There’s a real buzz around St Michael’s in Bray, some new members of the team have been making a sweet deal for the church.
Since arriving last year, two bee communities living in hives in the vicarage garden have produced 65 jars of honey for their keeper, the Revd Ainsley Swift. Ainsley was inspired to try the new hobby after reading a book about monks and their beekeeping in 2020. He added two hives to the garden but they stood empty as the pandemic took over. In 2024, a swarm moved into one and Ainsley decided to introduce a swarm to the other.
He said: “It is a very contemplative thing to see the bees work so hard. It is so calming to have the bees in the garden. There is something contemplative about them they just get on with it, they just keep working.”
The hives are placed in the south of the garden so the bees can make a ‘beeline’ and fly north of the garden to local fruit trees for pollination.
Ainsley is learning about his new craft from a local experienced bee keeper, including the regular checks needed during the summer months and how to feed the hive once the honey has been removed.
Ainsley added: “The first batch of honey was so sweet and floral, from all the apple and plum trees. We sold some in aid of the church lighting scheme and gave a jar to Heston Blumenthal who has a restaurant nearby. I don’t know if he’s tasted it yet!”
Read mre about the life of the clergy in our diocese in the news section.