Beekeeping is more than a hobby ― it’s a craft and passion shared by people from all walks of life. Beekeeping: A Practical Guide for Considerate Beekeepers blends the first-hand knowledge of experienced beekeepers, Clare Densley and Martin Hann of Buckfast Abbey, with field-tested methods to help beekeepers better understand the complex nature of honey bee society and foster a more harmonious relationship with their colonies. It delves into the complexities of swarming, unpredictable bee behaviour, and practical solutions when things go awry. Keeping bees is an opportunity for continual learning and acquiring new skills, and this book is designed to accompany beekeepers on their journey of discovery. It includes:

• Rare archive photos alongside modern images showing the Buckfast Abbey bee department's work today
• Insights into the science behind honey bee behaviour
• Techniques to calm and 'reset' bees
• Practical advice for making the best of unplanned situations
• A section on simple queen rearing
• Several tried and tested 'how to guides' including,
  'how to split a colony when you can't find the queen' and 'how to use a test comb'

MARTIN HANN started at Buckfast as a volunteer, then became part time and worked for the NBU as a seasonal bee inspector for six years before finally working full time in the Buckfast Bee department in 2019 in what he considers to be his dream job. 

CLARE DENSLEY got her first bees in 1992 and was instantly hooked. She started work at Buckfast Abbey in 2008, helping to manage 400 colonies. Today, Buckfast has 30 colonies and the focus is on education so Clare and Martin run courses and educational visits as well as watching over Buckfast's bees.