Welcome to our campus apiary: the ECOHives!

The ECOHives “inaugurated” on the 18th June 2018, with the welcoming of our first two colonies of honey bees, both Apis Mellifera Mellifera (“European dark bee”), bred by Kath and Simon from the Bee Centre in Samlesbury.  Kath and Simon are members of BIBBA and BBKA, and so our bees come from a certified local stock, well adapted to our parts of the world, and very gentle bees. Here are some pics of the opening day (photos credits: The Bee Centre). Later that summer, we added our third colony, which you can see below.

Kath, Phil, Nadia and Granville welcoming our bees

Phil Donkersley and Nadia Mazza, two of the LUBK committee members

tracking the queen bee on a frame

Queen bee on frame

Apiary Rules

No unauthorised access, that is, with no prior agreement with LUBK apiary manager (Nadia Mazza), for any non LUBK member.

No access without full protective equipment: bee suit with veil, and welllies. Gloves are strongly recommended.

The Lonsdale Porters’ lodge is a First Aid point. Injuries and incidents requiring first aid or emergency assistance will be managed by University Security. The security lodge will be contacted on 01524 594541 with clear information given as to location and type of incident. Life threatening accidents requiring 999, the location of the apiary is: Grid Reference=SD 48339 56966; X (Easting) : 348339 Y (Northing) : 456966; Latitude : 54.006116 Longitude : -2.7897141. Address (near) : Alexandra Park Dr, Lancaster LA1 4YN.

Here we are, September 2018 and our Eco Hives with their 3 colonies, almost ready for winter. In order, we have Colonies 1 & 2, Colony 1, Colony 2, and Colony 3.

colonies 1 & 2

colony 1

colony 2

colony 3