ST JOHN'S TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD (From Worcester News)

ST JOHN'S TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD

8:50am Tuesday 23rd October 2007 in Community

During the summer the guild members enjoyed several social activities.

There was a most enjoyable skittles evening on July 27, and 12 members travelled to Hereford on August 17 to attend a Townswomen's Guild garden party. On August 29 a large number went on a river trip from Upton-upon-Severn to Tewkesbury and back again.

At the monthly meeting on September 29 we welcomed one new member, and Mr Smith from Astley gave an interesting and talk about bees and bee keeping. He brought along and explained the working of a hive, and showed us how honey was extracted from the honeycomb.

Bees have an amazing social life, and each one is born to fulfil its life's work. The hive is a complete community consisting of one queen bee who is able to lay 2,000 eggs a day. There are nurse bees who take care of the grubs, cleaners and fanners who keep the temperature constant. The soldiers guard the hive, and the workers, collectors and distributors are responsible for the pollen. Only one queen bee grub is allowed to grow, so that when the hive becomes overcrowded, the old queen takes flight and a swarm follows, creating a new community. In a good year an average hive is able to produce up to 30lbs of honey.

Bees provide so many different products from their tireless work besides honey. We have candles and beeswax, some medicines - including honey bandages for ulcers, lip salves, and other make-up products.

We should never kill a bee, and if it stings flick it away; by doing this the poison is deflected.

It was a most enjoyable evening, especially to see and handle a real honeycomb and marvel at its construction.

At the meeting on November 15 Dr Katherine Lack will give a talk entitled Worcester Pilgrimage and visitors are most welcome. We meet at 7.30pm in Bromyard Road Methodist Church Hall.

BARBARA SPODE