When the 17th-century manor house in the far north-west of Wales was bequeathed to the National Trust, it came with a clear condition: the bees in the roof, which sometimes produce so much honey that it oozes through cracks in the walls, should be left alone.
Unfortunately, the harsh effects of the wind and rain have caused damage to the slate roof of Plas yn Rhiw, a house located on the Llŷn peninsula. As a result, approximately 50,000 scarce Welsh black bees have been provided with a temporary residence during the repair process.
Mary Thomas, the manager of property operations at the house, stated that the bees were relocated approximately 10 miles away. If they had been brought closer, they may have returned immediately. In the upcoming spring season, the plan is to return them to the orchard on the house’s premises in the same hives they currently reside in, with the hope that they will naturally return to the roof.
Plas yn Rhiw was rescued from neglect and lovingly restored by three sisters, Eileen, Lorna and Honora Keating, after they acquired it in 1938.
In 1952, the sisters entrusted the house to the National Trust on the stipulation that the bees residing in the roof would be tended to, stating: “We strongly urge that the natural bees be left alone. We ask that all future occupants of the property avoid using harmful sprays and instead seek advice on safe methods for pest control.”
Although Plas yn Rhiw has its own unique micro-climate in the Llŷn peninsula and is typically warmer than other areas in north Wales, it can still experience strong winds and intense rainstorms during the winter season.
In the past two centuries, the roof has undergone numerous small repairs. However, the recent harsh weather conditions have greatly damaged it, resulting in the need for a complete replacement.
The project is being completed in segments, utilizing existing old slates when possible, alongside over 4,000 newly sourced Welsh slates from the historic Penrhyn quarry in North Wales, formerly the world’s biggest slate quarry.
The belief was that black bees had become extinct except in the most secluded areas of northern Britain. However, in 2012, they were found once again, including in north Wales. The organization stated that the Welsh black honey bee is a specific type of black honey bee.
The company SwarmCatcher, which specializes in collecting bees, was employed to relocate the bees from the roof to hives that were in close proximity.
Thomas stated that the Keating sisters had a strong love for nature and wildlife and were enthusiastic advocates for the Council for the Protection of Rural Wales.
The Keatings not only fixed up the house, but also turned it into a comfortable living space for others. They happily welcomed rabbits and badgers in the nearby garden and bees living in the roof, which are still considered part of the family even when honey occasionally seeps out of cracks during summertime.
According to the trust, it is not typical for bees to be found in roof spaces. Instead, their focus is on finding ways to safeguard bats during 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 its completion, the impermeable roof is expected to make the house more environmentally friendly and decrease the potential for humidity damage to the rooms and furnishings.
On 20 March, the garden and park will be accessible again, but the house will not be open due to ongoing preservation efforts.
Source: theguardian.com
