Hive & Keeper

22/04/2026

The Keeper's Journal - From log to spoon - https://mailchi.mp/hiveandkeeper/hello-from-hive-keeper-from-log-to-spoon

Today it's all about Amy and the extraordinary spoons and spreaders that emerge as she carves - turning from ugly ducklings to beautiful swans!!

09/04/2026

Ever since Marcus Brigstocke made Tooting Bananas with honey on Celebrity Chef our Tooting honey has flown off the shelf!⁠
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Our Tooting honey comes from bees that Sue keeps in a back garden just by Tooting Common. They get to forage all over the Common as well as the gardens all around them. Such a rich variety of flowers for the bees to visit makes for a delicious honey.⁠
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It's rich and smooth with a wonderful jammy flavour to it. Great in yoghurt, porridge or any cereal that needs a sweet lift! Sue took just enough honey off in August to fill 50 jars - truly small batch!⁠
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⁠☝️LinkInBio to buy Tooting Honey⁠
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31/01/2026

Another Proud Parent moment, and this one appreciating the story of the beekeeper that we pop in with our honeys. Why do we do it? Because we want everyone to know who is behind their honey or artisan-made product. I want us to all feel more connected to who and where things we buy come from.

26/01/2026

This honey has an intense butterscotch, vanilla flavour - with even a hint of coffee. It's a really nice balance of flavours and lovely to taste.⁠
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It comes from bees that Kaz keeps in ancient woodlands in Pulborough, Sussex. The landowner is managing these woodlands sustainably and bringing them back to their former glory. I took this picture of Kaz with her hives in the woods - it's a very peaceful spot.

22/01/2026

This is one of the old reference books that the mill keeps showing all the cloth designs and colourways they have woven over the years. Neither this or the old machinery is used anymore but I love that our throws are being made by a mill that has been around for ages - long may it continue!

20/01/2026

Orchard Fruits is my favourite throw, I love the colour - it's not monotone and dull it catches the light and reveals it's tweedy nature. This throw has been dyed naturally and not touched a chemical during its processing and weaving. It is a wonderful luxurious warm throw for a cold winter!

02/01/2026

Worth a read - there's signs that wildflower lose is slowing and 'not universal'. Nothing is straightforward and this article touches on the difficulties faced by farmers as they balance Team Wildflower and Team Make a Living. Never straightforward..

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION - look at what I can control and encourage biodiversity in my patch. Hold me to it!!

The decline in UK wildflower meadows not only threatens wildlife, say experts, but could drive up certain food prices

30/12/2025

Here's a new bee fact for you - fingers crossed we don't have a white-out this winter and end up with some confused bees nose diving in to the snow!

16/12/2025

When the rain stops.... the winter skies come into their own.

Favourite time of day.

Breath deep as tomorrow is the last day for 2nd class post before Christmas! 🎁🎁

🖕LinkinBio for some last minute inspiration!