Category: The Apprentice & The Bee

Episode 47
The Appprentice And The Bee
Overwintering – Washing Cocoons

To give our Red Mason bees the best chance of thriving come spring, it’s essential to protect them from parasites, fungal infections, and disease.  After carefully sorting, we begin by giving our waterproof cocoons a gentle bath in cool water with a small amount of bleach. This step helps eliminate any harmful fungal spores or […]

Episode 46
The Appprentice And The Bee
2nd Year Apprentices – Traditional Pitched Roof with a Flat Roof Dormer

In their journey to mastering joinery, our Apprentices continue to develop skills that mirror the meticulous processes of our solitary bees – building with precision and purpose for sustainable growth and succession.  This stage of their training focuses on constructing a traditional pitched roof with a flat roof dormer, a task that sharpens their understanding […]

Episode 45
The Appprentice And The Bee
Overwintering – Separated Cocoons & Masonry

Annual maintenance is the cornerstone of a healthy and productive bee hotel.   Cleaning it out each year not only safeguards the bees but also ensures the space is ready to welcome the next generation—much like how regular evaluations and care keep a business thriving.  Without this upkeep, a bee hotel can quickly become a haven […]

Episode 44
The Appprentice And The Bee
Mastering the Hip-End in Pitched Roof Construction

A mandatory component of our Apprentices’ 2nd Year college curriculum in Carpentry & Joinery, is Pitched Roof Construction – a critical and challenging milestone of their studies.  In this phase, each Apprentice is individually assessed on their ability to use traditional construction methods to craft a precise hip-end detail to their pitched roof.  This task […]

Episode 43
The Appprentice And The Bee
Overwintering – Removing Cocoons

One of the most critical aspects of maintaining a bee hotel is ensuring it’s cleaned out annually.  This essential task prepares the hotel for next season, much like conducting regular health checks for a thriving business.  Without proper maintenance, a bee hotel can quickly become overrun with parasites, leading to a decline in productivity – […]

Episode 42
The Appprentice And The Bee
Happy New Year 2025!

From all of us at Fourply, we wish you the very best for 2025!  This photo captures a special moment: one of our apprentices putting the finishing touches on one of our handcrafted bee hotels, stamping them to commemorate the start of another successful year.   

Episode 41
The Appprentice And The Bee
Overwintering – Removing Observation Panels

While our Bee Hotel thrives as a collective, it’s crucial to focus on the progress of each individual bee inside – just as we do with our Apprentices.  As 2024 winds down, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the growth of our Bees and Apprentices alike – whether they have wings or work boots!  […]

Episode 40
The Appprentice And The Bee
Festive Greetings from Fourply, Our Apprentices and Our Bees!

From everyone here at Fourply – including our talented apprentices and their beautifully handcrafted bee hotels – we send our warmest wishes for a joyful festive season and a Happy New Year for 2025!  Thank you for being part of our journey this year. Let’s make 2025 even brighter! 

Episode 39
The Appprentice And The Bee
Overwintering – Stage 1

While we’re still celebrating our Apprentices’ award success, our bees are preparing for their own quiet winter.  Although they seem safe and snug in their hotels, they need a little extra care to ensure they make it through the colder months.  To protect our bees from harsh weather and hungry predators, the first step in […]

There is a buzz about the place!

Following on from our Training Initiative award some of the industry publications have picked up on our achievement. Read what they are saying below: Project Scotland https://projectscot.com/2024/11/glasgow-firms-innovative-apprentice-initiative-recognised-with-national-award/ Scottish Construction Now https://www.scottishconstructionnow.com/articles/and-finally-the-bees-knees Scottish Building Federation https://scottish-building.co.uk/the-bees-knees-fourply-training-programme-lifts-national-award/