We have had a number of hardworking afternoons at the site, a pond was excavated, trees felled, boundaries marked and so forth. It is all happening, albeit slowly as we have had our hands full lately with preparing our first longer beekeeping course. The Plaw Hatch farmers have been immensely helpful to us arranging for the last stages of rotovating and levelling. We have placed a few beehives – and have sent out a general message to the world of bees that there are some very nice, previously occupied Demeter Hives awaiting. Maybe a passing swarm or two will find them and be the first to establish in the bee sanctuary …. come on, bees, send out your scouts and find these hives! Since the much appreciated groundwork performed by a selected group of Plaw Hatch pigs (see below) our plans have moved forward apace – though you would not see much evidence on the ground if you went there. However, things are happening! Recently, the wonderful Emma Wigley, who became interested in biodynamic farming whilst living in the area for a short while, came round to deploy her landscape architect skills – out of her interest and love of bees. She measured the plot and will draw up a plan of what we have dreamed up so far. For example, we want to provide our future bees with easy access to water, so there are plans for a small water feature and pond …. and we hope to have an observation post and benches from which our students and visitors may watch the fascinating comings and goings of the bees, beautiful nectar-rich plants for all seasons, wild roses over the fence and so much more. Thanks to the help we received from another friend in Lewes, an enthusiastic bee-supporter, a bid for funding towards the costs of the bee sanctuary from the Lottery Fund, which she launched on our behalf, was successful! We are absolutely delighted and look forward now to a few weeks of dry weather so that work with an excavator can commence. – we will keep you posted on our progress. Stanley intimated that, although the work was arduous, they were all enjoying it, and that he hoped their efforts would put them in a favourable light with the bees. ooOoo Since this first report our working volunteers are down to two. Congratulations to Stripey (pictured right) who has produced a wonderful litter of piglets, and is now enjoying some well deserved maternity leave. The incessant rain has left the site an alarming sea of mud, but we are not losing hope. Come the spring ……………….
We are delighted to report that work has already commenced on the bee garden at Plaw Hatch Farm. Stanley (pictured left) and two close friends are hard at work rooting around in the earth as a preliminary clearing measure.
Bee Sanctuary
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