It is a little known fact that Clifton High School is the proud guardians of two thriving colonies of honeybees.
After their previous keeper (Steve from maintenance) retired at the end of the Autumn Term last year, the responsibility and honour of looking after our School honeybees have been taken over by Art and Design Technician (and secret street dancer) Mrs Lucy Huskisson and Science Technician (and biologist) Miss Hannah Cowling.
Throughout a steep and continuing learning curve, the pair have found this new endeavour deeply rewarding and insightful and under the kind mentorship of Bristol Beekeeping Association’s (BBKA) Master Beekeeper Richard Oliver, they are aiming to take the bees to new heights of health and productivity. Their plans include to establish a school beekeeping club in the future so watch this space!
Highlights so far have included splitting one colony into two, capturing the Queen to mark her with a red dot of paint (she needs to be easier to spot during inspections), observing the tiny eggs (smaller than a sesame seed) and watching the brand-new bees emerging from their cells (exactly like they are being born).