Buzzing with Greatness
23 June 2025 - All
At Wycombe Abbey, we are proud to offer over 40 clubs and societies, giving every pupil the opportunity to pursue her passions and explore new interests. One of our most beloved societies is Bee Society, where pupils learn to care for the hives, tend to the bees and produce delicious honey. Read on for Mr Graham’s mythological take on the sweet origins of honey.
Zeus was engaged to Hera, the power couple of Mount Olympus, and in celebration, invited all of Greece to the greatest banquet the world had ever known. Every human, nymph, God and animal was challenged to bring the finest dish they could; the reward, any wish from Zeus himself.
Melissa was a frustrated and industrious young creature who had been hampered several times in her quest to produce the finest tasting liquid in the land. After weeks of hard work with a parsimonious morsal of such a liquid to show, a sticky-fingered rat or stoat would snaffle and consume her work in seconds, but this time would be different… In the months leading up to the big day, Melissa fastidiously accrued a small vial of her product from the rarest and most flavoursome flora around.
The day had come and she added her Magnum Opus to the vast array of dishes on display, including a Wagyu steak, a chocolate Guiness cake and a great big bowl of strawberry ice cream. After several Gordon Ramsay-esque reviews from Zeus, it was Melissa’s turn (she was buzzing). Zeus delicately poured a drop from the vial onto the end of one of his colossal fingers and sipped it… his pupils immediately dilated and a broad smile spread across his face. He turned to Hera and exclaimed for all to hear ‘Honey, have you tried this!’.
Melissa won the contest and wished for a mortal weapon to protect her precious product. Zeus, who was well known for his duplicitous promises, was angered by the request for such a powerful weapon. In response, he gave Melissa a sting that caused some damage to the potential thief and would cause death to Melissa instead.
Ever since this fateful day, the keeping of bees and production of honey has been an important part of human and plant life. At Wycombe Abbey, we have continued this tradition at Bee Society. The bees live happily in a field by Junior House, producing delicious honey from the local flowers and trees, which will be available to buy in the Autumn Term.
The Bee Society, headed by Fiona (LVI), build frames, collect honey, maintain hives and promote the positive environmental impact the bees have on the wonderful grounds at Wycombe Abbey.
We look forward to you trying the fruits of their labour next year!
Mr James Graham
Teacher i/c of Bee Society
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