A brand-new teaching apiary will be opened at RHS Garden Harlow Carr by the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate on World Bee Day, Friday 20th May, to celebrate the centenary of the Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers’ Association (HRBKA). The new education and teaching apiary has been provided by the RHS after extensive collaboration between the two societies. It is located at the top of South Field behind Betsy the Bee, the giant bee sculpture and in summer houses up to 30 colonies, which are owned and managed by HRBKA.
The official apiary opening will take place at 2pm and , weather permitting, members of HRBKA will give a live beekeeping demonstration. Located in The Lodge, there will also be a giant virtual beehive, giving visitors a glimpse into the hidden inner world of bees. HRBKA run s weekly Beekeeping demonstrations at Harlow Carr every Saturday at 2pm, throughout June , July and August, as well as providing Taster Days in June and July.
“The new apiary site is truly wonderful and an absolute joy to teach our beginners in. We love talking to the public and answering their questions whenever we are there, and it is a real privilege to work within these beautiful gardens all year round. HRBKA have a long history of working with the RHS and we are grateful for the opportunity to continue building on past and present relationships, bringing all the wonders and delights of beekeeping to visitors and students alike.” (Sarah Haynes, HRBKA Education Officer & Apiary Manager)
World Bee Day 2022 also kicks off a whole week of half-term activities from 28 May, all about bees and how important they are in our gardens. This May half term, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is asking families to get ‘buzzy’, and discover the Power of Superbees, with a week of fun, bee-themed activities at each of the five RHS Gardens (Sat 28 May – Sun 5 June 2022).
As early summer flowers begin to bloom, RHS Harlow Carr will be a hive of activity. Take a peek into the secret life of bees as you follow the Super Bee garden trail, designed to help families discover more about the important role these pollinators play. Enjoy craft and plant workshops, beekeeping demonstrations, multisensory installations and more.
