This guy uses Nationals 'Warre style'.
https://youtu.be/yQb-kTWAqVA
Chris
On Thu, 26 May 2022, 15:27 Jane denby, <dmarc-noreply-outsider@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Dear Liz
What a lovely offer! I am sorry for the length of time in replying but we
were hoping to catch Martin. He is out but after a quick discussion with
Paul on how to convert nationals to a more natural beekeeping way, we would
be delighted to accept them. As long as you are sure you can’t see yourself
using them in the future!
Cheers Jane
On 25 May 2022, at 19:48, Jane and Patrick Denby <janedenby@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
------------------------------
*From:* oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <oxnatbees-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>On
Behalf OfBarbara Elizabeth Robinson <liz20swan@xxxxxxxxx>
*Sent:* 25 May 2022 19:48:29 (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
*To:* oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <oxnatbees@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:* [oxnatbees] Re: Part 2 of the Dee Bee swarm saga!
Dear Jane
We attended your lovely tea/bee party on Saturday and therefore familiar
with events!
I have quite a few ancient national brood and super boxes plus a roof and
can donate a brand new floor from Thornes which just needs putting together.
The boxes and roof were rescued from last year's 5 Nov bonfire. Very old
Very
much smelling of honey/propolis but reasonably sound and sturdy. No bars
or frames tho - I use Warres.
If you think these will do I can bring them over.
Best wishes,
Liz Robinson
On Wed, May 25, 2022, 19:27 Jane denby <
dmarc-noreply-outsider@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On Saturday at the Dee Bee tea we had a lovely swarm go into our
neighbours garden. After many attempts we very sensibly decided that the
swarm was not possible to reach. My neighbour Martin was away when we had a
go, but I showed him the swarm on the Sunday. He was very keen to put up
some tower scaffolding but we persuaded him that it really was not worth it
and also tricky to get at it. We both have been watching them in the hope
that we would see them fly off to an easier place. Last night I noticed a
very tall ladder leaning against the very slender tree with the swarm in it
but decided to ignore it. I really did not want Martin ( 75 years old)
going up it!
This morning the doorbell rang very early and to my absolute surprise and
joy was Martin plus the swarm! He had been going up and down the ladder
since dawn, cutting off a side branch one at a time and then letting them
settle. How he managed to carry down the branch from a very high ladder all
by himself…he had used a butterfly net as a bee veil. It was a wonderful
sight to see!
I did a bit more trimming and shook them into a skep, the bees were
delighted to have a dark cosy place, and I have never seen such a quick
gathering in. After advice from Paul I decided to put them in the queenless
TBH straightaway. I used a leaderboard as a divider and they have separate
entrances on different sides of the TBH. No mad frenzy or fighting and so
hopefully it works and they are not too exhausted.
Martin is a gentle soul and would love a hive to watch over. He has
recently lost his beloved cat William, who was his only companion. If
anyone has an old hive they don’t want, any shape, sort or condition we
would love to take it on as a project with him. He is extremely practical
so could make do and mend! His garden is a wild oasis and I think he has
shown that he loves bees and is even maybe a bee whisperer!
Cheers Jane