Oh my gosh…I can’t believe this has happened and I’m absolutely delighted. I’ve always loved the look of the old fashioned beehives and couldn’t believe my luck when I saw one sitting in a skip. I rescued it and Brian kindly painted it for me, and for the past year it has sat in our garden looking very pretty. Over the past weeks I’ve been busy with hospital appts. caring, gardening, and bat rescue and now we have lovely bees living with us. There is never a dull moment that is for sure.
I contacted the local Bee Keepers Ass. and this afternoon, Bruce, arrived with all his gear and attempted to collect our bees. I don’t want them to go but they need to be with someone that can care for them properly.
All is absolutely silent now.. just one bee on a blade of grass, on sentry duty, by the entrance.
Bruce, the beekeeper, is a nice gentleman. Apparently, he isn’t fond of honey but he loves bees, and also he appreciated my over-the-knee, bee socks. 
Bruce explained that my bees were a second cast and would not survive left to their own devices. Unfortunately, the transfer wasn’t quite straightforward and he is returning later this p.m to collect our bees. The bees were left to climb the ladder and most are now inside their temporary home. I feel really lucky that we were able to experience this on our doorstep – it’s been a really interesting experience and it is lovely to know that our bees are going to a good home.