Tower and Town, August 2019

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Keeping Bees

What made you want to keep bees?

I grew up on a farm and would often go to small local shows. There was always a bee tent. I loved the smell of the wax and the honey and seeing all you could do with bees. They are fascinating.

How long have you kept bees?

For 14 years. I have 4 hives in my garden. I can walk down at any time of the day and see what my bees are doing, watch them and see what they need.

What are the pleasures of beekeeping?

There’s the produce of the hives – honey and wax. Once you understand how the hive works, which takes some years, it’s very relaxing. You have to be calm and gentle with the bees. It’s also very sociable. I belong to Newbury Beekeepers Association. We have monthly bee meetings where we have bee teas and eat cake. I have learnt a lot from them.

Are there any problems?

Most hives have the varroa mite. We have to manage it by using a series of chemical treatments in the autumn after we’ve removed the honey. The mites drop off the bees through the mesh floor. I get stung every now and again. I have built up a resistance and it feels like the sting of a stinging nettle. I don’t like being stung in my face and I have learnt to wear a bee suit.

What is the honey like?

As I live near the forest, water-meadows, farms and gardens my bees have access to a range of plants. Rape greatly influences the honey; it can set solid in a week so you have to make sure you get it out of the frame in time. Some people think it smells cabbage-y but I like it. Tree honey (lime, horse chestnut, sweet chestnut) is darker. Summer honey tastes more floral.

Do they have favourite flowers?

Bees prefer single flowers. They love snowdrops, aconites and hellebores early in the season. Ivy is a good last source of nectar in the autumn but the honey isn’t good!

Louise Cookson