We started with one hive in 2024 with the aim of accessing pure local honey for our family, friends and ourselves.
Our Norfolk bees are housed in a William Broughton-Carr (WBC) hive. We have found this type of hive, originally designed in 1890, offers superior insulation, lower condensation and is attractive in the garden setting. Our aim was to support our Hethersett based bees to develop in the best conditions that we could provide.
We expanded into two WBC hives in 2025. Our Hethersett hives are surrounded by high hedges and shrubs to encourage the bees to fly up when exiting the hives. This reduces risk to the general public, and encourages them to seek pollen and nectar from our more extensive back garden and the surrounding village area.
We maintain high standards and use safe organic methods of treatment in our integrated management plan, alongside good animal husbandry methods.
By spring 2026 we had extracted over 35 kilograms of pure honey, always mindful to leave honey in the hives for the bees themselves. The honey we are extracting amounts to approximately fifty percent of the total honey produced by the bees. Following extraction, the honey is filtered and bottled into sterilised jars, to provide the best product available. Whilst initially utilising the honey for our own needs, we can now offer pure, local honey for sale to the surrounding community.
We maintain good hygiene standards, and ensure good integrated management of our Hethersett Hives. To this end, we have invested in a honey extraction cabin to enhance our efficiency and enable us to provide a designated clean area for extraction.
We enjoy watching our bees fly in and out of their WBC hives, particularly when the weather is warm. As part of routine inspection, listening to the level of the bee buzzing within the hive, and watching the bees develop from egg, to larva, pupa, then adult bee, enables us to feel reassured they are contented and secure within their environment. We believe that bees are vitally important for the environment and will continue to care for them and encourage conservation of their habitat.
