Category Archives: honeybees

The Flying Squad*

Posted on 21 June 2014 by Philip Strange

An imposing, white-painted beehive stood in the middle of the room. Emblazoned across the front in large black letters was one word – POLICE. The police keep bees?

Posted in agri environment schemes, bee hive, bees, flower rich hay meadows, Flying Squad, Guest posts, higher level stewardship, honeybees, Margaret Couvillon, nature reserves, pollinators, Thomas Thwaites, waggle dance | Comments Off on The Flying Squad*

Those poor beleaguered bees! Now they’re being confused by diesel fumes. Or are they?

Posted on 4 November 2013 by Philip Strange

Bees are having a hard time. Pathogens, insecticides and loss of habitat are all thought to be contributing to a decline in their numbers. Now a potential new threat has been added to the “perfect storm” threatening these insects. A group at … Continue reading →

Posted in bee decline, bee numbers, bees, bumblebees, city bees, diesel fumes, Guest posts, honeybees, oilseed rape, southampton university | Comments Off on Those poor beleaguered bees! Now they’re being confused by diesel fumes. Or are they?

City bees – the ultimate urban idyll or a middle class guilt trip?

Posted on 22 July 2013 by Philip Strange

Beekeeping in a busy city centre? It doesn’t sound right to me, but there’s a growing trend to put beehives on the vacant roofs of city centre shops and museums. I recently had a chance to find out what’s behind … Continue reading →

Posted in bees, city bees, Exeter, farmers' markets, Fortnum and Mason, Guest posts, honeybees, Palais Garnier, Princesshay, Steven Poole | Comments Off on City bees – the ultimate urban idyll or a middle class guilt trip?

The March of the Beekeepers

Posted on 26 April 2013 by Philip Strange

In Parliament Square in London today a diverse group of beekeepers and environmentalists are gathering; some will be wearing beekeeping suits, some will be dressed as bees, some will be carrying fruit or vegetables and you may even spot Winnie-the-Pooh … Continue reading →

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The truth about pesticides and bees?

Posted on 17 December 2012 by Philip Strange

Each week Riverford Organic delivers a vegetable box to our door. Nestling among the mosaic of vegetables is a newsletter from the Riverford boss, Guy Watson.  This summer he has moaned, justifiably, about the state of the weather and the … Continue reading →

Posted in agrochemical, bees, buglife, bumblebees, companies, environmental audit committee, friends of the earth, honeybees, insecticides, insects, neonicotinoids, Science policy, soil association | Comments Off on The truth about pesticides and bees?