The Feel Good Factor Talking bees and honey with resident bee keeper, Jean French

THE FEEL good FACTOR

WITH BEE KEEPER, JEAN FRENCH

Resident Boringdon bee keeper, Jean French

THE BORINGDON BEE HIVE

Here at Boringdon, we endeavour to treat our guests to fresh and local produce when it comes to all areas of their stay and that doesn’t stop when it comes to the honey.

A recent addition to the family at Boringdon Hall is the bee hive, tucked away in the wildflower meadow, where the luscious golden honey is produced ready for our guests to devour.

With many other benefits, other than being utterly irresistible to taste, we take a moment to sit down with Jean the beekeeper and understand a little better what those benefits are…

When did you first start working with bees?

I started learning how to keep bees in May 2008; 8 years on, still learning and enjoying my very addictive hobby!

“BEES FLY ABOUT 55,000 MILES TO MAKE JUST ONE POUND OF HONEY, THAT’S 1½ TIMES

AROUND THE

WORLD!”

What are the benefits of honey?

Honey has that ‘feel-good’ factor. It’s a natural sweetener and contains no additives and less needs to be used as it’s sweeter than sugar. With its anti-bacterial properties, it’s used in the medical professions to treat wounds and ulcers which is why it tends to be mixed with hot water and lemon to sooth a sore throat or cold. Although it’s not medically proven, those suffering from hay fever say a spoon of pure honey a day helps with the symptoms.

How do bees benefit the environment they are in?

Honey bees are important pollinators; we rely heavily on them for much of the food that is on our plate in one way or another. All sorts of crops are pollinated by honey bees, including fruit and many vegetables. And, it’s not just the food we eat that is important.

Pollination helps to feed many other animals and birds in the food chain and is a vital part of creating the diversity in the environment that we enjoy. In many parts of the world, honey bees play a vital role in pollinating forage crops for livestock, so even meat is affected by honey bees.

Bottom Photo - The queen bee is marked with a yellow dot in the lower right hand corner.

What can their honey be used for?

Honey can be used as a substitute for sugar in cooking and baking or in beauty products for its hydrating and anti-bacterial benefits. And of course, enjoyed on toast, breakfast cereals and yoghurt. Bees wax has its own uses too and often used in beauty products, candles and furniture polish.

How long will it take for a substantial amount of honey to form?

There are two honey flows during the year; spring-time when the spring flowers/trees come into blossom and another during the summer when the summer flowers blossom; hence the different flavours, textures and colours of honey. One hive can produce 60lb (27kg) or more in a good season, dependent on weather and colony size. However, an average hive would be around 25lb (11kg) surplus. Bees fly about 55,000 miles to make just one pound of honey, that’s 1½ times around the world!

How will Gaia Spa’s wildflower meadow benefit from the bees and how will they benefit from the meadow?

The wildflower meadow will provide a fantastic source of food (pollen and nectar) not only to honey bees but to other pollinating insects such as bumble bees, hover flies and butterflies; they in turn, will enrich the environment, encouraging more birds, wildlife into the area.

Keep an eye out for our pan d’morvain bread where our very own Boringdon honey is used.

Take Boringdon’s honey home with you…

Our honey is on sale at our hotel reception. For more information call 01752 344455 or email us on info@boringdonhall.co.uk