The Blog has learnt that The Grange is embarking on a new venture to compensate for the lack of income from its wedding and party business following vociferous local opposition.
The secret plan, under discussion with local authority officers, is to start the country’s largest bee farm in the grounds. Environmental officers estimate that it would be possible to accommodate some 7,000 hives, each one containing some 40,000 bees. That means there could be 280 million bees buzzing around Horsington by this time next year.
In a good year the honey crop would be some 375 tons, worth about £3.8 million at retail price levels. Surplus wax, used for many household products such as polish and candles, retails at about £14 per pound and will bring in considerable extra income.
However the real income from these creatures will come from supplying them to police forces and HM Customs as drug and explosive sniffers. Bees can be trained more quickly, and at a fraction of the cost of sniffer dogs. See story
There will be local employment opportunities to collect the honey and wax, and to feed the bees in winter, when their numbers will drop dramatically. The Blog understands there will jobs for about 5 people, plus a manager.
Local opposition is expected to be strong, as it is thought that some residents will be disturbed (or is it outraged?-Ed) by the noise of buzzing bees and the honey tanker traffic.
Local beekeepers are understood to be concerned that the new bees may steal food from established bee colonies. A prominent local beekeeper, who did not want to be named, speaking to the Blog on April 1st said “This must be stopped. Promiscuous drones from the Grange will mate with our queens and ruin the breed”.
Blog Exclusive! See the promotion video on the proposed scheme .
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy9JZLmgrPE&feature=fvwp&NR=1
More about bees –it’s really interesting
http://www.somersetbeekeepers.org.uk/
Pub quiz question: What is the chemical formula for beeswax?
C15 H31 CO2 C30 H61, of course.
I’m sure everyone will be buzzing with glee. The income should cover the Grange’s annual SDLT charge…