Esther welcomes a new nucleus of bees to the allotment who are keen to make their mark, and tries to settle them in with a little self-penned song. We hear about the seasonal cycle of the bees, how they’re already preparing for winter and how and why bees do their waggle dance.

Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As well as reporting back the latest from the hives, Esther tells Jane all about the good times the Queens have on their maiden flight. There’s more from Alison Benjamin from Urban Bees on the best forage to be found for bees throughout spring and summer and finally, why ‘Death In The Forest’ became a pertinent phrase for Esther during one eventful trip to the hive...

Follow us on instagram @queenbeespod for pictures from the allotment, the hives and more!

Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the hive from the get go this week, to see how the bees are doing after last week’s sad news and Esther’s friend Lynn comes to the rescue bringing in an emergency queen. Jane learns more from Esther about the Queen Bees who fight for supremacy and there are some more tips for a healthy colony.

Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's some sad news about the Monkons colony this week, oddly echoing the current situation we humans find ourselves in. Nonetheless, Esther has a plan for how to keep her other colonies going, and if anyone can do it - Esther can! The ladies also chat to Alison Benjamin from Urban Bees about her knowledge of all things bee, and discuss the different types of bees to be found in the UK. Follow us @queenbeespod on instagram.

Find out more about Urban Bees and their work here: www.urbanbees.co.uk

Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 1: Welcome to Queen Bees - In our first episode, recorded earlier in the summer, how Esther and Jane first met and how Esther’s first foray into bee-keeping got her intimately acquainted with her furry friends. While we’re on introductions, we meet Esther’s two colonies – the Italians and the Monkons (you’ll find out…) at the hive. There’s a surprise in store however for Esther when she inspects the hives and we go straight into advanced bee-keeping from the get go!

Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast

Follow the pod on Instagram @queenbeespod for more pictures and videos from the hive

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.