Author Archives: Peter Halford

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Gardeners told not to mow lawns for next 31 days

30-Apr-26 – Kent Live
https://www.kentlive.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/gardeners-told-not-mow-lawns-10942442

New Zealand drafts in Asian hornet hunters from UK

26-Apr-26 – BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckge54dvkjzo

Why Thunderstorms Can Make Your Pollen Allergies Worse – And What You Can Do About It

20-Apr-26 – Homes and Gardens
https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/thunderstorm-pollen-spikes-and-what-to-do-to-protect-yourself

Chinese Scientists Control Live Bees to Spy—You Won’t Believe How They Did It

17-Apr-26 – Futura Sciences
https://www.futura-sciences.com/en/chinese-scientists-control-live-bees-to-spy-you-wont-believe-how-they-did-it_30450/

'Don't throw coffee away' as BBC expert says it has 'great use' in your garden 'for bees'

15-Apr-26 – The Express
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/garden/2194364/dont-throw-coffee-away-bbc

Yes, Bees Can See in Color – And These Are the Flowers They’re Most Attracted To

13-Apr-26 – Homes and Gardens
https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/colors-that-attract-bees

Bid to provide onsite welfare to bees rejected by planners

13-Apr-26 – Midlothian News
https://www.midlothianview.com/news/bid-to-provide-onsite-welfare-to-bees-rejected-by-planners

Children buzz to Parliament to demand law to protect nature and climate

10-Apr-26 – Independent Catholic News
https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/54761

I tried 16 supermarket honeys – a £4.90 pot from Sainsbury’s was the clear winner

19-Mar-26 – iNews
https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/supermarket-honeys-aldi-manuka-price-4272272

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 Asian hornet nests detected in Algarve

30-Mar-26 – Portugal Resident
https://www.portugalresident.com/asian-hornet-nests-detected-in-algarve/

Thousands of British honey jars may contain traces of powerful cancer and pain drugs, scientists warn

24-Mar-26 – GB News
https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/honey-jar-warning-contamination-cancer-pain-drugs

Honey bees dance better with an audience

24-Mar-26 – Science Daily
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260324230105.htm

Wet winter may be behind 'devastating' bee losses

16-Mar-26 – BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kgx31zypmo

Prince William teases Princess Kate about her favourite hobby: 'Be careful what you say!'

13-Mar-26 – Hello!
https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/889367/prince-william-teases-kate-middleton-favourite-hobby/

UNBEE-LIEVABLE Bumblebee queens can survive underwater for DAYS as experts accidentally uncover insect’s secret superpower

11-Mar-26 – The Sun
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/38477514/bumblebee-queens-survive-underwater-superpower/

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Mite threatening bee populations advances toward Netherlands, researchers warn

26-Feb-26 – NL Times
https://nltimes.nl/2026/02/26/mite-threatening-bee-populations-advances-toward-netherlands-researchers-warn

Packaging firm partners with bee monitoring expert on biodiversity mapping

Feb-26 – Envirotec Magazine
https://envirotecmagazine.com/2026/02/24/packaging-firm-partners-with-bee-monitoring-expert-on-biodiversity-mapping/

Luxembourg to provide financial aid for homeowners plagued by Asian hornets

11-Feb-26 – Luxembourg Times
https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/luxembourg-to-provide-financial-aid-for-homeowners-plagued-by-asian-hornets/130967362.html

Robots to the rescue of Europe’s declining bee colonies

09-Feb-26 – Euractiv
https://www.euractiv.com/news/robots-to-the-rescue-when-it-comes-to-europes-declining-bee-colonies/

Hornet alarm signals reveal individual colony identity and worker differences

03-Feb-26 – Natural Science News
https://naturalsciencenews.com/article/19733

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Wings & things - by Roxanne Gould

It is an honour to write to you as your new Chairperson, and I would like to begin by offering my sincere thanks to those who have brought us to this point. In particular, I want to recognise the dedication and steady leadership of our outgoing Chair, Malcolm Wilkie. His Chairman’s Chatter was a familiar and trusted voice, guiding the Association through the past few years. I am also deeply grateful to the committee members who have recently stepped down. Their time, expertise, and quiet commitment have helped build the strong, supportive Association we benefit from today.
I step into this role with respect for our traditions and with real excitement for what lies ahead. Beekeeping is rooted in patience, observation, and shared knowledge passed from one generation to the next. Those values will remain at the heart of everything we do. At the same time, like any hive, we must continue to adapt if we are to thrive.
While beekeeping can often be a solitary pursuit, with many quiet hours spent alone among our hives, there is immense value in coming together to share what we have learned. The collective knowledge within this Association is one of our greatest strengths. By openly sharing successes, challenges, and hard-won lessons, we all become better beekeepers. I also believe there is much to be gained from building closer relationships with like-minded organisations in neighbouring areas, allowing ideas and support to flow more freely across our wider beekeeping community.
I look forward to working with you all, listening carefully, and helping our Association grow, together and in balance. If you have any ideas for the future, please reach out to me at: the.hwbka+chair@gmail.com