Category: The Apprentice & The Bee

Episode 79
The Appprentice And The Bee
Joinery Foundations – Mastering the T-Halving Joint

As our solitary bees rest through winter, each one continues its quiet journey towards a planned moment of emergence. Their progress relies on nature’s own sequence of development – a reminder that order and preparation matter.   Our Apprentices follow a similar path.  A key part of their learning is understanding the sequence of operations.  Get […]

Episode 78
The Appprentice And The Bee
Metamorphosis in Motion

This week, our Apprentices opened the nesting cassettes in our bee hotels to reveal rows of Red Mason bee cocoons — tiny lives that have completed their transformation and are resting through winter.  Now harvested and cared for, these cocoons will be ready to take flight in spring.  And just like our bees, our Apprentices […]

Episode 77
The Appprentice And The Bee
One Year On – A Proud Moment That Still Inspires Us

Our delighted apprentices receiving the 2024 Training Initiative Award.

One year ago tonight, our apprentices proudly took to the stage in Nottingham to receive the Training Initiative Award at the Construction Awards of Excellence 2024.  These awards recognise the outstanding achievements of contractors, tradespeople, designers and innovators across the UK — and it was a true highlight to see our apprentices representing Fourply and […]

Episode 76
The Appprentice And The Bee
A Mast Year for Acorns – and Apprentices

Every few years, oak trees produce an exceptional abundance of acorns – a natural event known as a mast year. It’s nature’s way of securing the future: by producing more seeds than ever, the oak increases its chances of survival and renewal.  This year, we’ve noticed a bumper crop of acorns carpeting the woodland floor […]

Episode 75
The Appprentice And The Bee
Still Buzzing — Even as Autumn Sets In

Whilst most of nature begins to slow down, some bees are still hard at work – taking every opportunity to pollinate before the colder months arrive.  In this video, this south-facing shrub is alive with activity — a mix of different bee species, each focused on the task at hand. Their determination, even at this […]

Episode 74
The Appprentice And The Bee
All Aboard – Welcoming Karly to Fourply!

Just like stepping onto a train for the first stop of an exciting new journey, our latest apprentice Karly has officially begun hers with Fourply.  Karly has already made a strong start on her apprenticeship journey, where she’ll be gaining hands-on experience while working towards her Modern Apprenticeship (SVQ Level 3) in Business and Administration.  […]

Episode 73
The Appprentice And The Bee
Three Chambers, Three Journeys

Back in spring, we opened the door of one of our Bee Hotels to discover three newly emerged Red Mason bees, resting in their own chambers — pausing before the next phase of their journey: laying the foundation for the next generation.  This week, we see a similar story unfolding at Fourply. Three of our […]

Episode 72
The Appprentice And The Bee
Lessons in Looking Closer

At first glance, this striking insect might be mistaken for a butterfly. Bright, colourful and full of character – it certainly catches the eye.  But with a little more knowledge and experience, we learn it’s actually a Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata). Proof that taking the time to pause, look deeper and check the details can […]

Episode 70
The Appprentice And The Bee
Carving Out a Future – Anna Steps Up

Meet Anna — captured here carefully routering a timber door as she returns to college to begin her Advanced Craft in Carpentry & Joinery.  With three years of hands-on learning behind her, Anna is now ready to sharpen her skills even further — tackling complex, high-spec joinery work that demands both precision and creativity. This […]