria out and away from the point of infection.

Moreover, honey’s fructose and glucose molecules interact strongly with water, leaving very few H2O molecules “free.” This inhibits the growth of the many strains of bacteria that require interaction with water in order to multiply. Nevertheless, there are still strains of bacteria that thrive under such conditions – so this quality alone can’t offer complete protection.

Another healing aspect of ordinary honey is its acidity. The ideal pH range for the sustained growth of most pathogens is between 7.2 and 7.4. With a pH of between 3.2 and 4.5, however, the environment that honey creates around a wound is effectively hostile toward bacteria. But unfortunately, when diluted by bodily fluids of a higher pH, honey’s natural acidity is reduced, preventing it from reaching deeper tissue and making for a much less reliable antibacterial agent.

The third and most noteworthy element of honey’s curative ability is its hydrogen peroxide content that is produced after bees secrete glucose oxidase into the nectar. However, the antibacterial capabilities of this hydrogen peroxide are short-lived, as during the process of maturation the honey’s acidity will cause the hydrogen peroxide to decompose by rendering glucose oxidase virtually inactive. For this reason, full-strength honey does not offer significant protection from bacteria.

All things considered, there’s no doubt that honey is a great thing to keep around the house for minor cuts or burns – and even for treating more serious conditions if handled correctly – but its limitations are also pretty clear. An ointment for stubborn post-surgical wounds and severe bedsores would have to be leaps and bounds more powerful – not to mention stable enough as to be impervious to outside factors such as temperature, light, moisture and age. And that’s where the phytochemicals in manuka honey set it apart.

Manuka honey succeeds where other types of honey fail

Unlike other varieties of honey, manuka has an additional antibacterial property that isn’t attributable to acidity, osmolarity, or the activity of hydrogen peroxide – evidenced primarily by its being twice as effective as other forms of honey against certain types of aggressive bacteria, including E. coli and MRSA (J Appl Bacteriol. 1992 Nov; 73(5): 388-94).

One of its advantages is that dilution doesn’t affect its antibacterial activity, so all of its original acidity is spared. It also doesn’t require oxygen – making it ideal for dressings and the cavities of deep wounds. And most importantly, its activity is unaffected by the enzymes present in wound fluid – which is one of the major shortcomings of other types of honey in this context (J Pharm Pharmacol. 1991 Dec; 43(12):817-22).

Manuka honey also has other health benefits – including an ability to help combat gastric ulcers. A study performed by Professor of Biochemistry Dr Molan and his team at The Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, showed that five different biopsies of gastric ulcers all responded positively when exposed to a solution consisting of 20 per cent manuka honey. A 40- per cent solution of another type of honey (the antibacterial activity of which relied on hydrogen peroxide alone) elicited no response at all (J R Soc Med. 1994 Jan;87(1):9-12).

Further research has revealed that a solution consisting of as little as 5 per cent active manuka is still capable of delivering significant protection – most likely, the research team concluded, due to the inhibition of helicobacter pylori, something which may explain one of honey’s traditional uses as a treatment for dyspepsia.

In another study conducted over a 21-day trial period, 30 volunteers were assigned to chew or suck on either sugarless gum or a chewable form of manuka honey for ten minutes, three times a day, in order to assess the possible effects the honey might have on gingivitis and plaque. At the end of the trial, both plaque scores and bleeding sites were significantly reduced in the manuka group. No significant changes were noted in the control group (J Int Acad Periodontol. 2004 Apr;6(2):63-7).

To benefit from manuka honey, take two to three teaspoonfuls (10-15g) before meals.

Rachael Linkie
UK Editor
Health Sciences Institute

Lagging the bees

2009-11-09T01:30:00.001-08:00

Brrrrrr ...... with the onset of the winter we have snuggled our bees down under a layer of "lagging". this is easily available from the DIY store and comes on a roll and can be cut to fit with scissors. We have pinned a layer around just 3 sides of the hive, fom just under the lid (leaving the ventilation holes clear) to the base (leaving the varroa tray access clear). to further help reduce draughts, we have plaed the brood box onto an empty super to give a bit of depth between the their front door access and the brood chamber. It might mean a bit more for the bees work to get back into their frames but we trust it will pay dividends in keeping the hive airy but draught free. The lagging can easily be removed and re-used come the spring.

"OM MANI PADME HUM"

2009-11-04T10:23:00.001-08:00

"OM MANI PADME HUM"
I recently had the opportunity to take part in a Tibetan blessing ceremony with Lama Ahbay Rinpoche during his visit to gorton monastery in Manchester. During his teaching he illustrated the OM symbo, using one element of the Tibetan prayer flag, as being in 3 parts ( like a bee) and spoke of the "peace that is found when a human being is surrounded by the sound of Om" . What I heard was "humming bees" and my minds eye was filled with the idea of having the prayer flags wrapped around my hives to surround my humming bees with the peace of Om. After the ceremony, I enquired as to whether the prayer flags could be purchased on behalf of my bees, and was truly thrilled to be gifted two sets to use. I wasted no time in installing the prayer flags and the bees seem very happy with them. I explained the story to the bees and also the fact that neither of us needed to become buddhist in order to appreciate the intention of the gesture. We feel truly blessed.

Bee on a bears nose- National Geographic

2009-11-04T10:20:00.000-08:00

This is a National Geographic photo which was forwarded to me recently and I feel totally inspired to share it!

The Vanishing of the Bees film release . . .

2009-10-09T11:50:00.001-07:00

This week sees the cinema release of Vanishing of the Bees, an eye-opening documentary about the declining bee population, which is supported by The Co-operative as part of our Plan Bee campaign.

From Friday 9 October, the film will be in selected cinemas across the country. View the trailer or find your nearest screening.


