The Co-op are supporting a pilot initiative on allotments in Manchester to train in bee-keeping and provide hives/colonies to those attending the courses.  This is due to be expanded during 2010 to Scotland and (guess what) London. 

The site has some interesting info on supporting bees, including plants to help increase pollination, the importance of providing water for them (not a problem near Martins Pond presumably!), and the offer of a cut-price bee shelters.

Many thanks to Sue on plot 130 for this article see the link to the Co-op in the Links list on the left and congratulations on finally retrieving the last of your parsnips, leeks and celeriac, without the aid of a pneumatic drill.

Just a quick reminder of the rules on Bee Keeping on the Gardens -
Bees - May be kept on the allotments and only in such numbers and housing conditions as the committee may approve.

We want to encourage bee keeping on the gardens but it is essential that they are well looked after.