National Trust taking a backward step?

[JWF]

Think of the ley lines present at Stone Henge!

 

[MartinL]

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.

It's the ones on dwindling display at the properties I was interested in. Seems the hives remain but the bees are long gone!
Was there anything the N.T. did to discourage the beekeepers who looked after the hives at the start?

Then there's the idea that bees 12 miles away would be foraging on "local" flowers & hedgerows?

I spoke to a local NT shop manager. . . 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 ?

The Charlecote Label says "from the park"?

Their view on my wife's soap was that;

At 10 miles from Upton House she wasn't "local" but another producer 50 miles further South was, this is because they're both inside the same "N.T. Regional boundary".
They were however, willing to reconsider but only if she sold it to them at less than it cost to make thus giving them a 500% mark-up?

I assumed they might be doing the same with Bees as the label on their £7 "local honey" suggests.

 

[dpearce4]

I have asked our local regional NT properties manager, covers 20 sites in Sussex and the South Downs and the person out right said they don't want bees on any of the sites as they may be a risk to visitors, even sites that are 20+acres. Seemed very daft but didn't push it and it was a couple of years ago so things may have changed round here.

 

[pargyle]

I have asked our local regional NT properties manager, covers 20 sites in Sussex and the South Downs and the person out right said they don't want bees on any of the sites as they may be a risk to visitors, even sites that are 20+acres. Seemed very daft but didn't push it and it was a couple of years ago so things may have changed round here.

Uppark House at Harting had some nice hives ... not really segregated from the public except by a rope fence ... earlier this year. Bees were very active and nice looking hives as well ...

 

[MartinL]

Emailed Dame Helen last week,

No reply!

 

[Anduril]

Emailed Dame Helen last week,

No reply!

Send a gentle reminder with a link to this thread.

 

[MartinL]

Send a gentle reminder with a link to this thread.

I linked this thread in the email on the 11th with the photo of their "Charlecote Park Local" honey (from Brailes 12 miles away) "gathered by our bees from the park, local gardens, fields & hedgerows".

Might try Stratford Trading standards if the NT don't get their act together.

Recon Dame H is complicit in what's going on. Trying to turn the trust into big business.
Visit to Hidcote Gardens indicated there were more "Black shirted staff" than actual gardeners, place was over-run with weeds!

Shop was well stocked though, all "locally sourced" (from Indonesia & China).

 

[fatshark]

Perhaps contact the beekeeper. He always used to have bees at the park.

 

[Jimmy]

Recon Dame H is complicit in what's going on.

I look forward to the book,

Helen Ghosh, my part in her downfall by Martin L