ANNE Williams, the Membership Development Officer of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, began our evening with a short presentation on the work of the Trust and the much valued contributions from members and volunteers.

Notably, over £100,000 was raised to help buy Hollybed Farm last year.

Keren Green, bee-keeper and Inspector, then gave us a fascinating and detailed description of her work, beautifully illustrated with pictures and actual equipment. She described how the design of hives has changed over the centuries, and how the honey can now be removed without damaging the bee colony. The life cycle of the bee is remarkable; while queens live up to five years and can lay 3000 eggs a day, the female workers only live six weeks. Bees have moods according to weather, temperature and foraging conditions. There are many pests and diseases, in particular the Varroa mite, now infecting 95% of all colonies. Wasps, mice, woodpeckers, the wax moth and even badgers can damage a hive. The Asian hornet is an aggressive predator and has already spread over much of Europe; it is only a matter of time before they appear in the UK.

Many of us went home with beeswax products and pots of honey to enjoy!

The next meeting of the Malvern Group is at 7.30pm at the Lyttelton Rooms, Church Street, on March 5. Jason Curtis, wildlife photographer, will talk about The Wildlife on Your Doorstep.

ALISON UREN