The Wonder of Bees BBC4 Mon.14th. April

[Russel]

Interestingly made by ITV production for the BBC.
If you watched the follow up "Who killed the honeybee" 2008 Martha states she's kept bees for seven years, so should not be as inexperienced as portrayed in the earlier program. BTW her gloves were manky then too and wild comb above crown board, possibly from the same footage/shoot?
However if it raises awareness of the importance of bees then ever little helps.

 

[Beesand]

I know that the idea is for the presenter to "play dumb" and ask questions that she clearly already knows the answer to ... but there were a whole lot of questions (and eyebrows) raised, and not quite enough answers.


Didn't like the idea of taking the bees out into the barren British countryside before there was any forage about. Just one opportunity missed to make a worthwhile point. OK, the camera crew were booked for a specific day and Spring was late ...
The bees were left with a feeder of syrup (without comment), but also with a super-full of foundation (and no QX).
And having this morning visited some bees that had perpendicular ideas when given wide spaced foundation (10 to a national box), I was a bit disbelieving of the immaculately drawn comb seemingly produced in a WBC box with just 8 frames of foundation (even wider spaced than 10 in a National).

Shame about her gloves.
And her choice of WBCs for migratory beekeeping ...
And the fondant above the non-see-through coverboard holes, when there turned out to be plenty stores in the hive.
And a bunch of other details.


But the notes in the top of the hive suggested that she knew rather more than she was allowed to let on, DWV as the most notable example. She has actually fronted a "threats to the bees" documentary which covered varroa pretty well, so I'm pretty sure she is familiar with DWV.
However "her journey" seems to be the theme of the series, so they have to start her well back!


Overall, a view for the public giving a glimpse of hobby beekeeping.
And not too bad a shot at it. (Though there is a heap of material there for Association training discussions!)

 

[jd101k2000]

My experience of the media is that it is impossible to get any message across unedited. (The closest must be those 1970's Open University programmes... wish they would put those on again. Beards, complicated, technical language, polyester shirts, pipes... the lot. Viewing figures pi/4.)
The reason is that they have to entertain and get great viewing figures. The editor will not be an expert in the technical subject covered. There are also shooting schedules and other pressures. Compare that to people on here who, when not bee keeping are either on here or ordering more kit from major suppliers.

So, be thankful that it was relatively accurate, there was no too much bad practice and it might encourage others to look into bee keeping or at least be bee sympathisers.

Believe me, compared to other technical subjects I have see covered it was a paragon of accuracy! I quite enjoyed spotting the mistakes and comparing practice to my own. I did exclaim when I saw the state of her gloves. Bad woman!

 

[itma]

Interestingly made by ITV production for the BBC.
If you watched the follow up "Who killed the honeybee" 2008 Martha states she's kept bees for seven years, so should not be as inexperienced as portrayed in the earlier program. BTW her gloves were manky then too and wild comb above crown board, possibly from the same footage/shoot?
However if it raises awareness of the importance of bees then ever little helps.

It is unfortunate that the presenter of any specialist programme these days seemingly HAS to be portrayed as someone knowing only a fraction more than the totally ignorant viewer, thereby acting as a 'bridge' between the expert being interviewed and the inexpert viewer.
But playing dumb isn't always a good way to portray yourself!


The sheet of notes on each crownboard (unremarked) suggests a beekeeper that knows very well what she is doing.

Just a pity that since she'd managed to swing a new top-of-the-line beesuit, a couple of expensive new hives, and a couple more colonies of bees, all on the programme's expenses, she hadn't managed to wangle some new gloves, and if she must wear welders gloves, some disposables to put over the top to keep them clean.

 

[Stiffy]

I find it incredible that its not possible to make a show were the presenter can put across their subject well and not be riddled with errors or bad practice but then everything is perfect (not) in my world.
I enjoyed the programme but like to have a good rant at the box occasionally!
The bees she had all seemed a bit 'runny' to me and I am not surprised she has a bad tempered one. I am waiting to see her re-queen the nasty hive and wonder if it was supplied previously by the 'knowledgeable' beek?
S

 

[Russel]

I find it incredible that its not possible to make a show were the presenter can put across their subject well and not be riddled with errors or bad practice but then everything is perfect (not) in my world.
I enjoyed the programme but like to have a good rant at the box occasionally!
The bees she had all seemed a bit 'runny' to me and I am not surprised she has a bad tempered one. I am waiting to see her re-queen the nasty hive and wonder if it was supplied previously by the 'knowledgeable' beek?
S

F & M's honey seemed a bit runny?

 

[jd101k2000]

I assumed it was hot in the shop

 

[Stiffy]

F & M's honey seemed a bit runny?

No compared to mine, the bees seemed to be 'runny' ie running all over the comb. I have had bees that do this and find it usually goes along with a tetchy hive.
BTW who's F&M ?
S

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Russel]

No compared to mine, the bees seemed to be 'runny' ie running all over the comb. I have had bees that do this and find it usually goes along with a tetchy hive.
BTW who's F&M ?
S

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Fortnum & Mason the "shop" they were sampling honey in. Notice they tried "Welsh Honey" but couldn't see where in Wales?

 

[Stiffy]

Fortnum & Mason the "shop" they were sampling honey in. Notice they tried "Welsh Honey" but couldn't see where in Wales?

Thanks, realised that was it after replying........you can tell I don't mix with such illustrious circles. I am used to seeing 'normal' people tasting honey flavours so one of the most entertaining parts of the programme was seeing a 'posh' fella exalting the virtues of different honeys, probably trying to justify the price they charge. Note they didn't have a some of Tregothnans Manuka which would be probably too costly even for them!
S

 

[Mellifera397]

I want programmes made by the bbc with a similar layout to Keith Delaplane's vids. Actually giving the viewer real information rather than 30 minutes of dross sprinkled with a tiny amount of info. These programmes should show the viewer what beekeeping is like, BBC 4 should leave the populist 'entertainment' to 1 and 2 while actually putting on valuable, educational programmes on the telly.

M

 

[rockdoc]

could be better

Glad to see people responding to this programme on the forum, I was beginning to wonder how you were all keeping your hands of the keypad!
I have to say I was hoping for a much more adult based programme along the lines of what someones already said - i.e. how the hobby works for most of us. That does not include phoning a 'master beekeeper' from the field on the apparent first sighting of DWV. I thought this was a very clumsy way of introducing varroa (the BBC think we spell it with an e on the planner). As was the practice of moving the hive to the flower meadow and presumably leaving quite a few flying bees on the original site.
I promise that I tried to view this offering objectively and for the most part it does the job of giving the general public an overview into our hobby, but some of the clangers are unforgivable. For example taking out a brood frame from the middle of the nest is really not on without making space as is allowing wild comb to be built under your super just because you forgot to fill in the gaps in the BB below, and where was the QX anyway!
I really hate to knock this attempt to highlight our hobby, but with the number of errors after only two programmes does not fill me with confidence for the rest of the series. Where is Bill T when you need him!

 

[REDWOOD]

It's all about pleasing the viewers than the beekeepers and that's entertainment
If you want educational beekeeping go to youtube

 

[Mellifera397]

It's all about pleasing the viewers than the beekeepers and that's entertainment
If you want educational beekeeping go to youtube

Yeah I know, but in the ideal world.......

M