Meet... Peter, volunteer beekeeper

How long have you been keeping bees?

I have kept bees in London for 6 years, in my back garden. I have been tending the bees in the park since June 2021 when we created the hive there.

What made you want to get involved in beekeeping at BPP?

On a local Facebook page every spring there are loads of 'funny' posts about bees. People are afraid of them, trying to help them in the wrong way, trying to get rid of them, you name it. I think all those posts come from not having enough knowledge about the environment we live in. Getting involved in beekeeping helps us to reconnect. By keeping bees in BPP and having volunteers involved, it spreads the word about these creatures and about the ecosystem we live in. So, in short - to share experiences of learning about our environment!

What are the benefits of having a bee hive at BPP? 

The main benefit is being able to educate people by giving them first-hand experiences of bees. Loads of people have an irrational fear of insects. It may be a primitive instinct rooted deep inside us, but it can be reprogrammed by learning about insects’ behaviour and the role these creatures play in our ecosystem. After all, we are part of the same ecosystem. Sharing knowledge and experience with as many people as possible will definitely help.

Other benefits include:

- pollinating park trees and other plants. Honey bees are a small part of the ecosystem, there are hundreds of other species of bees and other pollinating creatures, but each of them specialises in different types of flowers.

- Honey! To me, honey and other hive produce (wax, propolis, pollen) are only by-products of the fascinating hobby, but nevertheless it’s a benefit to be able to harvest honey and share it with others.

What is your favourite thing about beekeeping?

That is very hard question. There are so many things I absolutely love about this hobby. I think the first that comes to mind is being able to sit in my garden in the morning with a mug of coffee and see the bees coming and going in such an organised way.  Also, smelling the scent of evaporating nectar being turned into honey... priceless!!  

What is your most memorable moment from beekeeping at BPP?

It’s been such a short time of having bees in the park, but so far I think the most memorable moment was actually catching the swarm and placing it in the hive. There were bystanders asking questions, taking photos and videos - that is what it is all about, sharing knowledge which may help the insects. 

What benefits do you get from volunteering at the park?

The main benefit is getting to know the network of volunteers and access to the pool of knowledge they have. Every single individual there has got a unique set of skills and knowledge. Other than that, a sense of purpose and a sense of making a difference in the local community. 

What are your hopes for the future (with respect to the bees in the park!)

My short term hope is that our little bee colony will survive through the winter! Longer term, it would be great to involve the wider local community in the project and to spread the word about simple things we can all do to improve our environment and make a better world for nature and for us.