Author Archives: brianandfaith

Bees in trees

Posted on May 29, 2017

We were inspired by our visit to Pertwood farm and their support of a traditional honey bee lifestyle. (see here). After reading Jonathan Powell’s guide to tree bee keeping (get here) we thought that Oxfordshire could also host some of this practice. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Bees nest in a tree (not quite)

Posted on January 12, 2017

The picture shows an apple tree in the garden next door. Faith spotted the comb after the leaves came down in Autumn 2016. In between seeing it and taking this photo something has been munching the edges somewhat; it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology, Garden plants, Honey bee research, Local lore, Swarms | Leave a comment

Warre hive modification

Posted on October 19, 2016

Following on from the July visit to Gareth’s apiary, has anyone modified their hives? There are 3 stages: add some legs move the entrance up above the lower box add some extra insulation

Posted in Apiary visits, Meetings, Members, Warré, Workshops | 4 Comments

Pertwood farm visit, 13th August 2016

Posted on August 20, 2016

Eight of the ONBG headed to Wiltshire to visit the first tree hive to be setup in the UK. This is at Pertwood farm, a source of excellent muesli. Lower Pertwood Farm is a 2,100 acre farm that has been organic for … Continue reading →

Posted in Apiary visits, Books, Hives, ONBG, pollen, Publications, Skeps | Tagged , | 3 Comments

ONBG meeting, 25th August 2015

Posted on September 2, 2015

10 people came to Brian & Faith’s place in Summertown Main topics covered: Autumn prep, feeding, honey, wax, wasps and badgers Desensitisation courses and stings. 2 or 3 of those present are on, or have completed a desensitisation course; results … Continue reading →

Posted in Meetings, Stings, Warré, Wax | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Bees adapting to spaces

Posted on July 27, 2015

Problem – our new swarm had lost its queen Solution – Peter  gave us a thriving swarm of his Botley bees Problem – they came in a single box approximately Warré width and length but 250 mm deep. My boxes are … Continue reading →

Posted in Hives, Warré | Tagged | 2 Comments