Introduction
Here we are almost in the last week of April and it’s been too cold to inspect the colonies. I get a fair idea of what is going on from watching the traffic at the entrances, counting the daily varroa drops and checking the temperatures on the BroodMinder app. One colony has stopped thermoregulating the brood nest and I’m wondering if there might be a supersedure going on as the queen is now in her 3rd season. This will be the first hive I open up when the weather warms —supposedly soon according the local forecast.
Today I’m sharing some childhood experiences that shaped my connection to nature and the land. It has nothing to do with practical beekeeping but the theme is connected to a recent article where I mention nature deprivation and the limits on today’s children when it comes to being outdoors exploring for themselves and having the freedom to walk for miles from home. https://www.beelistener.co.uk/beekeeping/attracting-younger-beekeepers/
It comes with a caveat that back in the day it was quite acceptable for farm children to trap moles. In fact, they were encouraged by a bounty which children who didn’t receive pocket money were eager to get. I can assure you that today’s moles are safe in my garden where they are welcomed. They sometimes tunnel up from the field below the house and throw up beautifully conditioned soil that I can use in flower pots.
A few years ago, I started writing regularly for several magazines. I wrote three articles on growing up on a Scottish hill farm in the 1950’s-60’s for Scottish Memories magazine. Sadly, it went bust shortly after my second piece was published.
Where I live now in Nairnshire, children play in the nearby woods and probably have the freedom to roam ½ mile from their homes. They are lucky. I find dens and tree swings on my wood walks, and it is a great reminder of my own childhood. But, more importantly, it is a reminder that even a little early exposure to nature and the outdoors can be a good foundation for the future and health of human populations and the land itself.
Even though children must be closely supervised in beekeeping, they can still have adventures and discover new things for themselves. My observation hive attracts a lot of young visitors over the season and the youngsters enjoy exploring the garden and looking out for squirrels who pop down from the nearby woods. One little boy told me, “I like coming to your garden—it’s just like being in a jungle.” A great compliment indeed.
Discover more from The Beelistener
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Ann, Thank you for sharing some of your childhood memories. They must bring back so much joy to you, and I experienced some of that same joy, pondering my own childhood memories of the Angus glens.
I think it is really important for our young children to be able to experience nature first hand, get some dirt in your mouth, does wonders for your immune system!
I loved seeing the articles from Scottish Memories, need to look that up.
Great article.
Kevin
Hello, Kevin. Thank you for contributing and commenting on this topic. I walked in the Angus glens when I worked in Dundee.
I’m getting much pleasure now from sharing nature with my grandson who is just over two and loves to dig in the garden and find worms and spiders while I weed. He also likes to watch the bees and told me the other day that they were “bringing pollen”. Best wishes, Ann.