	Sign the petition Bees are dying in their millions and nobody knows for certain why. As much as £10 million has been set aside to fund research into the causes of bee deaths in the UK. As yet, however, there has been no commitment to fund research into the potential effects of pesticides, despite growing anecdotal evidence that this may be a factor. The Co-operative is therefore petitioning the Government for research into the impact of pesticides on bees. Sign the petition. As a precaution, The Co-operative has already prohibited the use of a group of pesticides on all of our own-brand fresh and frozen produce. These pesticides, called neonicotinoids, have been linked to bee declines elsewhere in Europe. Find out what else The Co-operative is doing for bees. Creating a buzz Plan Bee has seen some great media coverage recently. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook. We'll be in touch soon with more updates from our campaigns. Thanks for your support, Campaigns team The Co-operative

Extreme bee rescue adventures!

2009-09-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

A very distressed lady called me about a week ago to ask if I could help deal with some hives which had been left by a recently deceased relative. He had apparently "loved" his bees and she told me there were two hives somewhere in the garden but she wasn't sure where. The widow wanted rid in the kindest possible way and so they had called me. I asked how on earth they had got my private telephone number? Apparently , when they went through his wallet, the deceased gentleman had a scrap of paper with my name and number and the word "bees" scribbled beside it. Serendipity!?

I called a couple of expert beekeepers from our group as professional and experienced back up and we arranged to go over to the house and see what was what on the Tuesday afternoon.

I arrived on site about 30 minutes before the others, and nothing, . . . nothing . . could have prepared me for what greeted us. The "garden" was more a wilderness grown up and around what had obviously been a scrap yard. Old tyres, broken fridges, bedsteads, mattresses, junk of all sorts was strewn around the yard and hidden in the undergrowth like bear traps for the unsuspecting novice beekeeper. I introduced myself to the widow, who made it clear she didn't want to have to have anything to do with the operation, and we should just get on with it. She told us to take whatever equipment we found and do whatever we wanted with it, give it a good home! So, I ventured forth with my little smoker in hand like Red Riding Hood in the woods. Eventually I found a hive, shoulder deep in brambles and undergrowth and very active with bees. It looked a dodgy thing with a big polystyrene box halfway up the hive and wobbly bits of wood barely holding together. There were umpteen bits of hive abandoned around the area and I managed to salvage quite a lot just to clear some working space.

Still my freinds had not arrived on site.

I went to look for the second hive and found it deep in a woodland glade full of rubbish and even more of a death trap. This hive looked in fairly good nick, but again it was all put together with the wrong boxes in the wrong places.

When the others arrived, we set to sorting out the first hive, to open it up and then reduce the size of the thing and make it manageable to strap it up and tape the holes and get it into their van. It was not easy getting a full hive of pissed off bees over that wild terrain without dropping them. Anyway, we did it and no harm done to either party. Hurrah!

The second hive was a very different kettle of fish. Somehow the bees had made their home in the lid,(see photo) so when we pulled it off they were understandably furious and rained down on us from all directions. It was futile to run, so we carried on going through the hive, removing the rotten and broken things and clearing a space for the bees as best we could. There was no option but to scrape the comb off the lid, bees and all, into the brood box and replace the Queen excluder and then the lid on top of the lot. . . . then run like billyo. Them bees wuz mad at us!!!!!

We were able to load up with quite a lot of re-useable equipment and to make an arrangement with the widow to come back the next day for the second hive . Hopefully the maddened bees would have calmed down a bit by then. Unfortunately, the two experts had to go on to Derbyshire to attend to their own bees, so they could not come again but suggested that my pal Bob and husband Martin could do the job with me. Ooooooer!

Despite my vivid descriptions of the terrain and the circumstances, I don't think Bob or Martin had quite fully grasped the situation. When we arrived, jaws dropped and loins were girded.

Sadly, Bob didn't take my advice to wear "full armour plating" very seriously and so as soon as we started strapping the beehive he was badly stung on the wrists and arms where they got into his gloves and into his sleeves. It was like a cartoon caper with us running from the woods with Bob waving and flapping his hands and me trying to puff smoke onto him to drive them off and disperse the pheromones of the stings. Once Bob was fully gaffer taped into his gloves and jacket and I had taped the tops of my wellies (just to be sure), we trundled off into the woods again.

Truly, I have never seen anything like it, these bees were everywhere and narky as hell. We had to work quickly, smoothly and efficiently and get the hive strapped and secured, tape the entrances ( not nice to have bees stuck on gaffer tape . . . ouch!) and then lift the hive on its stand, like a Chinese Emperor on his throne. Negotiating that out of the woods was a miracle of the guys courage and my navigational skills.

Once we had the hive clear of the undergrowth and up on the yard, we could think about getting it into my van. I insisted on more tape and a sheet over the whole lot. I didn't want angry bees loose in the van.

Sods law, we hit rush hour back into Nottingham, so now the bees were really hot and bothered as well as already mightily pissed off.

When we got back to our house, we had to unload them and get them into our garden to a spot we had cleared as a temporary home for them. It was a case of pull off the tape and run!

So we did!

It took about half an hour before we could go back to them, and thank god it was raining so they mostly stayed in the hive. We all agreed to leave them for a couple of days to settle and then see what's what. To help aclimatise them to us, Martin and I put our days socks on top of the hive so they could get our scent ( it could only improve for them after that!)

The next day I went out really early before they were up and about and put a fence around the hive, not to stop them escaping but to keep the pets off them.

On "what's what" day, Bob came over early and we went in fully armoured up. They had settled quite well and the tone of buzz had dropped to something less scary and they seemed quite compliant to our attentions. Already they had cleaned out the mess from the broken combs and had made good the damaged frames in their brood box. We found about 20lbs of good honey ready to be spun off (Martin took that and did it today in Bobs shed) We have given them a sugar feed to help settle them and a nice new landing board which says "NICE BEES" in magenta pink paint and a lovely rose quartz crystal on the top of the lid. I trust they will feel pampered and inspired. Inside the lid, there is some lepidolite ( they seem to love the lithium element) and some sulphur quartz ( for cleansing) and some citrine (for joy and happiness). I am not sure what they made of the worn socks, but they didn't seem as angry towards us as they had before. No one got stung today.

However, the first night we had them they stung poor little Ruby dog. She was really distressed as the bees were in her chest hairs buzzing frantically. I thought she had swallowed one as I could hear it buzzing away. She is of course used to sniffing at our nice little Twinkle bees and them paying no heed to her. She wasn't expecting an assault. Anyway, we dosed her up with Piriton as advised by the emergency vet, and she slowly went to sleep like you do with antihistimaines. Fortunately she did not have to drive or operate machinary!

