Farming Today's bees
28 May 2009

As Jill busies herself with hiving a swarm this week, we talked to both new and experienced beekeepers to find out what the buzz is really about.



The writing and production team of The Archers always relies on a number of resources when researching a new storyline but, when it comes to bees, our first port of call happens to be on our very own doorstep. Veteran Archers writer Simon Frith has been keeping bees for ten years - inspired by his wife Mairi, who has been taking care of her own hives for the past 20 years. "Everything I know, I learned from my wife", Simon cheerfully admits. "Every time things went wrong with Mairi's hives, I was sent out to help - climbing up ladders to catch swarms and so on, so I sort of got involved that way".

It seems that Simon isn't the only one to catch the bug where bees are concerned. Carolyn Mann, Secretary of the Warwickshire Area of the British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA), says that beginners' courses for beekeeping are in high demand and are often over-subscribed partly, she thinks, because of a heightened awareness amongst the public for the plight of the honeybee. Radio 4's Farming Today has recently launched its own beekeeping project, with two of the programme's producers obtaining a hive and a colony (with a little help from the BBKA) at the National Agricultural Centre in Warwickshire. Farming Today's Chris Impey explained that the decision to acquire the hive and follow its progress was based on the huge reaction that the programme had from listeners when they reported on the problems facing beekeepers: "Alongside stories about hunting, and badgers and TB, it was the issue that got the biggest reaction - and it seemed like a really exciting way to keep following the story". After six weeks of evening classes, and under the guidance of expert Clive Joyce (or "Uncle Clive" as Chris has come to refer to him), Chris and Senior Producer Fran Barnes were ready to help 10,000 bees set up home in their new hive - a number that Chris hopes will have increased to 50,000 by the summer. The project seems to be paying off: listeners are enjoying following its progress, with many offering names for the colony's queen - Auntie being the final, highly appropriate, choice.

Carolyn's route into beekeeping was slightly different. Her interest was more environmental: she had just completed a degree in Environmental Studies (she is currently working on an MSc in Environmental Decision Making), and she also wanted to help her allotment along by increasing pollination. It was a challenge to convince the committee on her allotment that the bees would not present a problem to others, but once she had jumped that particular hurdle, getting herself on a beginners' course (and setting herself up with her own hive, equipment and colony) was relatively straightforward. "DIY skills are helpful when setting up your own hive", she says, "But you can set yourself up with a hive, a bee suit, a hive tool and a smoker for around £250. If you join a local association and put yourself down for a swarm, you can often get one for just a small contribution [i.e. just to cover the costs of collecting and delivering the bees], or you can pay for a nucleus of bees for around £75-90, and build up your colony from there".



But beekeeping isn't all sweetness and light. Beekeepers have to be vigilant if they're to keep their colonies in good health and there can even be risks to their own safety (Mairi Frith carries adrenaline with her, as repeated stinging has made her allergic to bee stings). The Farming Today hive will be back to square one if the bees swarm and the numbers deplete, and Chris and Fran's goal of achieving a crop of honey by the end of the year-long project will be under threat. Listeners have also heard Jill Archer face problems with varroa and damaged hives. So, aside from a healthy supply of honey, what's in it for the beekeeper? "I find bees a really restful thing to work with," says Simon, "I really enjoy the rhythm of it - and I love the smell of the propolis, which is so distinctive and sweet". Carolyn agrees, "Beekeeping is all about getting close to nature. It's seasonal - a bit like gardening, so you can't rush it. It forces you to slow down, especially when you're handling them and it can be exciting when you create extra stock from what is essentially wildlife." And, with good husbandry, there is real cause for optimism. Chris says (rather tentatively) that the Farming Today project is "going disconcertingly well"; and he's even developed real feelings of affection towards his 10,000 new friends. "I feel a bit paternal towards them," he admits. "I get quite anxious when I see other people handling my bees."

The BBKA and the media have done a great job in recent years of increasing the profile of bees, but there's still a lot that the public can do to help the little winged workers thrive. Carolyn says that there is still a lot of confusion between wasps, honeybees and bumblebees, so more education is needed to allow people to easily spot the difference. People can encourage bees into their own gardens, by growing plants that flower early and plants that flower late (thus extending the season), encouraging clover, and not cutting their grass too short. Carolyn also recommends leaving small patches of garden a little untidy, so as to encourage as much wildlife as possible.

Jill Archer has been keeping bees for many years now, and despite the occasional hiccup, Simon is keen that she maintains the hobby for the foreseeable future. Still, no one knows what lies around the corner for anyone in Ambridge - so listeners will simply have to wait and see if this particular part of life at Brookfield remains a hive of activity in the years to come.

British Beekeepers' Association Farming Today website Farming Today bees on the Radio 4 blog

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