Beekeeping

We have a growing number of working beehives. During the summer, as well as pollinating the garden, these produce honey for sale under our own label and provide us with the challenge and fascination of handling colonies of these intriguing insects. A number of our gardeners are regularly involved with managing our bees.

In 2003 we increased our hives from two to five by both catching and hiving a swarm and by purchasing additional swarms from a local commercial beekeeper.

We have recently added a further six hives, giving us eleven in total and have purchased additional associated equipment that will allow us to extend our activities to candle-making.

All our hives have been treated with verroacide.

We collected about 500lbs of honey in 2004. Our honey has been entered in local produce shows and in 2002 we won the novice award at the Oxfordshire Beekeepers Honey Show.

We have been pleased to host a visit by the Oxfordshire Beekeepers Association.