So, if you think of our bees in terms of ice cream, our Twinkles are probably raspberry ripple to these new ones chilli & chocolate. Hopefully, with a bit of TLC the new ones can be nurtured into harmony and happiness like ours are. They have a long way to go and as yet we don't know the real state of the colonys health. However, we have agreed to winter them here and in the spring, if they are nice and settled, they can be re-homed with some freinds who want bees. If not, they can go to the NBKA apiary and become part of the teaching set up. Whatever, we will of course do our best for them.

The previous owner was by all accounts a good hearted and generally kind fellow if a little misguided at times and rather a "hobbyist" according to his wife. He ran a scrap yard and had previously done so from the house, hence all the rubbish around. In fact it probably served wildlife quite well as much of the stuff was hidden where nature had reclaimed it. But it seems he was well loved and generous and in his own misguided way he loved his bees. We are grateful his widow called me and didn't just resort to a petrol can and a box of matches, which could have been easier all round. She told us he was very aware of the crisis the bees face and so that was why he decided to get a few hives.

Watch this space . . . we will be paying claose attention to this new hive!

Best in show!!!

2009-09-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

How about this for a result!? We entered our first harvest honey and a full comb "ready for extraction" into our local NBKA honey competition at the Moorgreen Show on August Bank Holiday here in Nottinghamshire. We had absolutely no expectations as we are of course novices, but with some encouragement for our mentor Bob we decided to give it ago. We entered the honey into the "beginners"class and as there was only the one entry . . us. . . we felt any prize would be a hollow victory as it was a one horse race. The frame of honey was head to head with Bobs, so again we had no expectations. When the judging was finished, I was surprised to see them heading my way, beaming smiles of congratulations at having awarded us "First Prize". My enthusisam was tempered by my knowledge we were the only entrants in the class, but, what I failed to understand was that we had actually won BEST IN SHOW. That means, we beat all the other entries at all class levels. How fabulous! We were of course blessed with the lime trees in full bloom when our bees first arrived and that is what they foraged. The honey was declared "exquisite". Our frame won 2nd prize and Bobs won 3rd ( neither were good enough for a 1st) . We couldn't wait to tell the bees how well they had done. Now, we are going one step further and entering the Autumn Show, taking our chances in a bigger arena in October. Of course if we win anything more we will be thrilled, and our bees will be "the bees knees!"

God and Grass

2009-08-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

I didn't write this . . . but I wish I had. . . it was sent to me by e-mail provenance unknown, but thank you to whoever originally wrote it. xxxxxx brilliant!

GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colours by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles. ST. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass. GOD : Grass? But, it's so boring. It's not colourful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees; only grubs and sod worms. It's sensitive to temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there? ST. FRANCIS : Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn. GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast.. That must make the Suburbanites happy. ST. FRANCIS : Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it - sometimes twice a week. GOD : They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay? ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags. GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it? ST. FRANCIS : No, Sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away. GOD : Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away? ST. FRANCIS : Yes, Sir. GOD : These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work. ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it, so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it. GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life. ST. FRANCIS : You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away. GOD : No! What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose? ST. FRANCIS : After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves. GOD: And where do they get this mulch? ST. FRANCIS : They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch. GOD : Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight? ST. CATHERINE: "Dumb and Dumber", Lord. It's a story about.... GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.

RSPB advocates a spoonful of sugar to revive droopy bees

2009-08-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

A spoonful of WHITE sugar could help our bees

Having heard a snippet on Radio 4 this morning advocating offering the bees in your garden a drink of sugar water, I felt moved to highlight the fact that you must use WHITE sugar. I am sure many well intention souls will go to the trouble of finding the finest organic unrefined brown sugar thinking it will be better for the bees, more nutritious and delicious. Anything other than basic bog standard white refined sugar is actually likely to cause severe diorreah which will do more harm than good. You just need two spoons of white granulates sugar to one spoon of water, but the sugar must be absolutely dissolved. Beekeepers usually boil up a gallon at a time until it is a syrup, but a gallon goes avery long way in a regular garden of bees!

This is what the RSPB have to say:

"On the rare occasion we’ve had a hot day this summer, I bet you’ve gulped down a sugary drink to help you cool off?

Well our dwindling bee population could benefit from a similar sweet treat according to the RSPB.

‘Busy as a bee’ is a fitting phrase as bees are hard working and incredibly important pollinators.

Bees are at their busiest at this time of year. Sometimes they become exhausted and lie on the ground, seemingly dead, as they rest a while.

But the RSPB is suggesting that a sweet drink, made from WHITE sugar and water, could give them the energy boost they need.

Simply mixing around two tablespoons of white, granulated sugar with one tablespoon of water, and placing the mix in a small container like an egg cup among bees’ favourite flowers, will provide them with energy at this busy time.

No more than these amounts should be put out at any one time so they don’t have excess amounts of sugar. The wildlife charity suggests small containers so that birds don’t dive in for a sugary bath.

Despite seeming an obvious choice, honey is not a suitable alternative. Most honey is imported and although good for us humans, it may not suit our native bees.

Val Osborne, Head of RSPB Wildlife Enquiries, says: “Busy as a bee is a true saying – bees are working to save the planet and they really do deserve our help.

“We’ve been getting even more calls about bees than ever this year as most people have read that they are in trouble.

“Many people keep seeing bees lying on the ground and assume they are dead but chances are they are having a rest.

“Much like us, a sugary drink could boost their energy levels and a simple sugar and water combination will be a welcome treat.

“Just make sure you only leave out the suggested small amounts and use a small cup so that birds can’t get in it.”

Wildflowers and crops alike depend on the hard work of our endearing bumblebees, but sadly many species are now under threat. Habitat loss has already led to the extinction of three species, and several more are severely threatened, including the wild honey bee, the short-haired bumblebee and the large, noisy and very familiar, garden bumble bee.

