SOTONIENSIS 2020 | 47
Clubs and Societies
Astronomy Society This year four students continued to prepare for their GCSE in Astronomy in the summer, with regular discussions about the course, and topical events in Astronomy, every week. The highlight of the year was certainly the transit of the planet Mercury across the face of the Sun which took place in November. We were fortunate enough, for once, to experience beautiful weather and
Beekeeping Club For the Romans beekeeping was an important activity. Although bees were kept in large numbers on the estates throughout Roman Italy, such was the demand that honey and wax were imported from other parts of the Empire such as Spain and Corsica. Early agricultural writings including Varro’s De re rustica, and Virgil’s Fourth Georgic provide an insight into beekeeping during this period. Virgil noted: “For bees put no trust in the sky when storms come up with an east wind, and seldom venture far away from their hives when downpours impend: instead, they draw the water off and stick close to their “city walls” where any flights they take are brief; as the wind blows and the rain falls they steady themselves through turbulence by taking with them little stones (as frail boats, faced with violence of gales and tides, take ballast on), and hold their given course along the clouds, balanced, and balancing.” The great Sherlock Holmes was also fascinated with bees. When he retired from his London work he went to Sussex. “My house is lonely. I, my old housekeeper, and my bees have the estate all to ourselves” (The Adventure of the Lion’s Mane). Holmes also wrote the legendary “Practical Handbook of Bee Culture”, a book not only packed with wonderful bee-keeping lore but
were able to take some good pictures of the event, especially since the next transit of Mercury won’t take place until 2032! Thanks to Joe, Ethan, Adam and William for an enjoyable few years of Astronomy, and best of luck for the future, although I’m sure Ethan you already know what’s in store for you….
Mr Simm
also one which featured as a decoy for government secrets in the famous story ‘His Last Bow’. For Holmes there was a close connection between his work as a consulting detective and beekeeping: 1. Patience Searching for details, evidence and checking facts are necessary during an investigation, and one needs a lot of patience to do them. You also have to be patient to observe bees and care for them. 2. Taking responsibility An investigation may save lives, and a beekeeper is also responsible for the well-being of his/her bees. 3. Preparedness A good detective tries to collect as much data as he/ she can in order to make his/her work easier. You cannot start keeping bees without knowing at least the basics. 4. Perseverance No activity can be effective without it. If it is given, the detective surely solves the case, and the beekeeper can collect the precious honey. The KES Beekeeping Club is proud to follow in such company. Since 2012, Mr Robinson and visiting apiarist, Mr Norris, have guided the club through many successful honey harvests. In August 2019 we received our first rescue colony and during March 2020, we recorded in our log book our one hundredth member (once a member of Bee Club, always a member of Bee Club). In the early spring of 2021 the hives will be sited in the refurbished Eco Garden.
