Telling the bees

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It’s a custom to tell the bees when you get married. I whispered my wedding plans at the entrance of the hive as the bees flew to-and-fro in summer. Autumn shone in all her glory as John and I got married last month at St Giles’ Church in Ickenham. Ealing beekeeper Thomas Bickerdike did the honours of telling the bees. While I didn’t get to share a piece of wedding cake with the colonies, Tom did a great job of decorating the hives and there is always plenty of cake to go around at the apiary.

32 thoughts on “Telling the bees”

  2. Hi It is my beegarden in Russia. I have experiens  30 years. Next fotos are Philippines healer and I.  With best regards and wishes.  Anatoly  

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    Воскресенье, 6 ноября 2016 г., 11:45 +0300 от Mrs Apis Mellifera : >Emma Maund posted: ”

    It’s a custom to tell the bees when you get married. I whispered my wedding plans at the entrance of the hive as the bees flew to-and-fro in summer. Autumn shone in all her glory as John and I got married last month at St Giles’ Church in Ickenham. Ea” >

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    • Thanks Safar! It’s an old custom from northern Europe, the bees were told when their beekeeper had died or when the beekeeper, or someone in the family, had married. As with all folklore, there are variations. For instance, when the beekeeper died, the hive might be knocked three times by the new beekeeper and/or a black ribbon tied to the hive for a week. If the bees weren’t told it was thought they would die or abscond. With weddings, the bride would whisper her plans to the hive and after the event the bees were told and a piece of wedding cake saved for the hive.

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