Hay meadows and clover leys are now seldom seen in today’s farmland, leaving little for bumblebees to feed on, so both farmers and conservationists need to do what they can to help.

Gardeners can also make a big difference by planting flowering plants which provide vital nectar and pollen for bees and other insects.

Knapweeds, sunflowers, purple loosestrife and buddleia are among those plants that are valuable to wildlife.

Solitary bees also like to burrow into dry sunny banks or warm patches of bare earth in a lawn or border, even among a pile of stones. Try to retain such features in your garden.

What can I do?

Tell us about your garden and we’ll provide you with tailored wildlife-gardening advice!

Take part in Homes for Wildlife

BEEHAUS for bees in your garden, honey on your toast!

2009-08-10T01:01:00.000-07:00

I just came across this site www.omlet.co.uk which offers the fabulous BEEHAUS as an alternative way of keeping and rearing bees in a more city environment. It is very similar to the popular EGGLU system and although I have not had the opportunity to "road test" one of these myself, thay look like a really good, practical alternative to the traditional wooden hives. They also take standard National frames for the broodbox and honey super.
Bees in your garden, honey on your toast!
"Ever since early humans discovered nests of bees in the wild, honey has rightly been considered a prized possession. Now, with the new beehaus from Omlet, you can enjoy the fascinating experience of keeping bees in your own garden or rooftop.

With a beehaus in your garden, you'll soon be saying "Show me the honey!"

Inspired by the way bees live in the wild and building on the classic principles of beekeeping, you will find the beehaus a delight to use. Omlet's service and support will give you all the confidence you need to keep bees in your garden.

As the old beekeepers saying goes, "there is nothing better than spreading thick delicious honey onto a slice of piping hot toast - except when it's been collected by your very own bees."

Dorsets honey monsters enjoy the "honey that money can't buy"

2009-08-06T09:02:00.001-07:00

Hello Darlink

We both know and understand just how cheap words can be.., our industry has more than its share of bullshit...

So...

Rather than just fire off a quick e-mail, or phone call... We thought we would REALLY show you just how much we appreciated your lovely gesture.
We took your honey on our Sunday morning breakfast run to our local motorbike cafe at the harbour at West Bay (Bridport). And to prove how much we all enjoyed it we took some piccys...

An excellent breakfast and a good time was had by all...

Thanks again for such a lovely gift

Cheers

"The honey monster..."

P.S. We took some of our Stinsford stuff as well, but our fellow "breakfasters" preferred yours..!!!!!!!

PESTIVAL 4-6th September 2009

2009-08-03T09:57:00.001-07:00

Check out this celebration of the art of being an insect www.pestival.org . A three day event taking place at Londons South Bank Centre examining insect/human interaction through contemporary art, cinema, music and comedy as well as scientific demonsrations and educational projects. It all looks like great fun !

The golden liquid

2009-08-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

Look at this glorious stream of gold pouring into the collecting bucket. At this stage the honey still needed to be filtered as it had little blobs of wax cappings, and the odd bit of wing or leg but basically it was like pure gold running out of the spinner. It is like a whole sticky little universe in the act of creation.

The Honey That Money Can't Buy . . .

2009-08-03T09:32:00.001-07:00

We just harvested our first batch of honey last week. In a miraculously short time, just about 4 weeks, our magical bees had managed to produce a full super of honey which delivered around 25lbs. We have only had the bees about 6 weeks so their efforts have been highly applauded. After spinning the frames in Bobs honey shed, it was left to filter for a fewe days, then decanted into half pound jars which we then lidded and labelled individually. There was something very satisfying about enjoying our first slice of buttered toast with our own honey spread on top! YUM! As it happens. . . that is pretty much all Martin and I got, a scrape on our toast, as we had over promised on our production to freinds and family at christmas, when instead of a traditional shabby trinket, they got a fabulous hand made voucher with a donation in their name to our local Beekeeping Association and a promisory note that they would get a jar of the golden liquid in due course! 25lbs goes nowhere fast under such circumstances. So here is a glimpse of the "honey that money can't buy" before our stocks were depleted.

Huddling bees

2009-07-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

I noticed my bees huddling in their doorway during the recent rainy spell. They remined me of how cats will peer through a catflap, then go to a window or another door to see if the prospect is any better from a different angle. I suspect they are keeping the dampness out of the broodbox by using their own bodies like a draught excluder. Come on . . . bring back the sunshine. . . my bees are fed up with all this rain!

Soil Association supporting bees too!

2009-07-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.soilassociation.org/Takeaction/Savethehoneybee/tabid/434/Default.aspx

Doing their bit for the bees too!

BEES IN ACTION at ART IN ACTION 16 -19th July

2009-07-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

"ART in ACTION" is a feast for the soul and the senses. . . so states the flyer for this years annual event at Waterperry Gardens in Oxon (Oxfordshire). It is one of the longest running art and craft festivals in the UK, attracting hundereds of high calbre artists and artisans demonstating and displaying a vast array of artistic disciplines.
The event is organised by volunteers from THE SCHOOL OF ECONOMIC SCIENCE (www.schoolof economicscience.org) and they provide a service to the public which makes the heart sing!
What has all this arty stuff to do with bees you may ask?
Well, the owner of our local "corner shop" for beekeeping supplies . . Tony Maggs will be taking a small stand on site to promote the cause of the honey bee with his very own "BEES in ACTION" . As well as having a thriving shop "The Honey Pot" at Markeaton Park in Derby, Tony is a honey producer and an experienced beekeeper with a HUGE amount of knowledge about, and passion for his bees. Tony will have a selection of goodies and informative information about how YOU can make a difference to the survival of the bees and consequently, the ongoing survival of the planet. No small task for Tony then! Please . . . go and see him. . . have a chat. . . be inspired. . . do what you can. . . buy some honey. . . plant some seeds. . . whatever you can manage.
For more information about the ART in ACTION event, please go to www.artinaction.org.uk or for more information about what Tony gets up to in Derby check out his site www.localhoney.co.uk .

PS: I will be popping alone on Thursday 16th!

