Mantel Farm Shop

04/09/2026

https://www.mantelfarm.co.uk/latest-news/reserve-your-next-hens/

From mid September we will have a new flock of coloured hybrids available to buy. This is our last flock of

03/09/2026

Advice for treating bees for varroa.
If you don't already receive our newsletters you can sign up on the website 😊🐝

As the season winds down and our bees begin preparing for the colder months ahead, our priority shifts to ensuring

03/09/2026

A useful tip ahead of Yellow-legged Asian Hornet Week next week 🐝

Here's a timely observation shared by one of our Regional Bee Inspectors who has shared a subtle behaviour change at the hive entrance that can be an early sign hornets are targeting an apiary.

👀 If you notice bees congregating at the hive entrance seemingly without purpose and reduced foraging flights, it's worth spending some time watching that colony. Only one or two colonies in an apiary may show this, while the others carry on as normal.

The hornets themselves can be easy to miss. They tend to "just appear," flying low around the hives, often leaving and returning before targeting the bees, sometimes actively hawking, sometimes simply swooping around while scouting. Tellingly, the entrance behaviour can persist even when there's no hornet in sight at that moment, so the bees' reaction is itself worth heeding.

There can be other explanations for this behaviour, but at this time of year and with a nest recently confirmed in the North West (following Runcorn in 2025), a little extra vigilance in all areas is prudent.

🌿 And remember to keep an eye on the ivy which is coming into flower now. Hornets are drawn both to its nectar and to the masses of insects its blooms attract, making it another good place to watch.

For all the information you need on how to spot and report a Yellow-legged hornet, head to our website: www.bbka.org.uk/identify-report-asian-hornet

02/09/2026

Our pretty Autumn Flower show is happening on 19th September this year at the Crowhurst Village Hall TN33 9AJ
Doors open 2pm FREE to enter
Raffle - Plant and Apple sale Honey stall and we hope hand massage
Come along and view the show and enjoy our delicious refreshments all afternoon
See you there !
For anyone who would like to enter their flowers/fruit/vegetables Crafts, Photographs, Cookery etc into the show you are so welcome.
For this show we are offering you all to enter for FREE to the show as we know it has been such a tough year for gardening/growing and we want to encourage you all to show what you have managed to achieve. Please take a look at our schedules on our website and see what you could enter
Entries can be entered on line and on or before weds16th Sept
Looking forward to receiving your entries and of seeing you on the day Thank you
Call Alan on 07870525441 with any questions you may have..

01/09/2026

Courses coming up at Mantel Farm :

5 & 6 Sept 2 Day Intensive Beekeeping course
13 Sept Bee Experience
20 Sept Off-grid Solar Shed workshop
26 Sept Bee Keeping Taster Day (Limited places available)
10 & 11 Oct 2 Day Intensive Beekeeping course (SOLD OUT)
17 Oct Chicken Keeping course

https://www.mantelfarm.co.uk/product-category/training-courses-workshops-and-events/

28/08/2026

Our last flock of mixed Hybrids of the year will be available mid September and we are now taking reservations on the website. 😊🐔

23/08/2026

Haynes Chicken and Bee Manuals available in the shop!

21/08/2026

Honey Jars 1lb with gold lids
£ 24.95 – £ 54.95

A tray of 24 or box of 72 (half gross) traditional glass honey jars including gold lids.

Gold lids are also available separately

https://www.mantelfarm.co.uk/store/beekeeping/honey-extraction/honey-jars-traditional-gold-lid-1lb/

20/08/2026

A timely reminder as we head into peak Yellow-legged (Asian) hornet season

We know our members need no introduction to this one but particularly at this time of the year, it's important to stay vigilant. Here is a handy refresher on the key features to look for.

If you do spot a Yellow-legged (Asian) hornet, please report it straight away.

The quickest way is via the free 'Asian Hornet Watch' app which is free to download for iPhone and Android devices.

As ever, thank you for staying vigilant.

Your reports are exactly what keeps them from gaining a foothold.