Warm blackberry and apple pie and sumptuous, sticky honey – what better way to toast the arrival of autumn
Sweet talking
The British honey bee's distinct black and yellow stripes are a stand-out feature of many a garden or hedgerow. But, with the loss and disturbance of their natural habitats and the threat from the Varroa mite, their numbers are in decline. Fortunately, a network of hooded heroes is doing its bit to care for the honey bee population. National Honey Week (Oct 23-29) is a celebration of beekeepers’ work, and a recognition of the vital role honey bees play in the environment and food chain (one third of what we eat would be unavailable without them). It also marks the culmination of the honey harvest as beekeepers get busy filling jars with leftover golden liquid.
“Honey fresh from the hive, is a simple pleasure”
Lorraine Hobbs and her husband Stuart have been keeping bees in Horley for almost 10 years. She says: “It was a neighbour who introduced my husband and I to the joys of beekeeping, teaching us the basics via his own hives. It never ceases to amaze me how each bee has a role within the colony, and the clever ways in which they all manage to communicate. Bees are highly intelligent. When our neighbour passed away, the family asked if Stuart and I would like to keep his hives. We said, 'Yes', and have been beekeeping ever since.
“The honey harvest is always looked forward to. We have an outbuilding with a kitchen, which gets transformed for the weekend. Bees and wasps are naturally attracted to honey so we have to block up any gaps in the doors and windows – even the key holes – to prevent them getting in. Then we get to work: first, uncapping the comb frame by slicing off the top layer of wax; then placing these frames in a spinning machine to empty out the honey, which we filter before pouring into jars. We return each frame to the hive for the bees to lick clean.
Extracting honey is a lovely family affair. Our three children all take turns at uncapping the comb then turning the spinning machine handle. It’s hard work but it’s always worth it – spreading a layer of cappings or fresh-from-the-hive honey on toast is a pure and simple pleasure.”
- National Honey Week runs from October 23-29. For more information, visit: bbka.org.uk
Now it's your turn...
Ivor McCullagh
No space to keep bees? No worries. Adopt a Beehive is a British Beekeepers Association scheme to support honey bees through research and education. You’ll receive updates from your local adopted beekeeper and a goody bag – including a jar of honey, packet of wildflower seed mix and a Burt’s Bees lip balm. We’re giving one lucky reader the opportunity to win an Adopt a Beehive kit worth £36. For your chance to win, email editsd@sheengate.co.uk.
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