‘My Apiary’ – Brian and Karen

Karen and I have two apiaries consisting of eight hives and a couple of nucs.
The first is a south facing apiary with early morning sunshine (when available) in an urban setting, close enough to the Chase to sometimes produce heather honey if the weather is in our favour.


At the moment it consists of 6 hives and a couple of nucs, which will be combined later in the year if required. The apiary is now up to full strength after throwing out a drone layer and replacing it with a split from the same colony.

There was a virgin queen in the original hive, but it appears she never made it back after mating during the heavy rains we had early on. Still that’s all part of beekeeping.

The second apiary consisting of 2 hives is situated in HMP Stafford. Having worked in the prison for 26 years and with Karen working INSIDE as well, we were asked by the Governor, if he purchased a couple of hive with all the basic equipment, could we supply the bees and the knowhow to set up a teaching programme for the inmates.

That was over 3 years ago, and the situation has gone from strength to strength.
Its been very popular with inmates and to date we have taught the basics of beekeeping to half a dozen lads along with a long list of others who have shown an interest.

These two hives have been excellent honey producers, and the honey is now being sold to the inmates in 8 oz squeezy plastic bottles (glass not allowed). The proceeds from the sales help towards the upkeep of the hives, for fondant, wax etc.

The programme has been quite promising, and other establishments around the country have shown an interest, and are considering the same in their prisons. The biggest hurdle with setting up an apiary in a prison is security, but having worked at Stafford for such a long time there were ways to get around the rules.


These last 8 or 9 years have been a challenge, and we’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve always managed to keep going. HAPPY BEEKEEPING

‘My Apiary’ – Dave Rawsthorne

Last summer Barry Crossley made the great suggestion that we show each other pictures of our hives and apiaries in the Newsletter and we have featured some members’ apiaries in subsequent editions.

We have had lots of enthusiastic comments from members wanting to see more views of apiaries and the sort of places we keep our bees. So as we all love to see how the other half keep their bees here is another members’ apiary for you to admire.

Thanks to long time club member David Rawsthorne, for sharing his apiary with us.
Dave’s hives are formed into an ark in a beautiful location at the edge of a wooded area.

The hives are part of a research project into bee behaviour and some have had sensors fitted to provide information on temperature and how many times the bees leave and return to the hive when foraging.

All very interesting and we will reveal more about the research and its findings in a future edition of the Newsletter.

Want to share a photograph of your hives or apiary with your fellow beekeepers?
Send your apiary images to agreenman219@gmail.com for inclusion in the next newsletter.

‘My Apiary’ – Steve Gibbins

Last summer Barry Crossley made the great suggestion that we show each
other pictures of our hives and apiaries in the Newsletter. In the July 2020 edition we featured some members’ apiaries.

We have had lots of enthusiastic comments from members wanting to see more views of apiaries and the sort of places we keep our bees.

So as we all love to see how the other half keep their bees here is another members’ apiary for you to admire.

Thanks to new club member, Steve Gibbins, for sharing his apiary with us. Steve says that this was during a time of high water and that it does not normally look like this. He adds that the bees don’t appear to be affected by it. Note the handy storage locker that he stores his spare equipment and tools in.

So come on, why not join in and share a photograph of your hives or apiary with your fellow beekeepers?

Send your apiary images to agreenman219@ gmail.com for inclusion in the next newsletter.

My Apiary – Phil Atkin

Last summer Barry Crossley made the great suggestion that we show pictures of our hives and apiaries in the the Newsletter. In the July 2020 edition we featured members’ apiaries. We have had lots of enthusiastic comments from members
wanting to see more.


As we all love to see how the other half keep their bees here are a couple more members’ apiaries for you to admire. Thanks to Phil for sharing.
So come on, why not join in and share a photograph of your hives or apiary with fellow
beekeepers?

Send your apiary images to agreenman219@gmail.com for inclusion in the next newsletter.

Member Phillip Atkin sent in this image of his bees enjoying a recent mild 10c day which has given his bees the chance of taking cleansing and orientation flights. Bees are also out and about collecting water to take back to the hive for sharing. The bees have to make the most of these warm moments as they get ready for the spring and the start of the new season. Note the handy table and distinctive hive marking
to help the bees find their way back home.

My Apiary – Ed Bennett

Last summer Barry Crossley made the great suggestion that we show pictures of our hives and apiaries in the the Newsletter. In the July 2020 edition we featured members’ apiaries. We have had lots of enthusiastic comments from members
wanting to see more.


As we all love to see how the other half keep their bees here are a couple more members’ apiaries for you to admire. Thanks to Ed for sharing.
So come on, why not join in and share a photograph of your hives or apiary with fellow
beekeepers?

Send your apiary images to agreenman219@gmail.com for inclusion in the next newsletter.

Ed Bennett our club secretary sent in this seasonal image of bees on a beautiful frosty day in February. The bees are no doubt clustered up keeping warm and cosy waiting for sunshine and spring so they can forage for pollen and nectar. The hives face southerly over a large field system somewhere to the west of Stafford. The low sun, hoar frost on the trees and grazing sheep in the distance complete this stunning tranquil winter view.