WHEN almost a third of the Okehampton branch of the Devon Beekeepers? Association visited the apiary of Mr and Mrs Banbury at Bondleigh recently they learned that only that morning one of the hives had swarmed.
Commiserations on the loss were quickly curtailed when it was revealed that club treasurer Jim Sampson had that morning been advised by Mrs Banbury of the impending departure of her bees. Hurrying round, he arrived in time to find the swarm nearby and captured them in a traditional straw-made type of hive.
The afternoon inspection of hives conducted by Jim was the prelude to another event. On to sheet-covered boards, leading to the entrance of a newly prepared permanent hive, Jim gently shook out perhaps 50,000 bees from the swarm in the skep to let the queen bee lead them into a new home.
Okehampton beekeepers welcome new members and the branch can be contacted via chairman, Bob Hurdle on 01647 231511, or secretary, Ray King on 01363 772007.