Bees are everywhere....

In the Oxfam bookshop last week I also saw a copy of this lovely Ladybird book about bees. Now, I have a huge collection of Ladybirds but they're tucked away under the stairs in many, many boxes so, although I know I already have this book, I bought it for my beekeeping mad husband. It has those 'tell tale' Ladybird illustrations and really is a fascinating read whether you're into bees or not.

In fact , there are lots of people 'into bees' at the moment. You cannot escape news of the plight of the bee. Newspapers and magazines abound with stories and it was even on the national news last week when people were encouraged to put up hives in urban areas. Even the RSPB are now calling for us to put out a sugar solution to feed the bees who are unable to find any nectar via plants. As the owner of a nectar rich but rain soaked and damaged garden I know where they are coming from.

Although we have our hive we do not have any bees as yet. My husband goes to the local beekeepers' association apiary every week and does his bit and he is patiently waiting for some locally bred Pembrokeshire bees. They are trying to breed new colonies but as fast as they do it, they lose one of their hives and have to use them to replace the broods at their main site. They are almost fighting a losing battle. Local bee inspectors are reporting the large number of bee deaths in hives all around the area.

The situation is compounded by the increase in the number of people, inspired by the publicity, to book up on the beginners courses they run. When my husband went last year it nearly did not run because of lack of interest - now they are booked up until the end of 2010, but the biggest issue is where all of these new beekeepers will get their bees from and when?

They are available from specialist suppliers but bees from different areas have different temperaments. Pembrokeshire bees are quite docile although one of my husband's contacts bought some bees at a local auction without knowing their origins, but believing them to be from Pembrokeshire , and she has a really aggressive colony. Every time she looks at the hive her husband has to remain indoors as they make a beeline (sorry) for him. He has become petrified of them.

Whereas here, we have become enamoured of them. We sent for some wallpaper samples from Sanderson for our bedroom. I picked the paper because I love the name - Etchings and Roses - and the graphic imagery.

Only when it came did my husband point out the bee on it. Must have been a subliminal choice!