Setting up the Beehives

We consider the honey bees to be a vital part of our garden. John, Chaundler, our beekeeper, has set up three hives below the orchard in the south of the garden. Prior to this John provided a training course in beekeeping for volunteers and he now maintains the hives as both a teaching resource and to provide honey. 

A traditional bee skep or alviary, made from willow and coated in cloam, has been placed in a shelter on the South-facing wall of the garden above the vegetable beds. A swarm was  successfully introduced in July 2019. This colony will not be used for honey production, and the bees will be left to forage in the garden. So far, they seem to find the situation to their liking.