The broken hearted Madonna and the honey bees

2009-07-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

This beautiful and deeply symbolic photograph was taken recently by a beekeeper freind of mine when she was called out to attend to a swarm. The honey bees had taken up residence in the heart centre of this statue of the Madonna ( we believe it is of the Madonna. . . apologies if it is not!). It perfectly represents the Divine Feminine and the sweetness that can be held within even the most broken of hearts. The owners of the statue have not yet agreed to let the bees stay in their sacred hideaway, but my freind is very persuasive. Although I have been given permission to share this image with you, we do not have permission to divulge its location. Let us trust the bees will be allowed to continue to live undisturbed in this most unusual and magical of hives!

Beeless no more. . .

2009-06-26T10:36:00.000-07:00

M'bees are here!!! I can hardly believe it! They were delivered by Bob on Monday 15th June , between thunder storms. It was perfect weather as the bees were very much hunkered down in their little nuc' box on Bobs allotment. Bees hate rain, they find it very difficult to keep warm when they are wet so you can be pretty sure that they will be "at home" when there is a downpour. We were able to install them in our lovely blue hive around tea time, and they settled in really well. By Tuesday we were able to enjoy the experience of relaxing in our garden as the sun went down over the back of the house, a nice glass of chilled wine in our hands, and watch our own bees returning home from a busy days foraging. Bliss! Each little bee flew over the face of the setting sun as it returned and for a moment was illuminated and brilliant before enetering the hive. If you squint hard you can just about see some bees on the alighting board going in through their little doorway. You will notice a white star on a dark blue tile on the front of the broodbox. . .this came from the Alhambra Palace in Grenada and serves no purpose other than to let the bees know that this is their "palace" and hopefully a place they wish to return to. The metal stand was made especially to Martins specifications from stainless steel and is supposed to be mouse proof. It certainly looks the business eh? So far the cats and dogs have been really respectful of the bees and vice versa. They are curious but not sufficently intrusive to incur the wrath of the bees, so no one has been stung. These bees seem remarkably nice natured and calm. I am glad we didn't get impatient and decide to buy "random" bees without knowing their provenance. Bob rears good bees. We are hoping for some honey by September and felt confident enough of our bees vigour to give them a super to start a bit of honey production off. An early feed of sugar water seemed to settle them in quickly and get those little wax glands going into honey comb production. That will be a real moment to celebrate. . . our first jars of honey. Yummy! I now have to hang up my "beeless beekeeper" badge which feels a bit sad, but maybe someone else can pick it up and wear it in my stead.

Bees Please

2009-06-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

We are ready for our first bees to arrive! Bob has promised us a small nuc' of maybe 10,000 bees by the end of today. The weather is pretty much perfect for the handover, dull, rainy, a bit cooler, this means the chances of them all being "at home" when he goes to pick up the hive are good. We don't want half our bees left out in the fields still foraging. The hive is looking good, it is south facing so they can make the most of what sun we get, they will know which way the front door is because I have painted them a sign. . and it is all well protected by a tall trellis covered in honeysuckle. We are waiting with great excitement! Oh yes. . . bees please!

Glamorous Gloria of Medi-bee

2009-05-14T05:57:00.000-07:00

I recently had to opportunity to hear the fabulous Gloria Havenhand of Medi-bee Ltd talk about her business and her passion for her honey bees. This was a far from "dry" lecture on beekeeping and delivered the audience with a wholly engaging and inspiring insight into the honey making process and the biology of the honey bee. Gloria is a professional biologist and the glamorous beekeeper of Troway Hall in Derbyshire. Medi-bee honey is more than just a sweet treat for spreading on toast. The unique properties of the honey have been substantiated by scientific research, and are linked to the naturally present medicinal, antiseptic, anti viral and antibacterial properties of tree resin, specifcally firs and spruce which are grown commercially on their land as christmas trees. This legendary product is a gift from nature as the bees simply go about their natural business. This honey is not only delicious, but multi purpose as a health product. It is also suitable for diabetics who are able to eat fruit as it is fructose and glucose, not sucrose! The website www.medibee.co.uk has a comprehensive range of products available and a fascinating background of information about Troway Hall and honey making. Better yet . . pay a visit to the fabulous little shop which is in Derbyshire on the B6056 nr Coal Aston or call 01246 292425. If you are really lucky, you may get to have chat with Gloria herself , . . if she is not out in the apiary attending her bees.

SPRINGWISE NEWSLETTER highlights Pullman Hotels sponsorship of bees

2009-05-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

Sponsored beehives produce hotels' honey
Food & beverage / Eco & sustainability

In honour of Earth Day a few weeks ago, Paris-based Pullman Hotels
& Resorts partnered with Bee My Friend to sponsor a beehive on
behalf of each of its French hotels.

This week's newsletter is now online, featuring another wide range of new business ideas. www.springwise.com .

Beeless Beekeeper on the BBC

2009-05-08T03:38:00.000-07:00

This Beeless Beekeeper was invited to talk about the joys of beekeeping on our local BBC radio Nottingham.

The programme is available via the Listen Again facility on the BBC website but only for 7 DAYS!!!

Check out the link and go to Andy Whittaker on 7th May 2009. Move the slider to about 1cm before the end and I am on just after the news at 08.45 until about 9.00.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_radio_nottingham/

HIVE MENTALITY FILMS

2009-04-29T03:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of the Honeybees,

We have been working very hard during the past two years, traveling around the world and
interviewing beekeepers, scientists and environmental authorities. We are now in the final
stretch of editing and hope to lock picture by mid-July.

A brief update: In March we were invited to present a rough cut of our film for the opening
night of the Environmental Film Festival in the nation's capital where nearly 500 people
showed up. The response was fantastic and a tremendous inspiration for our final push.

Meanwhile, thanks to our UK distribution agent Dogwoof, we will be premiering our film in
London on Oct.9th on the big screen! Stay tuned for information on American screenings.

As it stands we need another $120,000 to finish the film and let it fly! Post production costs
include editing, sound mix, graphics, narration, and music composition to name a few. And we need funds to help spread the word to get the film as widely seen as possible.

Your generosity is appreciated. Please help. Every little bit counts and donations are tax deductible.

You can contribute via the paypal link on our website.

