Sponsored by
Beekeeping: Help available if you want to experience the buzz
Although these are worrying times for Peterborough beekeepers, Richard Davies and George Newton are still enthusiastic about their hobby, and would love more people to take it up.
Although these are worrying times for Peterborough beekeepers, Richard Davies and George Newton are still enthusiastic about their hobby, and would love more people to take it up.Richard said: "They're fascinating animals. It's fascinating to be able to see a group of individuals and they're all working for the common good.
"I don't know whether they bicker among each other or not. They all seem to have a job and get on with it without all the bureaucracy that we get."
He said that although you do have to look after them, it isn't a hobby which will drain valuable free time.
Main feature:
Beekeepers face up to threat that could affect every one of us
Hannah Gray met two beekeepers from the Peterborough area to find out just how bad things are for one of the most important insects in our skies.
Factfile: Bees.
------------
"It's like all livestock, when they've got a problem, you've got to look after them. I wouldn't say I spend more than an hour a week looking after my few. That might mean spending four hours in one week and none the rest of the month. It's not a time-consuming hobby," he said.
To get started as a beekeeper you will need boxes for hives, a veil and suit to protect yourself and a smoker to use to frighten them away when you are working on the hive.
Altogether this could cost between 100 and 500, depending on what type of equipment you buy.
It is not a hobby you should start without a bit of research or training, and to that end, Peterborough and District Beekeepers' Association (PBA) is on hand to help out. It runs courses twice a year to introduce people to the hobby and it will also fix you up with a bee buddy to guide you.
If you don't fancy yourself as a keeper, you can do your bit by making your garden bee friendly.
Plant a wide variety of flowers to entice and feed them – buddleia, crocus, snow drops, ivy, cherry trees and apple trees are among honeybees' favourites.
And don't feel intimidated if you live in an urban area, as some believe these may be better for bees. Large areas of countryside which only grow one type of crop will only be of use to the bees for a short period of time, whereas an urban or suburban garden with a variety of plants will keep them going for weeks or months.
PBA also gives talks to local groups or schools interested in bees or beekeeping.
To find out more about Peterborough Beekeepers' Association, visit www.beesinpeterborough.org.uk, or call 01733 243349. The next beekeeping course starts on Saturday, 7 March.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.