Bees return to Standen

HONEY could be back on the menu at Standen when a bee hive is reintroduced.

The National Trust is putting bees back into the kitchen garden at the property thanks to a grant from the Co-operative Community Grant.

The Victorian kitchen garden is currently undergoing a thorough restoration and bringing the bees back is just part of the project to restore the atmosphere of the gardens at Standen.

Kitchen gardener, Carolyn Hibbert said: "Mrs Beale, Standen's Victorian resident, records in her garden diary for 1902, 'Had up to Sep 10th 25lbs honey from bees bought in April' so we're hoping come September we can make the same boast."

East Grinstead's resident bee-keeper Neil Hart will be training Standen volunteers to manage and care for the swarms, and educate our visitors about the importance of this species which has become increasingly threatened in recent years.

The grant was awarded to the Friends of Standen Estate, an independent voluntary group who support the work of the National Trust in the woodlands and estate at Standen.

For more information visit www.fose.org.uk

The gardens open again from next Wednesday (March 17) on Wednesdays to Sunday from 11am to 5.30pm.