Episode 103 The Apprentice And The BeeAlone in the Chamber
Resting quietly inside a single nesting chamber, this solitary Red Mason Bee appears isolated — yet instinctively focused on preparing the next generation. Despite the confined space, the work continues. Carefully, patiently and with purpose, each chamber will be prepared using pollen and mud to give future life the best possible chance to develop. Watching […]
Episode 102 The Appprentice And The BeeBringing the Stair Together
As part of their Advanced Craft studies at Kelvin College, one of our 3rd Year Carpentry & Joinery Apprentices has now completed this section of his Complex Timber Stair Construction project. From the initial setting out of the laminated stringers, through to routing housings, forming joints and assembling the staircase, every stage has required patience, […]
Episode 102 The Appprentice And The BeeBuilding the First Cell
This week brought encouraging signs of new beginnings in Tobago Street. Local Red Mason Bees have started showing real interest in our Bee Hotel hand-built by our apprentices — hovering around the entrances and preparing for the season ahead. As one of our Apprentices opens the viewing door, we catch sight of our first Red […]
Episode 101 The Appprentice And The BeeTrial Fitting Treads & Risers
As part of their Advanced Craft studies, one of our 3rd Year Carpentry & Joinery apprentices is progressing through Complex Timber Stair Construction – building a staircase the way it should be built: accurately, methodically and in the right sequence. In this photo he’s loosely fitting the treads and risers to confirm they sit cleanly […]
Episode 100 The Appprentice And The BeeOpportunity Finds a Way
Growth often starts with a simple step. As part of our ongoing expansion, we recently acquired the neighbouring property — creating new space, new potential and new opportunities for the future of the business. But nature had already made its move. One of our apprentices spotted solitary bees making use of old rawlbolt sleeves and […]
Episode 99 The Appprentice And The BeeThe Right Conditions for Skills to Grow
We were delighted to welcome Maureen Burke (MP for Glasgow North East) to our offices recently, where we presented our award-winning project, The Apprentice & The Bee. Whilst meeting several of our apprentices, we shared the local impact Fourply have built through our long-standing relationship with Glasgow Kelvin College (for over 10 years) – working […]
Episode 98 The Appprentice And The BeeThe Right Conditions to Emerge
Not all growth is visible … until the moment it happens. These cocoons have been developing quietly over the past 9 months. Now transferred into our hatchery drawer and returned to the Bee Hotel, they’re ready. Positioned south-facing … Sheltered … Waiting. Because when the temperature reaches 15°C … everything changes. Emergence begins. And it’s […]
Episode 97 The Appprentice And The BeeRouted Housings & Newel Joinery
As part of his Advanced Craft studies, one of our 3rd Year Carpentry & Joinery apprentices is progressing through Complex Timber Stair Construction – turning the set-out into real components that must fit first time. In this photo you can see a stringer section and newel posts that have been routed out and prepared to […]
Episode 96 The Appprentice And The BeeThe Bee Hotel Reopens for Spring
With winter behind us, it’s time to prepare our Bee Hotel for the season ahead. In this short clip, one of our Apprentices carefully reinstalls the cleaned Bee Hotel from last season, securing it to the wall before sliding the nesting cassette back into place — ready for the arrival of this season’s solitary bees. […]
Episode 95 The Appprentice And The BeeSetting Out a Complex Stair
As part of his Advanced Craft studies, one of our 3rd Year Carpentry & Joinery apprentices is currently working through Complex Timber Stair Construction at college. On the right-hand side of this photo is a laminated timber stringer in the setting-out stage. This is where the staircase is mapped onto the timber first — carefully […]
