The MacMillian Coffee Morning is a great opportunity to raise some money for a good cause. In 2014 New Hall School held their own. I offered up an afternoon at the bees ‘experience’ in order to add an extra incentive to raise a bit more money in the raffle. Two winners – Adam and Karen – were chosen at random and we set a date for the end of September. Its late in the beekeeping year at that point as the bees are preparing for winter and most of the honey will have been removed leaving them some honey, along with a bit of space to fill with late flowering plant nectar from plants such as Ivy. Its probably one of the best times to take people on their first visit to a hive as the bees are still busy but with not quite such a manic rush as they can get in Spring and Summer.

It was a bit of a grizzly day in the end but after constant checking of the weather radar, we aimed to be at the hives between a break in the rain. We managed to get through most of the colony, where we saw some honey stored along with the queen, some eggs, larvae and of course worker honeybees. The winners were allowed to taste a sample of honey straight from the comb where it is still warm from being in a working hive. It doesnt get any fresher, and brings back all the smells and flavours of the summer. 

Opening up the hive

Taking out the first frame

Inspecting a super frame complete with capped honey and bees

A great afternoon was had by all although the weather was not the best. All the photos were taken courtesy of Adam Hills.