www.iva.co.uk

Anyone else on here a beekeeper by any chance?

Not myself but how interesting are you Hyperdrive?

Not a bee keeper, however we have a bumble bee 'nest' hole' or what ever you call it at the bottom of the garden. The bumble bee comes back each year, and has done so for the last 4 years. We allow it/them to go about it's business and when I landscaped the garden this and last year it's place of residence was left well alone.

My husband would love to keep bees but doesnt know how to go about starting.

I used to keep bees with my father in my teens, but when he died and I went to Uni we had to get rid as I was away too long.
However I`m taking it up again - I got in touch with the local club.
Compared to the 70s the hives etc are pretty reasonable now and I hope to get a swarm free (June-Aug). And once you`ve established a colony they pretty much pay for themselves.

All very interesting, it's nice to learn of other posters hobbies. I've not particularly got one as I've been finishing this degree which is hopefully done this week or next and then I'm going to take up photography. I know nothing much apart from point and click but would love to know so much more.

Hi Carole the best thing to do is google your local club.
I had an issue with Mrs H about having a hive in our garden (which is largely borne of ignorance I have to say!!)
Anyway I dicovered the local club here, they have an apiary on one of the council allotments for people to site their hives. Also they have bought some of the more expensive items for members to share like microscopes and centrifugal honey extractors, so you`re not shelling out for the big stuff you dont need all the time.
So it`s a good set up for someone starting out.

My boss is a beekeeper, he has had to feed them sugar water a lot over this winter as it has been so cold and they couldn't get out apart from that they do look after themselves. He has 3 hives and sold over 40lb of honey last year.

I find it very fascinating.

Peejayel it has been a bad year for bees.
Bees do need feeding over the winter if you take all their honey stock in the Autumn[;)]