The Buzz About Beekeeping at Wycombe Abbey
4 December 2024 - All
The Beekeeping Society at Wycombe Abbey is a much-loved club that welcomes new members each year. With the added advantage of having our own hives on-site, pupils have the unique opportunity to learn about the inner workings of a bee colony and the honey-making process. Below, Fiona (LVI) shares her journey to becoming a passionate beekeeper.
How long have you been beekeeping for?
I’ve been beekeeping since UIII, which makes this my sixth year. The Wycombe Abbey Beekeeping Society has a history spanning over ten years!
What is your favourite part of beekeeping?
I love seeing the younger girls join the Beekeeping Society; they’re always buzzing with excitement! It’s such a rewarding way to connect with nature and give back to our planet. Harvesting the honey is always a highlight. When we return to School after the summer, we open the hives to retrieve the honey. It’s mesmerising to see the honeycomb cells perfectly golden, hexagonal, and brimming with honey. There’s nothing more satisfying than tasting that fresh, natural sweetness. It’s so delicious.
Another of my favourite parts is observing the bees up close. It’s fascinating to get a glimpse into their secret lives and watch their incredible journey from larvae to adult bees. Seeing the roles they play within the hive is truly inspiring. We’re incredibly lucky to have such beautiful grounds to keep the beehives at School and I’m so grateful for Mrs Buxton and Mr Graham, who help us care for the hives so well.
What skills are required to be successful at beekeeping?
Good planning is essential when beekeeping. You need to ensure that all your equipment is ready before opening the hive and check the weather beforehand. Bees are less cooperative in cold or windy conditions, which can make them agitated. Patience is also crucial; you must remain calm around the bees. If you become anxious, the bees may sense it and become more likely to sting.
Attention to detail is vital to spot any signs of disease early, preventing it from spreading. Empathy also plays a key role; understanding that a bee’s behaviour can change based on it’s mood helps you handle them more effectively. Working with agitated bees can be challenging, so it’s important to be gentle to avoid harming them when inspecting the hive.
Bravery is another important trait. If the bees swarm, you need to stay composed and know how to safely relocate them. Finally, a genuine love of learning is imperative. Every beekeeper has their own methods, and if you ask three beekeepers the same question, you’ll probably get three different answers. Being open to learning from different opinions is key to maintaining a happy, healthy hive.
Do you have any surprising bee-related facts?
· Bees have five eyes. They have three simple eyes and two compound eyes.
· In the UK, there is only one species of honeybee, around 25 species of bumblebee, and over 250 species of solitary bees.
· Beekeeping goes back over 4,500 years.
· Honeybees have constructed a beehive in space, with zero gravity!
How do you look after the beehives in the colder months?
We secure the hives to withstand harsh wind and rain, ensuring they remain warm and cosy for the bees. Regular health checks help us monitor their wellbeing. While we usually use queen excluders to keep the queen within certain sections of the hive, we remove them in winter so she can move freely and stay warm with the rest of the colony. During colder months, we limit hive inspections to once every two weeks to avoid unnecessary disruption. If food supplies run low, we supplement it with sugar syrup or fondant. Beyond that, it’s up to the bees to endure the winter.
How do you harvest the honey?
After collecting the honey-laden frames from the hives, we carefully remove the wax cappings using specialist tools. The frames are then placed in an extractor, which spins out the honey. Once extracted, the honey is filtered to remove any residual wax and debris. Finally, we jar the honey and sell it at our annual Bonfire Night event, ready to be enjoyed.
Do you have any favourite honey-based recipes?
I love warm honey and ginger tea; it’s a traditional remedy for a cold and sore throat. I love the fact that honey is very versatile, it can be made into lip balms, candles, hand creams etc.
How do you fit beekeeping into your busy schedule?
I love beekeeping, both in School and during the holidays. I find it very relaxing, so although my schedule is really busy, I always try and find time for it. I usually spend an afternoon during the weekend at the beehives. Spending time in nature in general helps me to unwind.
What advice would you share with someone who wanted to start beekeeping?
If you love bees, just go for it! Beekeeping is often a life-long passion. It’s always a good idea to join a beginner’s course, there are lots of local beekeeping associations. The beekeeping community is very welcoming and always willing to help newcomers. You should also consider where you can fit beekeeping into your schedule, as although it is a very fulfilling hobby, it can be very time-consuming.
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