Beekeeping on the Hildon Estate has been a labour of love, spearheaded by Jonathan Bell, Hildon’s Finance Manager. Though primarily an accountant, Jonathan always had a mind towards the environment sustainability, “although as an accountant, this often conflicts!” When the opportunity to get involved in the Hildon beekeeping initiative, Jonathan was keen to get involved.

Jonathan’s passion for ecology stems from his mother’s involvement in beekeeping. She was deeply integrated into the Somerset beekeeping community, and while Jonathan's beekeeping journey began after he left home, he frequently assisted her during visits, developing a profound appreciation for bees and their essential role in the environment.

On the Hildon Estate, Jonathan collaborates with Marketing Manager Sharron, Executive Assistant Clare, and Peter from the Romsey and District Beekeepers Association (R&DBKA), a group known for its supportive community. Their practical training, mentorship, and collective knowledge help manage the complexities of beekeeping, from hive management to swarm control and bee health. Peter’s support and knowledge has been, “first class.”

The Hildon hives have faced several challenges, including harsh winters and bee health issues that reduced their number from six to just two hives. However, resilience and adaptive management have helped the estate recover. Recently, the team successfully rehomed a swarm found on-site and introduced new colonies. Jonathan re-queened one of the hives twice this year, a critical step in ensuring colony health and productivity. The swarm hive is thriving, and others are being prepped for winter with new queens and carefully stored honey to sustain them through the colder months.

One significant improvement this year has been relocating the hives from an exposed paddock to more sheltered, disused stables. This shift not only protects the bees from the elements but also minimizes the energy they expend in temperature regulation, leading to healthier and more productive colonies. Jonathan and his team hope to expand the number of colonies next year, potentially doubling or even tripling their current number.

Why Bees Matter to the Environment

Bees play an indispensable role as pollinators, supporting biodiversity and food production. They are responsible for pollinating a wide range of crops and wild plants, ensuring plant species' survival and ecosystem health. Without bees, many fruits, vegetables, and nuts would struggle to reproduce, drastically impacting agricultural output and wildlife habitats. The honey produced by bees not only serves as their food source but also offers numerous health benefits for humans. However, habitat loss, pesticides, invasive species like the Asian hornet, and climate change pose significant threats to bee populations, making conservation efforts more vital than ever.

UK beekeepers must contend with challenges like the Varroa mite, a parasitic pest that weakens hives, and unpredictable weather patterns that affect nectar and pollen availability. Associations like the R&DBKA play a critical role in supporting beekeepers, offering guidance and expertise.

Through the efforts at Hildon, Jonathan and his team are contributing to this essential ecological work, ensuring that bees continue to thrive on the estate while advancing the company’s broader environmental goals.

Beekeeping Successes at Hildon

Recently, a swarm was discovered near Hildon House. Swarming is a natural part of a bee colony’s lifecycle, where a queen leaves with a portion of the colony to establish a new hive. The team successfully rehomed this swarm into one of the estate's existing hives. The careful relocation has paid off, and the swarm is now thriving in its new sheltered home.

In addition to managing the swarm, we introduced a new queen into one of our older hives. The queen is the heart of a bee colony, laying thousands of eggs daily and maintaining harmony within the hive. Since queens typically live for 3–4 years, replacing aging queens is essential to keep the colony strong. The first queen was not excepted by the colony and a second queen had to be introduced. Our newly introduced queen is already laying eggs and growing a new generation of bees.

To monitor hive health, we mark our queens with a small dot of paint, making her easy to identify during inspections (otherwise, it's like playing "Where’s Wally?" with yellow and black stripes!). We use a different color each year to maintain detailed records of each colony, ensuring efficient management. This simple practice helps our colonies thrive under optimal conditions.

Challenges and Resilience in Beekeeping

Despite our successes, beekeeping at Hildon has not been without challenges. Earlier this year, our six hives were reduced to two due to harsh weather and other issues. We lost one hive over the winter and had to combine two colonies to strengthen them. While some colonies struggled because of the wet summer and insufficient nectar, the newly rehomed swarm hive is flourishing.

Honey harvested at Hildon is typically offered to employees, and it’s a favourite perk among the staff. However, due to this year's wet weather and having only 4 hives, our bees will need to keep most of their honey to sustain themselves through the winter. We're optimistic that next year, with stronger colonies and a growing apiary, we'll see a bumper honey harvest!