Or send checks to:
Hive Mentality Films
1837 Grace Ave.
Los Angeles, CA. 90028
(323) 640-9710
www.vanishingbees.com

In gratitude,

Maryam Henein and George Langworthy

These are not just random bee people! I was inspired by the work of George and Maryam when I was sent a You Tube clip of Maryam sitting amonst a swarm of bees . . perfectly still and blissfully happy. . . woman and bees in perfect harmony. I was later thrilled to recognise their work when the Co-Operative showed a special film as part of their PLAN BEE campaign. If you can do anything, contribute something, spread the word of their work. . . please do.

Fortnums bees and beecam

2009-04-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

Whoever would have thought that honey bees could survive, never mind thrive in an inner city environment. Well actually, they have the pick of the public parks to forage and London bees are blessed with the rich pickings of Kew Gardens, and the all Royal parks . Fortums has set up some suitably fabulous and upmarket hives on its rooftops and you can visit them on "beecam" on this link. You can even buy a jar of very upmarket honey online!
http://www.fortnumandmason.com/Fortnums-Bees/Home.aspx

Wild bees in the walls

2009-04-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

I got very overexcited a couple of weeks ago, when I discovered some gorgeous little wild bees living in a stone wall just down the road from me.
I was sure they were honey bees as they looked very similar and there were rather a lot of them tumbling out of the crevices onto the pavement.
There were 3 entrances on one short stretch of wall and I was sure that with a little help from Bob the Beekeeper ( who happens to live just opposite the nests) I could entice a colony to come and live with me in my newly built hive. Despite our best efforts of enticement, these little bees were not interested in moving home, but they were sunny natured and patient with us throughout. We realised they could not be honey bees as it was possible to handle them without gloves or hoods, they were cheerful and docile and neither of us got a single sting. They may have looked like honey bees, but they certainly didn't behave like them. An hours or so of futile coaxing later and we decided to leave them alone, just keep a good eye on them and hope they didn't fall victim to public ignorance.
It is unfortunate that the entrances to the nests opened on to a public pavement.
I soughtidentification from the fab people at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and they offered" The office consensus on the mystery bee is that is a small solitary bee of the genus 'Andrena'"
Since I first noticed the bees, I have found other sites in my neighbourhood with the same type of little bees happily going about what ever they are up to.
My dog walks have taken on a new and exciting potential!

WASPS or BEES?

2009-04-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

this is a wasp!

This is a bumblebee

This is a honey bee

Bees and wasps are often mistaken for each other.

How can you tell the difference?
A bumble bee is fat,cute and fluffy looking with a rounded shape and a quite attractive colourful banding, anything from yellow, orange, dark brown, ginger ,black and white.
A honey bee is petite, overall brownish in colour and slightly furry, more elegant looking than the bumblebee and softer than the wasp.
A wasp looks more vivid and defined, sharp yellow/black colouring, with a shiny skin and a pointy body.

Wasps sometimes inadvertently give bees a bad name by their aggressive and often seemingly unprovoked behaviour. Essentially, a wasp is a natural predator, a carnivore, a scavenger and although it has its job to do, clearing up dead and decaying matter and controlling other pests, it goes about things in a very unsociable manner.

Most people who say they have been stung by a bee have in fact been stung by a wasp. A wasp can sting without any repercussions to it self whereas a bee will almost certainly die as its abdomen is ripped out.
Bee keepers do not usually welcome wasps as they can raid the hives and steal the eggs, larvae and honey. Fortunately when push comes to shove the bees will readily protect the hive against raiders and either kill the wasp by force of numbers or drive it out of the hive.
However, they can help the beekeeper by clearing up debris around the hive especially when unwanted drone cells, varroa or dead bees are cleared out. Nature steps in and the wasp is very much part of that process.
Bees begin foraging in the early spring, bumblebees as early as March and honey bees a little later around April( depending on weather conditions) . Wasps will not show up until the summer months, just as we look forward to alfresco dining and a few drinks in the pub garden! Make sure you don't confuse the bee with the wasp. . . they are poles apart in personality and purpose.
Don't antagonise either bees or wasps by swatting or flapping around, they will get angry or defensive and have a pop at you. Try to ignore them as best you can. . . resist the temptation to kill them. Killing is not good. . . for anything.

BUMBLE BEES GET BUSY

2009-04-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

Check out www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk

Now is the time for the bumble bees to be getting out and about and many of my freinds, (pandering no doubt to my enthusiastic penchant for all things bee related), are informing me that they have seen "Queen Bees" in their garden. Sadly, this is probably not the case and what they have actually seen is a big fat bumble bee going about its business. Some of these are HUGE and if they get into the house they make a noise like a small tornado going off. This is just them panicking, desperately trying to get out again, it is not any kind of threat to your safety and wellbeing. DON'T PANIC! Get a clean dry glass or small cup and gently cover the bee then slide a sheet of paper ( an envelope is perfect) so as to contain the beast until you can get it to an open door or window and then simply send it on its way. If you are confident and calm enough you can easily just pick them up gently in a cupped hand and let them go. . . but don't grab or squash them, they won't thank you for that. DO NOT swat, spray or otherwise kill them! Bumblebees are not avid stingers, they will usually die if their sting is deployed and human skin is so tough it literally rips out their abdomen, so they always come off worse for the experience. Apart from the fact bumblebees are really good pollinators, they are also really cute, furry and fat. There are many different types of bumblebee with colours that range from bright yellow to orange and deep chocolatey brown. They are usually quite stripey and often have white fluffy bottoms. The Bumblebee Conservation Society has lots of illustrations and information on identification and good advice as to how to lure them into your garden. If you are fortunate enough to have a bumblebee nest in your garden, do not disturb them, let them get on with things, just enjoy watching them come and go. They are most cute in the evening when they return home from foraging, a little bit giddy and drunk with nectar and loaded down with pollens. They won't make you any honey, thats a job for another kind of bee altogether, but they will provide hours of gentle entertainment. A nest will usually be at ground level or in an old dry wall and have maybe 50 bumblebees living in it. They are not socially dependent on each other like the honey bees, but they like a bit of company. Check out the website www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk and sign up as a member and do what you can to help preserve these welcome heralds of Springtime.The bumble bee conservation trust also support the protection and wellbeing of other insects including the honey bee, ants and wasps, all of which have their part to play in the balance of things.

