In the late 1600s, the manor in the remote northwestern region of Wales was given to the National Trust. The agreement stated that the bees living in the roof, who occasionally make excess honey that seeps through the walls, must not be disturbed.
Unfortunately, due to the effects of harsh wind and rain, the traditional slate roof of Plas yn Rhiw on the Llŷn peninsula is in need of replacement. As a result, approximately 50,000 endangered Welsh black bees have been relocated to a temporary residence during the construction process.
Mary Thomas, the property operations manager of the house, explained that the bees were relocated about 10 miles away from their original location. This distance was intentionally chosen to prevent the bees from returning to the house immediately. Once spring arrives, the bees will be brought back to the house’s orchard where they currently reside in the hives. The hope is that the bees will naturally make their way back to the house’s roof.
In 1938, three sisters named Eileen, Lorna, and Honora Keating took ownership of Plas yn Rhiw and rescued it from neglect. They worked diligently to restore it with care and affection.
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In 1952, the sisters entrusted the house to the National Trust, with the stipulation that the bees living in the roof be looked after. They specifically requested that the wild bees be left alone and asked that any future tenants refrain from using harmful chemicals to manage pests, seeking advice on alternative methods instead.
Although Plas yn Rhiw is located in its own micro-climate on the Llŷn peninsula and is typically warmer than other areas of north Wales, it can experience strong winds and intense precipitation during the winter season.
In the past two centuries, the roof has undergone minor repairs, but recent extreme weather has led to its decay, thus necessitating a brand new roof.
The project is being completed in phases, using the existing slate when feasible and incorporating over 4,000 fresh Welsh slates from the Penrhyn quarry located in north Wales, which was previously the biggest slate quarry worldwide.
According to the trust, the black honey bee – thought to have become extinct except in some isolated regions of northern Britain – was found again in 2012, including in north Wales. The trust identified the Welsh black honey bee as a subspecies of the black honey bee.
A company called SwarmCatcher was enlisted to capture the bees from the roof and relocate them to nearby hives.
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Thomas stated that the Keating sisters had a strong appreciation for nature and wildlife and were passionate advocates for the Council for the Protection of Rural Wales.
The Keatings renovated the house and turned it into a home not just for themselves, but also for other creatures. In addition to having rabbits in the garden and badgers in the woodland, the bees living in the roof were also welcomed and continue to be. Sometimes in the summer, honey can even be seen oozing from cracks in the walls, a reminder of the bees’ presence.
According to the trust, discovering bees in roof spaces is not a typical occurrence. They are more experienced with finding ways to safeguard bats when undertaking roofing projects.
Plas yn Rhiw is home to common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and whiskered bats, which are also being protected during the re-roofing project. In addition to maintaining access for the bats that roost in the roof, additional small gaps around the eaves and under the slates at the ends of the building will be carefully added so the bees can return to their old home.
After it is finished, the waterproof roof is expected to make the house more energy-efficient and decrease the potential for humidity damage to the rooms, making it easier to refurbish and decorate them.
The garden and park will be accessible again on March 20th, however, the house will remain closed while conservation efforts continue.
Source: theguardian.com
