Episode 51 The Appprentice And The Bee Celebrating our 25th Year of Building & Growth!

This month marks the start of our 25th year in business! Over the years, we’ve built more than just structures – we’ve built lasting partnerships, nurtured talent, and laid strong foundations for the future. This handcrafted bee hotel, built by our Apprentices, represents Fourply as a business, while our solitary bees symbolise the people who […]
Episode 50The Appprentice And The BeePitched Roof Construction – Teamwork & Foresight

Our 2nd Year Apprentices are taking their Pitched Roof Construction project to the next stage, focusing on sheeting their roof and completing key finishing details like soffits in preparation for fascia boards. At this stage, teamwork and foresight become crucial. Apprentices must carefully consider the trades that will follow their carpentry work, such as leadwork, […]
Episode 49The Appprentice And The BeeOverwintering – Storing Cocoons

After being carefully cleaned and dried, our Red Mason Bee cocoons are ready for safe storage to ensure their survival through winter. In this video, you’ll see 223 cocoons placed in a sealed, recycled plastic container with a few ventilation holes punched in for airflow. To maintain the right level of humidity, we’ll include a […]
Episode 48The Appprentice And The BeeCrafting the Flat Roof Dormer

In this stage of their journey, our 2nd Year Apprentices are tackling the intricate components of a flat roof dormer within their traditional pitched roof project – a challenging yet rewarding milestone in their 4-year Carpentry & Joinery coursework. One key feature they’re mastering is the construction of ‘firring pieces’—tapered timber strips designed to create […]
Episode 47The Appprentice And The BeeOverwintering – 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 46The Appprentice And The Bee2nd 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 45The Appprentice And The BeeOverwintering – 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 44The Appprentice And The BeeMastering 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 43The Appprentice And The BeeOverwintering – 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 42The 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.