Beekeeping Journal: Half-A-Bee

I went through to the Enfield Town Park Autumn Show this last weekend. It offered all the delights of the Country Show that I saw - and fell in love with - at the Hertfordshire Country Show earlier in the summer. And more, because I was able to participate this time. I was so happy to be able to lend a hand and volunteer, albeit briefly, at my Association's stand in the Horticultural Tent.

On Saturday, riven with awful hangovers from the night before, Guy and I wound our way through the Sh

ow, turning from one amazing sight to another - zorb balls holding children bouncing on the surface of the water through the gleaming transparent giant balls; sheep shearing demonstrations, giant bouncing castle jungles, strawberry-and-cream stands, beer bars, horses to stroke, donkey rides, and baby pigs.

Eventually we found The Flower Tent, and inside, among the gigantic zinnia, tomato and cake displays, we found Enfield Beekeepers tucked away in the warmest corner of the tent. It quite gave my heart a pang to see the rows and rows of honey in clear jars, some with prize ribbons on, all with names that I recognise. I took a quick glance at the Novice section, and saw that someone had a Third ribbon; oh how envious I am, and how keen I still am to submit my own honey next year!

Then on to helping to sell honey, and I stood awkwardly by as three of the ladies charmed their way through the honey sales. What was absolutely wonderful, however, was some of the idle chat that was had among the four of us, and other volunteers. I don't mean to sound self-serving, but I was so grateful to glean any bits of knowledge they could offer. And there was lots to be had ...

It appears I should already have treated my bees with Apiguard, regardless of the fact that Varroa mites have not shown up much on my Varroa-Sticky-Backed-Plastic Boards. It appears I should have been feeding my bees already. So much to do! And I haven't been doing any of it.

I rushed home that evening to check on my bees. I was more scared than I have ever been in any other inspection that I've done - why? Because the bees were VERY defensive! Loud humming, lots of buzzing around my head and face, lots and lots of bees everywhere - they really are on guard at the moment. Once again, there was no honey in the super, but they appear to be storing lots of honey in the brood box. Lots of cells appear black and emptied, and they are building up their stores, but I realise now - after chatting to the Beekeepers - not enough yet; never enough.

I've rushed off to buy lots more kilos of sugar, and tonight the bees will have a bumper feast of 2kg sugar to 1 litre of water - a rich mix was advised.

The next day, I spent time showing children how to roll beeswax candles, in between watching a sheep-shearing demo, a falconry display and a brilliant display of medieval chivalry and jousting by The Knights of the Damn ed. It was lovely also to spend time with Fred and the small nuc of bees in an observation frame where we spotted the Queen, who looked gorgeously fluffy. He and I both admitted to "falling in love with our Queens" which raised smiles all round.

The saddest thing I've seen this summer though came in the afternoon, at home in the garden. As I spoke on the phone with my mother in South Africa I spotted a bee on the lawn, clearly in some distress. My mother listened in some bemusement as I got down on my knees on the grass to check on the bee close up. It turned out to be half-a-bee, sting and abdomen gone, but still alive and clearly dying a horribly slow death. There's no harder thing to have to do than to put a living thing that you respect and admire out of its misery.

But there ... it was done, and the better for it.