Hmmm
Thanks for all the replies. I had assumed £400-500 for a hive and gear - at £100 it sounds a lot more do-able.
There is a time factor though - I have enough other things to play with
Idiot comment coming up - It strikes me as odd that bees definitely need lots of management - surely...
If I just wanted a hive to help the countryside rather than to collect honey - can I buy a simple, small hive, hang it from a tree (perhaps) at the bottom of the garden and (more or less) leave it to its own devices?
I wouldn't mind something that's low/no commitment initially - mainly leaving...