National Trust taking a backward step?

[MartinL]

It was a couple of years back now, (around the same time Ms Gosh took over).

They started banging on about all the good they were doing with bees, Hives in every property posters up about it all etc etc.

Well last year hives at almost every garden we visited didn't look as if they were being looked after. vegetation obscuring access to the hives (unless the keeper stood directly infront of the entrance). Hardly any flying bees?


Hidcote Manor today all literature removed, observation hive taken down and hives are completely overgrown, no flying bees visible except what looked like a small colony (perhaps a feral swarm) in a pile of supers at the back!

Were they not bringing in enough profit for Dame Helen or has she decided they no-longer form part of the Blue-Sky vision???

 

[SDM]

I believe they are paying Beekeepers to place hives on some NT sites now.

 

[Hachi]

I believe they are paying Beekeepers to place hives on some NT sites now.

How do we find out about these opportunities?

 

[MartinL]

I believe they are paying Beekeepers to place hives on some NT sites now.

You sure they're not charging???

 

[Jimmy]

Charlecote also appears to have lost its apiary.

There are feral bees in a potting shed at Hidcote, also a chimney in the main building.
It's a favourite place for my 5 year old twins - they are easily bribed with an ice cream, a game of tennis and/or croquet*.

*you might not recognise the game being played as being the same as described.

 

[MartinL]

Charlecote is on our door-step, hives only appeared last year.

Often drop in to walk the grounds or a cup of expensive coffee as a treat! I'd happily drop a colony there if they were going to pay me in coffee & cake, (equivalent to £12 per visit)!

 

[Beefriendly]

if they were going to pay me in coffee & cake, (equivalent to £12 per visit)!

And just how much cake do you eat

 

[pargyle]

And just how much cake do you eat

That's just about one slice and one drink for two people at most Trust properties ... I'm a member and I reckon free entry is just the bait to get you in there and tea and cake is where the real money is !!! Usually good cake though ..

They have some nice hives that look well tended at most of the Trust sites around me in Hampshire ..

 

[MartinL]

That's just about one slice and one drink for two people at most Trust properties ... I'm a member and I reckon free entry is just the bait to get you in there and tea and cake is where the real money is !!! Usually good cake though ...

Not "Off Topic" at all!

Membership, is not "Free entry" just "Rip-Off" payment in advance! We are both life members but only get one guide and one car parking sticker each year!

They operate massive mark-up on everything sold in the shop & beat down suppliers heavier than Tesco!

There are feral bees in a potting shed at Hidcote, also a chimney in the main building.
.

Probably swarms from the apiary?

They have some nice hives that look well tended at most of the Trust sites around me in Hampshire ..

Similar round here couple of years ago when they started.
However, it looks to have been down hill ever since.
I've not seen Honey for sale and you can bet it would be (at extortionate prices) if they produced any!

Are there any "National Trust" Beekeepers on here?
Are you re-numerated or charged rent????

Oh and if anyone linked to N.T. Charlecote here I could be your man for the hives?

 

[colinc]

Not "Off Topic" at all!



Membership, is not "Free entry" just "Rip-Off" payment in advance! We are both life members but only get one guide and one car parking sticker each year! :

There is only ever one car sticker in the book when it comes but if you ask when you visit they give you a second with no charge.

There are bees at Packwood house I believe but they keep the visiting public well away from the hives.


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[linoleum bonypart]

Bees at plas newyd

 

[Apiarisnt]

Charlecote also appears to have lost its apiary.

Charlecote were charging £7 for a 350g jar of honey last year...

 

[MartinL]

Charlecote were charing £7 for a 350g jar of honey last year...

Wonder what they paid the beekeeper?
Less than £1.50 a pot if it's anything like the soap my wife used to supply?

Brailes is near Shipston on Stour,
Got to be @ 11-12 miles as the crow flies!
Not what you could describe as local to Charlecote!

 

[taurus]

A few places we go to have lost their beehives recently. When I asked about it I was told it was because they couldn't find any beekeepers willing to put hives there.

 

[MuswellMetro]

There is only ever one car sticker in the book when it comes but if you ask when you visit they give you a second with no charge.

There are bees at Packwood house I believe but they keep the visiting public well away from the hives.


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it changed this year, you now have to write in for the extra sticker and they only now allow one extra

 

[theeggman]

Charlecote is on our door-step, hives only appeared last year.

Often drop in to walk the grounds or a cup of expensive coffee as a treat! I'd happily drop a colony there if they were going to pay me in coffee & cake, (equivalent to £12 per visit)!

Being OAP's and tight we've joined the Scottish Trust for £60 per year joint membership and get free access to English properties at about half the cost.

The NT has lost the plot.

We've stuck the car park sticker to clear plastic and can then choose which car to go in.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Bees at plas newyd

Well, I hope you struggled to meet the fragrant Katie Hayward
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/pl...-buzz-around-plas-newydds-first-ever-bee-week

 

[Somerford]

I spoke to a local NT shop manager about stocking local Honey on their shop and she pointed to jars with the name of the site on - I challenged her as I know categorically there are no beehives on the site and she said it came from a beekeeper in Swindon 30 mins away yet it's sold as being from the actual location.

Trading standards ?!

Anyways, I'd be up for putting hives on the local sites - mind you Stonehenge and Avebury are a little out in the open ��

KR

S

 

[Hivemaker.]

Are there any "National Trust" Beekeepers on here?
Are you re-numerated or charged rent????

I have lots of hives on National Trust land, apart from one site I don't pay them any rent, nor do they pay me.

 

[Anduril]

Anyways, I'd be up for putting hives on the local sites - mind you Stonehenge and Avebury are a little out in the open ��

KR

S

Stonehenge would be a good place to put bait hives, if you don't mind heights