Colony of rare Welsh black bees rescued from building in Deiniolen to be used in bee therapy

The delicate removal on Monday was the second in two weeks for Katie Hayward, of the Felin Honeybees Honey Farm and Education Centre, at Cemlyn, Cemaes.

Katie was called after a roofing contractor was unable to continue working, after a colony of bees were found in the rafters.

After a careful removal, the tiny bees were transported back to hives at Katie’s bee farm. After a period of time, to let them settle, they will eventually be used as part of Katie’s bee therapy work.

Katie, uses the “healing power” of bees and her bee-keeping skills to help people facing all types of life issues from cancer and chemo therapy, to mental health problems to disability, to helping youngsters coping with substance abuse.

As well as producing honey and related products, she also goes out into the community and to local schools to share her knowledge.

Bee removal is a major part of her work and she undertakes about 50 rescues each year. Projects have included work on commercial and residential properties, commercial construction sites, such as the Caernarfon bypass and a major incident was at the Anglesey Shooting School at Bodedern, where an entire roof had to be removed.

Katie said: “Bee removal is quite specialist, it is something that people must not try to do themselves, and it is not recommended for novice bee keepers.

“You must have a background in construction as well as having all the right insurances.

“The Deiniolen bees will be used in our therapy work. Bees have an amazing, calming effect.”

Katie has been nominated in the Welsh Womens’ Awards, celebrating outstanding women. She is attending a ceremony at the Coal Exchange, Cardiff on Wednesday.

“I’ll be swapping my bee suit for a ball gown, it is very exciting!” She said.

"To ask what I did to deserve this I have no clue. I just love what I do and every day I pinch myself. I feel so honoured that the public have put me forward for this award."