Living Beeing

Jen first got into keeping bees more than 10 years ago and quickly realised: that real ecology is more complex than we can ever imagine, that everything fits together in remarkable and wonderful ways and that just keeping honeybees in hives is far from the answer. Now she talks to schools and young learners about the other 274 species of bee, about butterflies, flies and wasps, about their relationships with plants and about how we need to protect our environment in a sensitive, meaningful way. She aims to dispel myths and misunderstandings and to help nurture a new generation of active naturalists. As ever, check out our website for pictures: www.livingbeeing.com

Back in July 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, co-host Chris Park shared with us his huge experience in making mead. People have been dabbling with this fascinating brew for millenia. An alcoholic drink made from mixing honey and water (and sometimes herbs or fruit), it has a delicious effect on mind and body. In a mouth-tingling episode, we talk about mead’s rich taste, its powerful medicinal properties, the ancient traditions of making mead and the wide range of herbs that can be added to increase its flavour, opacity and health values. Check out some great pictures and a FREE, easy mead recipe at www.livingbeeing.com.

A matter of weeks before the release and roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines, we spoke to leading Apitherapist, Stefan Stangaciu about the huge progress in research relating to honeybee medicines; particularly propolis. Apitherapy is all about the health that comes from bees (Apis) and the hive. Stefan has 29 years experience in this area. Our lives have been transformed by pandemic, leading us to search urgently for new drugs, vaccines and remedies. We look to multinationals and powerful corporates for answers; but the bee’s clever strategies for disease mitigation and control pre-date ours by millions of years. Their ability to cope, adapt and survive is a sobering example to us as humans. Perhaps now we can draw on their experience and benefit from their medicine; reviving what our ancestors already knew. More information plus the Zoom recording on www.livingbeeing.com. Stefan’s website: www.apitherapy.com.

Many people will never have heard of propolis - the bees’ secret weapon against infection. Honeybees collect sticky tree resin, bring it back to the hive and manipulate it into a substance that lines the nest or coats foreign bodies (even dead mice!) to block out unwanted bacteria and infection. Humankind has long known of this product and used it to boost immunity and cure or prevent anything from viruses to severe toothache etc. Researching and using this substance as a medicine could be a vital defence tool in a new pandemic-prevalent world. James Fearnley is a man of extraordinary achievements who has dedicated a large part of his life to the research of hive products beneficial to health - in particular propolis. He founded the International Propolis Research Group (IPRG) and, more recently, the Bee Arc (www.beearc.com). His company BeeVital (www.beevitalpropolis.com) was set up to research and explore the many pharmacological and clinical properties of propolis. Pictures and show notes available at: www.livingbeeing.com

It’s now 5 months since we launched our podcast. Despite lockdown and the continuing global pandemic, the bees have been as busy as ever. They are the great survivors. This year we’ve seen plentiful swarms and a good excess of honey. Patrick is keen to show Chris his hives on James’ land nearby in Wiltshire. At the end of the beekeeping season, it’s a nice opportunity to discuss the different “establishments” in which bees can live and thrive. A swarm has even been known to set up home in a traffic cone! We haven’t got one of those but our log hive (supplied by http://beekindhives.uk) was occupied within a week.

It’s Asian Hornet Week and Sam Day is back from a busy visit to Jersey. The island is already experiencing the spread of this insect from the French mainland. Able to hibernate in imported plants and foods and with a potentially voracious appetite for bees and other insects, it has the potential to have a significant effect on our indigenous fauna and home agriculture. Along with a team of 30+ experts and volunteers, Sam has been helping to research and test possible solutions for tracking and pinpointing these nests more easily. And she’s captured and brought back some wonderful audio interviews, samples and stories. https://www.bbka.org.uk/Event/asian-hornet-week-2020?gclid=CjwKCAjwtNf6BRAwEiwAkt6UQvUqraNZ7X-SNAnhRSaB7Jy13uqVQgcXaoS1oh13UYxIb8pwI67w1BoC00sQAvD_BwE

We follow in the footsteps of the renowned Gilbert White - naturalist, ecologist and ornithologist - on our first location recording in Gilbert’s hometown of Selborne, almost exactly 300 years after his birth. On a glorious summer’s day in July, our guide, Stephen Fleming (AKA. Drone Whisperer and co-editor of Bee Craft magazine: www.bee-craft.com) takes us to the exact spot where Gilbert heard a strange humming sound. We learn more about the mysterious DCA - no, not a 70’s rock cover band nor a complex unit of electricity, but a Drone Congregation Area. Our adventure leaves more questions unanswered than answered and more mysteries to ponder. For example: how do drones know where to go in their final, fateful or fruitless flight to mate with a queen; how does the queen find them; what links these magical places to ancient settlements, hill forts and peoples of old; is there, perhaps, a DCA somewhere near you? For pictures and video click: www.livingbeeing.com and Vita Bee Health DCA videos: https://www.vita-europe.com/beehealth/blog/dca2016/

Apitherapy is a practice that uses the healing powers of honeybees. Gerry first came across it by accident when she became very ill with Lyme disease - a debilitating condition caused by tick bites. Treatment for this disease, in Gerry’s case, involved a lengthy course of bee stings! Her ongoing research has led to further interest in other apitherapy practices such as the use of propolis, pollen and royal jelly. Gerry also writes childrens’ stories and she treated us to some wonderful excerpts from her new book “The Secrets of Hope, the Honey Bee”.

Chris and Patrick talk to Norman Carreck - a well-known bee scientist - about his love and passion for bees; both as a beekeeper and a scientist. Sensitive to the needs of bees, Norman gives us his opinion on a whole raft of topics: what constitutes indigenous or alien species, the wonderful adaptability of bees, asian hornet, successful species of bee, stress and the movement of bees, plants and animals by humans, the Covid-19 pandemic, disease, local bees and tolerance of disease, inbreeding, Peter Tomkin, the longevity of beekeepers, getting young people involved, 5G and EMF.

We talk to Dr Martin Bencsik about the wonder of bees, their sensitivities to vibration and communication through sound. Martin’s father kept bees but the young Martin disliked beekeeping and remembers his fear of being stung! Ironically, today much of Martin’s research work as a scientist involves studying bees and how they cooperate in the hive specifically through the use of vibration - toots and quacks from the queens. Fascinating new research.