Project updates

First season complete

First harvest, new skills and winter preparation

Our first season has moved the project from setup into a functioning community apiary. More than ten people have now been introduced to the basics of beekeeping and six regular beekeepers are tending three hives together.

Before processing the first crop, members completed food health and safety training. The harvest produced more than 100 jars of honey, which were gifted to allotment members or sold to raise money for the allotment society.

The bees have now been prepared for overwintering. We are excited to continue learning next year and to involve more people who have become interested in the hives and these special pollinators.

The Plotcast – our first honey harvest

We documented the first harvest for The Plotcast, including the process of taking frames through uncapping, extraction, settling and finally into jars.

Processing our first honey

The harvest was uncapped, extracted and handled using food-safe equipment. Frames were loaded into the manual extractor before the honey was collected into food-safe settling buckets for jarring.

Season 2, Episode 2 – Two queens and a hive split

During a follow-up inspection, two queens were found in one hive. One was a newly emerged queen and another was discovered inside a capped queen cell. The second queen was moved into a new hive with brood and stores, helping establish another colony.

Season 2, Episode 1 – Bringing bees onto the allotment

The first proper step in bringing bees onto the allotment, with help and guidance from experienced beekeepers.

Bees on site and early inspections

Funding secured

We were awarded £6,375 from The National Lottery Community Fund. The funding supports the setup of hives, beekeeping training, protective clothing, honey extraction equipment and basic safety improvements for the apiary area.