Category: The Apprentice & The Bee

Episode 52
The Appprentice And The Bee
The Puzzle of a Bee’s Flight

Awareness is the foundation of success, whether in the journey of our apprentices or the flight of our bees.  Attached is an interesting excerpt from Cassell’s Book of Knowledge (from 1933) entitled ‘The Puzzle of a Bee’s Flight’.  “Perhaps you have noticed the extraordinary skill of many insects in whirling and darting and swooping through […]

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 50
The Appprentice And The Bee
Pitched 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 49
The Appprentice And The Bee
Overwintering – 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 48
The Appprentice And The Bee
Crafting 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 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 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 – […]