Episode 22: The Appprentice And The BeeNest Building Techniques
Here’s an intriguing look into the nest-building techniques of our Red Mason bees (Osmia bicornis). As solitary bees, they take on both the roles of queen and worker. At the top, a bee is busy sealing her latest cell with a wet mud wall. Using the horns on her face, she skilfully shapes the mud. […]
Episode 21: The Appprentice And The Bee 3rd Year Apprentices – Complex Timber Stair Construction Stringer and Newel Post Development
Our 3rd Year Carpentry & Joinery Apprentices are starting to assemble their previously manufactured components for their unit of Complex Timber Stair Construction. In this photo, the structure of their staircase is starting to come together by jointing their stringers to newel posts and handrails. In this unit, it is stressed to our apprentices how […]
Episode 20: The Appprentice And The Bee Initial Confusion but Hard Work & Persistence is Key!
Our Bee Hotels are buzzing with activity! The top three and very bottom flutes of this hotel are being filled with deliveries of pollen and mud by our diligent Red Mason bees. Although they may seem confused, they only deposit their goods once they recognise their previously claimed flute. In the very top flute, one […]
Episode 19: The Appprentice And The Bee 3rd Year Apprentices Mastering Risers and Tapered Treads in Complex Timber Stair Construction
Our 3rd Year Carpentry & Joinery Apprentices are forging ahead in their challenging unit on Complex Timber Stair Construction. On their workbenches, our apprentices are now focused on their next stage of manufacturing risers and tapered treads. A closer study of this photo reveals the traditional craftsmanship involved, with components fixed using timber wedges and […]
Episode 18: The Appprentice And The Bee Nesting Project in Full Swing!
Just like any successful project, proper planning is crucial before setting out. Our video clip captures a female Red Mason bee (Osmia bicornis) pausing for a temperature check before taking off on her pollen collection trip. Solitary bees, like those shown here, are more sensitive to weather than honeybees and bumblebees, often appearing only when […]
Episode 17
The Apprentice And The Bee3rd Year Apprentices – Complex Timber Stair Construction – Stringers:
This month, as part of their Advanced Craft studies, two of our 3rd Year Carpentry & Joinery Apprentices are focusing on Complex Timber Stair Construction. In this module, each apprentice demonstrates their technical skills by setting-out every stair component on a rod, before manufacturing. The precision and craftsmanship applied to machining the timber stringers, shown […]
Episode 16
The Apprentice And The BeeOur First Red Mason Bee Begins to Nest!
This captivating film clip provides a rare glimpse into the natural world of a female Red Mason bee (Osmia bicornis) who has recently started nesting in one of our hotels. Her nest comprises of a linear row of individual chambers, meticulously constructed and divided with wet mud. She fills each chamber with pollen and nectar, […]
Episode 15
The Apprentice And The BeeBasking and Patrolling in the Morning Sun
Springtime is a rewarding time to observe the intricate behaviours of solitary bees. Watch as these newly hatched Red Mason bees bask in the sun to warm up. Males are also repeatedly patrolling and investigating emergence holes from nests for potential mates.
Episode 14: The Apprentice and The Bee1st Year Apprentices – Timber Framed Construction:
This month, our 1st Year Carpentry & Joinery Apprentices are at the final stages of demonstrating their knowledge and understanding of Timber Framed Walling and Internal Partitioning Systems. By setting out, constructing and erecting these systems, they will have the ability to apply many skills learnt at college, such as: – Understanding the function of […]
Episode 13: The Apprentice and The Bee Getting Ready To Fly!
After recently hatching from their cocoons in our hotel’s drawer, our Red Mason bees crawled down to our nesting flutes for insulation until the air temperature rises. Solitary bees are more sensitive to weather than honeybees and bumblebees, often appearing only when the air temperature exceeds 15°C. Watch as our bees eagerly queue up as […]
