Kelmscott's 25,000 New Residents

Early December 2009 saw the arrival of 25,000 honey bees at Kelmscott Manor when two hives were placed at the north end of the meadow at the rear of the house.

It is over three years since we first considered re-introducing bees to the site. Patience in our search paid off when (thanks to Kelmscott Manor Shop Manager, Norma Coleman-Smith) we were put in touch with Steve Sharpe (pictured), an enthusiastic Oxfordshire bee-keeper who was willing to extend his hives to our site _and_ support us in the essentials of bee husbandry! Since then the hives have undergone their Christmas inspection, with evidence that the colonies are expanding healthily - so it is likely that we will have an additional hive or two before too long. Kelmscott Manor honey... and bees-wax polish... and candles... may not be so far off!