Out apiary

[user 3509]

After keeping bees in our large garden for three seasons we are going to have to move to an out apiary as our neighbour got stung yesterday whilst cutting his grass and went into anaphylactic shock and became unconscious. This is the first time it has ever happened to him but we can no longer take the risk. If we can't find anywhere suitable as I am disabled and access could be a problem then we will have to give up beekeeping.

 

[YorkshireBees]

That would be a real shame if you had to give up. I totally understand the reasons for having to move them. I can only suggest that you advertise locally maybe someone with a big garden less public or piece of land suitable is willing to let you keep them there.

Personally one of my local farmers has been more than willing to allow me to keep bees at the edge of his fields, although that might not be suitable for yourself.

 

[ratcatcher]

three years and one sting, was it one of your bees then?

 

[user 3509]

I can only imagine that it was. All three hives have been quite grumpy for the last week or so and other beekeepers in Plymouth have been saying that their bees have been unusually tetchy as well. There is no obvious reason for it except the humid weather.

 

[user 6228]

After keeping bees in our large garden for three seasons we are going to have to move to an out apiary as our neighbour got stung yesterday whilst cutting his grass and went into anaphylactic shock and became unconscious. This is the first time it has ever happened to him but we can no longer take the risk. If we can't find anywhere suitable as I am disabled and access could be a problem then we will have to give up beekeeping.

Given the way bees seek out nectar sources.. Your neighbour is going to have to give up flowers in their garden to reduce their chance of being stung. If your fences are over 6ft high then whether they get bees in their garden is really down them rather than you.
But when did scientific reasoning enter neighbour disputes or even the court system?

 

[ratcatcher]

But when did scientific reasoning enter neighbour disputes or even the court system?

I've never heard of anyone ever being taken to court over a bee sting, anyone else have news/links

 

[Dishmop]

Did you actually witness the neighbour going into shock or is it just what he said happened?

 

[Moggett]

Try browsing google earth for your locality to see if there are any areas of land that could be suitable. Visit or fire off emails to likely land owners!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Whereabouts in Plymouth are you? plenty of wide open spaces if you look around a bit

 

[user 3509]

Fair question Dishmop but our poor neighbour wasn't putting on the agony. He showed us the A&E doctor's report and it made scary reading. He even apologised to US for the trouble. But even if it hadn't been one of OUR bees that stung him we still couldn't take the risk of keeping bees next door to someone who had an anaphylactic reaction to a sting. Thankfully another local BBKA member has told us about a new apiary site so we're hopeful that things will work out for the best.

 

[Bee Bumble]

Sorry to hear of your troubles and of your neighbours suffering. It sounds as though it will sorted soon though. We have bees in our garden too, but so far no one has been stung as far as we know.

 

[warts]

Hi
Have you thought about contacting a local college / university campus that offers agricultural courses and discussing the possibility of placing your hives on their land? It may sound daft, but it isn't as silly as it might sound. Disabled access shouldn't be a problem and other than possibly doing an enhanced CRB check, if they agreed, you could be good to go pretty soon. Yes, there would have to be a risk assessment, BUT choosing a college / university that offers agricultural courses is far more likely to be receptive. You may have to negotiate something in return, or at least sell it to them on a PR basis (saving the bees or helping locals, or even intro to bees session for their students), but you may get some interest. You may even find a lecturer who works there is also a beekeeper who might support your request.

I have my bees in the countryside. Some houses nearby, but they are very much country people...and see bees as part of their environment. I suspect managers of agricultural courses will be of a similar mindset.

Just something to think about

Hope all turns out well

Sally

Additional comment...OK, now read previous posts properly, and you can ignore my post, unless things don't work out for you (though hope it does)

 

[Excession]

Fair question Dishmop but our poor neighbour wasn't putting on the agony. He showed us the A&E doctor's report and it made scary reading. He even apologised to US for the trouble. But even if it hadn't been one of OUR bees that stung him we still couldn't take the risk of keeping bees next door to someone who had an anaphylactic reaction to a sting. Thankfully another local BBKA member has told us about a new apiary site so we're hopeful that things will work out for the best.

Very responsible, too much shrugging off of responsibilities going on, it's so good to see someone take it head on.

It's irrelevant if it was your bee or not, how would you live with yourself if anything happened?

Thankfully you have a good result with the local association!

Credit to you.