Henrietta Goes South : 37 BEES AT THE EDIBLE GARDEN SHOW
The giant beehive with Henrietta, the giant bee, flying outside
inspiration, innovation and information’ needed by anyone who wishes to grow and harvest their own food. The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) was invited to take part and the beekeepers involved put on a vibrant and interesting display at Alexandra Palace, London.
T Schoolchildren Galore
On Friday, many of the visitors were schoolchildren, all wanting to roll candles, view microscopes, have a go at skep-making and, best of all, whizz round the handle on the honey extractor – and like buses, they all arrived at once. Their enthusiasm was only dampened by their teachers’ need to get them round the whole pavilion at lightning speed. They were all so keen, well-informed and interested in the exhibits we were demonstrating.
Many schoolchildren visited the stand on the first day Weekend Visitors
Crowds of visitors learn about bees
May 2015 Vol 97 No 5
Over the Saturday and Sunday the audience was very different, comprising individuals and families, including some who wanted to keep bees but were unaware of how to start. Sometimes it was quite entertaining: ’Where can I buy a queen honey bee as I’ve heard that she is the egg-layer, so I only need to buy her, put her in a hive and get her to lay all the other eggs’. After a few minutes’ discussion we were able to set this person on a more realistic course. The show itself was quite compact and perhaps the best garden overall was the BBKA’s ‘Urban Garden’ which was
awash with colour and earned many compliments. Numerous gardeners were happy to take away the booklet highlighting the plants that they should grow in their gardens to help the bees. Over the weekend, more time could be spent with the children and several of the smaller visitors enjoyed trying on the beesuit and experiencing life as a bee in the giant beehive with
The urban garden was very colourful
he Edible Garden Show sets out ‘to provide all the
Henrietta Goes South
The Stoneleigh Shows Committee
Henrietta (the enormous bee) flying out in front. It was good to see the nine- to ten-year-olds showing considerable interest and competence in observing bee parts and pollen under the microscopes.
Thanks
It was a busy, productive weekend, with many more people now knowing about the role of bees as pollinators and how bees make honey. This was the first time that the Stoneleigh Shows Committee team had taken a display ‘down south’ and we are all really grateful for the friendship, support and enthusiasm of the volunteers from London, Barnet and Enfield associations who joined forces with the Midland branches to provide information and demonstrations throughout the three days of the show. It was great to have beekeepers from so many places working together to promote our craft and the well-being of the honey bee. ♠
www.bee-craft.com
Andrew Caine
Claire Waring
Douglas Nethercleft
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