The new breed of beekeepers taking up traditional 'old man's hobby' - and saving the British bee

By Paul Bentley for the Daily Mail
Updated: 18:13 EST, 14 May 2010


With the ever-present danger of a sharp sting, bees are not the easiest of pets.

Now, however, record numbers are taking the risk and buying hives in an effort to save the threatened species.

Bee-keeping clubs across the country have reported massive rises in membership in the last year.

Experts say the boom is down to a newfound sympathy for bees, which could be in terminal decline. Colonies of billions of honey bees have died worldwide since 2006, killed by a mystery condition that has baffled scientists.

Next generation: Honey Jennings, six (left), and her sister Kayleigh, seven, tend to their beehive in Okehampton, Devon

Next generation: Honey Jennings, six (left), and her sister Kayleigh, seven, tend to their beehive in Okehampton, Devon

Bees contribute £200million a year to the British economy through the production of honey. Their loss is a major threat to crops and human food production.

Now, following calls from scientists to help save the species, thousands have taken up bee-keeping.

The British Bee-keepers Association welcomed 5,000 new members last year – a rise of close to 50 per cent. President Martin Smith said: ‘The level of interest has been phenomenal. There has been a real boom.

‘There has been so much talk about the threat to bees that people want to do their

bit to help a species which has been around for millions of years.

‘Bees are vital to food production and pollination, and keep the countryside alive with colourful flowers. People really care about bees and when they realised they were in danger it prompted a huge amount of interest in bee-keeping.’

Buzz of excitement: Thousands of budding apiarists like Honey and Kayleigh have taken up the traditional hobby in the last year as Britons answer the call to help save the humble honey bee

Buzz of excitement: Thousands of budding apiarists like Honey and Kayleigh have taken up the traditional hobby in the last year as Britons answer the call to help save the humble honey bee

But he added: ‘Those who want to take up bee-keeping must be aware of the work that goes with it.

‘Anyone who has stood next to a bee-keeper when he opens a hive and sees 50,000 bees will know what a shock it can be.’

British beehive manufacturers have also seen a sharp rise in interest in hives, protective clothing and honey jars.

Bosses at National Bee Supplies in Devon have increased staff numbers from two to ten in the last year and the firm’s business is up by 50 per cent.

Their customers include the aptly named Honey Jennings, six, and her seven-year-old sister Kayleigh, who have recently taken up the hobby at their parents’ Devon home.

Bill Stevens, who owns the company, said: ‘Interest has skyrocketed. We’ve got a full order book and we are working really hard to keep up with demand.

A buzz on the honey makers

'It used to be seen as an old man’s hobby and was very popular in the war because if you kept bees you got a bigger sugar ration.

‘But it’s not regarded like that any more. It’s a lovely hobby but it’s also very, very important.’

The mysterious decline of bee populations has been reported across the world, including Europe, the U.S. and Japan.

In an attempt to boost numbers in Britain, queen bees from the Isle of Man are to be sent by post to colonies throughout the country.

Colonies on the Isle of Man are thriving thanks to a ban on importing foreign bees since 1987, which has prevented the spread of disease.

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