Ten Amazing Facts About Bees: BBC You tube

2009-03-05T09:01:00.000-08:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7925218.stm

For the past five years there have been reports of increasing numbers of unexplained bee deaths all over the world.

While little is known about the cause - and the BBC has been told that a disease suspected of killing billions of bees does not exist - there are lots of things we do know about them.

Fourth-generation beekeeper James Hamill gives his top ten amazing facts about bees.

PLAN BEE the Co-operative Group bans 8 pesticides

2009-03-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

On 28th January the Co-operative Group became the first UK retailer to prohibit the use of a group of 8 pesticides as part of a radical new ten-point plan designed to help reverse the worrying decline in the British bee population.
: so reported Bee-Craft magazine in the March issue.
The Co-operative Group have also committed £150k into research into the decline and it wants to pay particular attention to farming practices, the impact of pesticedes and the restricted gene pool from which the bees are derived. Simon Press, Senior Technical Manager at the Co-operative Group said " We have been working with suppliers since 2001 to reduce pesticide use and already have a market-leading Pesticide Policy which prohibits the use of 98 pesticides. We believe that recent losses in bee poulations need definitive action and as aresult aretemporarily prohibiting the 8 neonicotinoid pesticides until we have evidence that refutes their involvement in the decline"
You can find out more about the Co-operative and join online at
http://www.co-operative.coop/yourmembership/
Anyone can join for the investment of £1 which will be collected from your first share of the profits. THIS IS THE "SOMETHING " YOU CAN DO . . . SO PLEASE DO IT. . . TODAY!!
( a full report of the original article can be found in the March 2009 issue of Bee-Craft magazine)

PLAN BEE : A really exciting Co-op membership event

2009-01-29T13:56:00.000-08:00

The following e-mail was recently sent to me and I have managed to secure my place on the Nottingham event ( now full I believe) but there are other venues around the country running the same event. If you are interested please call the number below and ask about other venues. If they get loads of genuinely interested calls it will surely indicate the need for such events. check out www.co-operative.coop and search "bees" you will get loads of useful info on bees. Viva la Co-op!!!!xxxxxx

" I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the upcoming Co-operative Membership event.

We are proud to be offering the launch of Plan Bee, our brand new campaign. There will be a screening of an exclusive film discussing the plight of bees. Come and learn more about the fascinating life of bees, the crucial role that bees play and what might be causing their sudden losses. At the same event we will be showing our members the new Co-operative TV advertisement.

If you would like to attend this event please see the below details.

Venue: Broadway Cinema, Broad St, Nottingham - visit www.broadway.org.uk for transport information.
Time:11am - 2pm
Date: Saturday, 7th February 2009
Event includes: Campaign launch, networking periods and refreshments.
Cost: Free
Booking: ESSENTIAL, places are limited. Please call 01908 361 500 or email membership.central&eastern@co-operative.coop. Please have your Co-operative membership number to hand as this will be required in order to complete your booking.

Please feel free to pass this invite onto other Co-operative members who you think may be interested.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards Lisa

DEFRA Announcement - good news for bees!

2009-01-22T03:41:00.000-08:00

£4.3 million bee health funding increase announced

An extra £4.3 million to safeguard and undertake more research into the health of bees was announced by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today in a speech at the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Mr Benn said that nearly £2.3 million over the next two years would support the work of the National Bee Unit in its efforts to help England’s beekeepers deal with the problems facing their bee colonies.
This will include identifying all those who keep bees and providing expert advice to them on tackling pests and diseases and applying good husbandry.

In addition, Defra will put an extra £400,000 towards bee health research every year for the next five years. This extra funding – a total of £2 million – forms part of a comprehensive bee health strategy, which is under development.

Over the last two years Britain’s bee colonies have suffered significant losses due to a combination of potential issues including the weather, the varroa mite, and other factors requiring further investigation by researchers.

Mr Benn said:

“Bees are vulnerable to a number of threats. Pests and diseases, when combined with poor summers can leave colonies unable to survive the winter.
“We must get to grips with this, to see just how serious a problem it is, what the impacts on pollination are, and what we can do in response.”

IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN - BBC2 14th Jan

2009-01-09T02:01:00.000-08:00

Dick Strawbridge ponders why the honey bees are in such a predicament in this very down to earth and practical "ECO - FRIENDLY" TV programme. To be shown on WEDS 14th JAN BBC2 at 8.00pm.
Catch it if you can.

I am one. . .

2008-12-08T10:28:00.000-08:00

" I am one, I cannot do everything. . . but I can do something. . and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do, and what I should do, by the Grace of god, I will do."

Edward Everett Hale 1822 - 1909

What can you do for the bees ????? Find out, and then do it.

The Secret Life of Bees. . .

2008-12-04T09:33:00.000-08:00

I have just finished reading this; having found it by chance on Amazon some while ago, and I now find it has been turned into a major Hollywood film (due out early December 2008)! I loved the book! Ok, it is a bit of a girly, sisters doin' it for themselves kind of set up, but also warmhearted, funny, inspiring and at times a bit shocking. It combines some magical moments of truth with hard realities of life and somewhere in the middle the bees give a kind of reflection of the power of the feminine spirit. It is the kind of book that evokes quite personal images in the heart which you don't really want spoiled by Hollywood poking around with it. However . . having watched the trailers it seems Fox Searchlight have hit on a perfect cast in Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, and Sohie Okendo. The pink house is exactly how I wanted it to be and already I am inspired to pull down my old compost heap in the garden and install a cute cosy "honey shed" to keep my bee stuff in ( and maybe for me to escape into from time to time).If this film in any way opens a warm place in peoples hearts for the honey bee, then it has been a job well done. Sometimes it is the mainstream that creates a positive awareness that no amount of worthy "drum banging" can even hope to do. Enjoy!!!!

