Bbc 4

[starcana]

could you post a link to the youtube. keith Delaplane series, as the search brings up too many options. Thanks

 

[BeeJayBee]

Not sure why those contraptions she hangs her bees in are more natural than a wooden hive.

Of course they're more natural than any other type of bee box, the price should tell you that - that and the fancy gazebo to put them in.

I'm surprised, though, that they just plonk a national super on top, it spoils the look of the thing a bit.

 

[alanf]

and the expert has never earned so much money in his life

BBC paying someone!...

Quite. If you've ever had dealings with the BBC they don't seem short of cash when it's for star "talent" or management. A different department when it comes to facilities or they want an "expert opinion"; suddenly the production has no budget. Tell them you'll do it for the BBC for free when Graham Norton (and Martha) are contributing for free...

 

[Ely]

John (the expert/mentor) is a very knowledgeable beekeeper who knows what he is doing and is highly competent at his craft.
Cazza

Yip. Met him a few times when buying stuff from his shop. Bought my first hives from him. And some jam. Yum. Probably call in again for a Queen soon. Seems a nice bloke

 

[pargyle]

I'm surprised, though, that they just plonk a national super on top, it spoils the look of the thing a bit.

I agree with that ... if there was a sensible way of constructing a circular super it would be so much more aesthetic sitting on top of the egg shaped hive ... I think they look quite attractive and whilst I don't think I'm up to making one I wouldn't mind one hanging in a gazebo in my garden (perhaps in a couple of years when I retire ....).

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I agree with that ... if there was a sensible way of constructing a circular super it would be so much more aesthetic sitting on top of the egg shaped hive ... I think they look quite attractive and whilst I don't think I'm up to making one I wouldn't mind one hanging in a gazebo in my garden (perhaps in a couple of years when I retire ....).

To keep up with the blatant symbolism you really need two circular supers.

 

[madasafish]

To keep up with the blatant symbolism you really need two circular supers.

 

[jd101k2000]

The BBC does have a budget... don't be afraid of negotiation. When my local church hosted Songs of Praise the vicar negotiated the fee up. Of course, if someone else will do it for free they will choose them instead. They will also pay expenses. (I was once a member of the Eurovision panel for the UK - the back-up in case the phone lines went down.)

 

[user 6228]

re: Sunhives ... I dont see any evidence in this or elsewhere that they have any properties in common with a wild bee colony...

re: honey ripening... unfortunately the actual process is dismissed (as by most of bee keeping and science) in a few sentences... The many KwH of effort and huge quantity of water removed almost ignored

 

[Apple]

German.. http://tinyurl.com/ac35csd

She rarely wears a bee suit (except when using a lawnmower – bees dislike the vibrations

Nothing to do with the OP, but interesting quote about this German maid, wonder if lawnmower is a petrol ride on or one of Ransome's original push alongs.
I let my grass grow tall, unless the chickens and sheep nibble it down, perhaps I am a "Natural lawn keeper"

I loved the quip about Fiffi and the Flower Tots!
We have a little Autistic chap in our school and he is Stingo mad!

OK back to bees, such fun

James

 

[madasafish]

She rarely wears a bee suit (except when using a lawnmower – bees dislike the vibrations

Nothing to do with the OP, but interesting quote about this German maid, wonder if lawnmower is a petrol ride on or one of Ransome's original push alongs.
James

I cut round and under my hives with a petrol lawnmower and strim round the hives. Bees do not care.

My bees were brought up properly...

 

[dn170221]

could you post a link to the youtube. keith Delaplane series, as the search brings up too many options. Thanks

Search for
A Year in the Life of an Apiary
D

 

[Lucky Bee]

Wow, this thread is more enjoyable than the TV show. So many posts reflecting my thoughts and mini slanging matches that have had me in fits of laughter. Fantastic - can't wait for next week!

 

[johnandyrob]

and the expert has never earned so much money in his life

BBC paying someone!
Equity basic at best for a qualified actor.
It is done for love, loveee!
AND all the cudos of being on the telly.

Still chuckling at the Yodelling Swiss Miss and her gazebo bee pods!

James

If you look the people paying the wages are ITV. I belive if the BBC had made the program it would be better just my humble opinion

 

[alanf]

If you look the people paying the wages are ITV...

Noticed that, commissioned by the BBC from ITV Productions. BBC have a target for commissioning programmes from outside production companies, this is one of those. What it generally means is that the budget is tight. Practically it's a fixed price deal to deliver 4 x 28 minute shows. Being intended for BBC4 the money is not going to be high, a small budget has to cover 110 hours of new "factual" programmes a year. In the same category is the quirky "expert" wandering around a couple of Georgian houses and raiding the dressing up box. I'm sure there are academic historians and period enthusiasts shouting at the TV for those too. The money is a tiny fraction of what they would need to pay an independent company for period drama, see the recent negotiations reported over Ripper street. Once you've hired Martha, a fee for the producer/director, researcher/assistants, cameraman plus sound recordist and hired their kit for however many days, so many days with editors and dubbing specialists in the edit and the voice over suite, paid for travel, fees for any library footage and other incidentals there's not a left over. That's the slice for the production company; any contingency reserve comes out of it so they make damn sure there's no contingency. Not quite the same as an internal BBC production where although it's tightened over the years, the budget is more of an estimate of what's allocated within the whole department budget rather than a fixed price.

The whole process leaves some rough edges, but that's mostly down to the fixed cost nature of the product. Beekeepers notice the continuity of honey in various states. Errors in the voice over (16 days "to hatching") show there was no time to review scripts or re-record if mistakes were noticed. That's why so many factual programmes are pitched as a "novice" learning, or a "personal" view. If it was authoritative they would have to spend far longer on the script and reviewing detail. The big pressure is time, get the recording done in the time that was first allocated, use it in edit as it is. Get the complete show out of the door on deadline because that's what gets you another commission. Given the limitations, they've done a reasonable job. We'll find out exactly how misleading it is to the general public at the next fete.

 

[pargyle]

Given the limitations, they've done a reasonable job. We'll find out exactly how misleading it is to the general public at the next fete.

Open Farm Sunday 8th June 2014 ...

http://www.farmsunday.org/ofs12b/home.eb

Our association is attending one locally - I did it last year and I'm there again this year ... it's a great day out and entrance is FREE ... kids love it ..

I expect a lot of questions this year about our bees ....