Apiary
The apiary operated by Huntingdonshire Beekeepers is situated in Hinchingbrooke Country Park, a facility provided by Huntingdonshire District Council.
Currently there are 3 hives at the apiary. They are named Victoria, Albert and our new hive Catherine given to us by The Friends of The Country Park. The apiary is used to provide some instruction on basic beekeeping techniques.
Visiting Times
Subject to weather and the co-operation of the bees, the Association opens the Apiary to visitors between 14.00 hrs and 15.00 hrs every Sunday between the months of April to September.
Visitors can see the bees from the safety of a glass-fronted shed and hear from the beekeepers on duty about what is happening in the hives. We try to find the Queen to show you but she tend to hide amongst the 40000 - 50000 other bees so don't be too disappointed if we cannot find her.
The Huntingdon Freemans Charity
HBKA have received the very generous support of The Huntingdon Freemans Charity who have given us the new full length glass windows for the apiary that will allow visitors to see the bees more easily and more clearly.
The Friends of The Country Park have also given generous support in many ways but in particular with the gift of a new hive. This will allow our beekeepers to show off the bees to more people and yet reduce the stress on the bees. The new hive received its new colony on 19 April 2011 and if it is as successful as we hope we will insert a new black queen later in 2011 to try and replicate the old British bee population that was wiped out in the UK in the 1920's.
Younger People
The Apiary is well equipped to help younger people enjoy and learn about the importance of the bees. There are leaflets explaining what the beekeepers are showing when the hives are opened and the glass panels go down to floor level so that everyone can see the bees at very close range.
Roger Wood is the current Apiary Manager and should be contacted with any requests for further information about the running of the apiary and related activities.