Help Rowse Honey Save The Honey Bee

2008-11-16T09:05:00.000-08:00

The fabulous folk at ROWSE honey have pledged up to £100,000 from their honey sales to investigate and hopefully help resolve the current problems and to protect our honey bees for future generations. It always makes my heart sing when those in positions of "trust" take positive action and act responsibly to encourage others to do the same. Whilst I would always be the first to advocate supporting local beekeepers and buying locally produced honey, sometimes that option is simply not available and so it is heartening to know there is an alternative which we can buy with an assurance of quality and integrity. Check out their website www.rowsehoney.co.uk and sign up for their newsletter. Support their efforts.

OSMIA RUFA - The RED MASON BEE

2008-10-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

This little ginger beauty is not a Honey Bee and does not require a hive or any fancy equipment to keep it happy. If you do not have the time, space or inclination to set up a hive in your garden, you can still enjoy the experience of bees by encouraging and facilitaing the little RED MASON BEE ( not to be confused with masonry bees who will drill cheeky little holes in your mortar) . This prolific pollinator will give your fruit and veg a good going over and ensure you have abundant crops with very little effort. It is a freindly, solitary bee, living a modest existence, non aggressive ( barely able to sting) and as cute as anything. You can buy handy kits containing the bee larvae from www.birdfood.co.uk which is a really fabulous site, easy to use and has real, live, delightfully helpful people on the phoneline 01743 708013 if you need some more detailed information. This little book " The Red Mason Bee: all you need to know . . . " by Christopher o Toole is also available on this same site and is a really fascinating and inspiring read. Don't just sit there. . . buy some cute ginger bees and do your bit for the Eco system!

VANISHING BEES FILM LINKS

2008-10-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.vanishingbees.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXircJ_eJ1Y

These clips are truly amazing! Thank you to Sam for sharing them with me. . . . it just goes to show that my newsletters do stir up interest. I have been in touch with George and Maryam who are also currently "beeless beekeepers" as they are travelling around so much with their work. They have read Simon Buxtons book "The Shamanic Way of the Bee" and I thought Maryam looked exactly like my Melissae painting . . . sitting in her cloud of bees, perfectly happy and at one with the world. I will be keeping close tabs on this site and the work of these two inspiring bee enthusiasts.

EDDIE IZZARD - COVERED IN BEES

2008-10-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs-tl6GBOBo

This is fabulously hilarious and I just LOVE Eddie Izzard anyway!

A World without Bees - Alison Benjamin and Brian McCallum

2008-10-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

This little book represents the seminal moment when I knew that my relationship with the bees was going to be a passionate and magical one. I attended the launch of "A World without Bees" at the Guardian Newsrooms in London on 24th June 2008, I had managed to blag my way in despite not having a ticket, and sat mesmerised with interchangeable emotions of abject horror and absolute elation. The authors, Alison and Brian told a gripping and eye opening account of their personal research into Colony Collapse Disorder ( CCD) across Europe and America asking the question: " Is there any possible way of saving the honey bees" . The findings are all the more poignant for the fact that Alison and Brian are also "domestic" beekeepers and have their own hives in their garden in London. Alison is a deputy editor of Society Guardian and writes on environmental issues and social affairs for the newspaper, and her partner Brian is a Geography teacher. They have been keeping bees for about 3 years. To witness first hand the treatment of the bees subjected to the mammoth interstate pollination programmes across the USA had obviously effected them deeply. The book is an intelligent read, and encourages the intelligent reader to make intelligent choices as consumers. I can highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to get a "jump start" overview of the current crisis and a platform from which to make their own decisions on what to do next. The book is now available from all good bookstores and from Amazon. Please do check it out.

Melissae - The Bee Mistress

2008-10-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

MeliSSae represents the Mother Goddess, the Bee Mistress and over millenia she has been linked to many ancient cultures as a symbol of eroticism, femininity, love, death, creation and immortality. She is a raw and powerful energy, not for the faint hearted, and is regarded in her mystique as a Goddess, with her bees as her servants. In reality, the Queen within a hive, is a slave to the colony. Every single act undertaken by her is to the "greater good". Humanity has always enjoyed a symbiotic and close relationship with bees, their honey has providing high quality nutritional food for all, rich and poor alike. The keeping of bees was a marker in time of the evolution of civilisation, supporting humanitys advancement in tool making as wax became available for medicines, cosmetics and woodfinishing. Moulds could be made for metals and facilitated the creation of art and crafted artefacts. For a long time; humanity was in harmony with the nature of things and the bees were an important part of that. Honey was considered sacred, used in ritual and ceremony. It is only now, that the balance of things has tipped and the bees are struggling to survive in a world which has been shaped to the greed and need of Man. MeliSSae and her workers are dying. There are many factors at play; abuse of pesticides, mono-agri cultures, unseasonal weather patterns, poor or irresponsible beekeeping, lack of natural habitat, increased attack by mites, virus, fungi, respiratory problems, deforamation of larvae, the list goes on . . . but ultimately WE are responsible. Continued abuse results in loss. The bees are exhausted, physically, spiritually and energetically. They may have simply lost the will to continue under these circumstances. To read the message of MeliSSae go to my "Thought for the month page" October 2008 www.everydayangelsart.com
Until a clear solution or answer is found to the increasing phenomenon of "Colony Collapse Disorder" where bees simply disappear leaving empty abandoned hives, we must assume that we have a major problem, that the bees will indeed vanish, and we will be left to deal with a world in which we have lost one of our greatest allies and assets.

The start of Autumn for a beeless beekeeper

2008-10-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

It is the start of Autumn and the bees are settling down for the winter. The weather has been terrible, heavy rain and high winds, any bees still foraging will have been caught out. I am practicing patience . . . one thing I have already learned about bees is you can't hurry them. All things to do with bees take time. This winter I will spend with my nose in various bee books, learning all I can. Yesterday, I went to look at some DIY hives, I want to build my own, that way I will know exactly how they have been put together. Most beekeepers anyway have their own ways of doing things, they are a bit "Heath Robinson" with their adaptations and fixer uppers. I expect I will be exactly the same. In the meantime, I will keep my fingers crossed that the Winter is not too harsh and there are bees to be had come the Spring.