Hampshire beekeepers have recorded the biggest increase ever in the number of people wanting to keep bees – good news after the dramatic decline in the bee population reported in the summer.

The Hampshire Beekeepers’ Association (HBA) reports 250 new members signing up in the past year.

At their annual convention Eastleigh MP, Chris Huhne, said “Bees are an essential part of the ecological system that enable us to survive. Without their efforts in pollinating plants, our agricultural and horticultural economy would collapse.

"It is marvellous news that Hampshire's beekeepers are in the throes of a great revival as people realise what is at stake and want to help.”

Attendees at the HBA convention heard a lecture from Dr Dave Chandler of Warwick University on the latest research using fungi to tackle the varroa mite which is the prime suspect in colony collapse.

See Hedgeendpeople’s story, ‘No Knees, the Queen Bee Isn’t, And Is There Honey still for Tea in Hedge End?’ tinyurl.com/yh8o9qn for more information about the HBA and keeping bees see their website, tinyurl.com/yjpsygz

And if you’ve taken to keeping bees, do tell Hedgeendpeople!