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Honey Stores |
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NEW!
Some
images have come to light showing Mr Bate
at work removing a swarm of bees in the
village - click
HERE
to view them |
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In the early 50s one of the main
businesses being conducted, right in the
heart of the village, was that of Mr.
Bate's Honey Stores. His place of
business was a long stone building, once
the stables belonging to the Rectory.
This business he carried on for over 45
years, producing many gallons of fine
honey and mead. Recently, a small
home-produced booklet came to light,
outlining a brief history of Bate's
Honey and it is with thanks to the late
Mr. Bate's family that it is reproduced
here: |
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THE STORY OF BATES HONEY |
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HOW
IT BEGAN
As a keen
naturalist during his early boyhood
days, Mr. Gordon Bate spent many hours
listening to the hum of the large Bumble
and Native Honey Bees foraging for
Pollen and Nectar in the huge Sycamore
Trees which surrounded his birthplace in
Cornwall. This aroused his curiosity
immensely and, whilst still at school,
his Father purchased a hive of Bees, and
later in the early 1930’s he became
established as a beekeeper. As those
early years developed so the Bees
increased in numbers and the story of
Bate’s Honey began.
WHERE IT IS PRODUCED
The delicious honey is gathered by
British bees from numerous apiaries
situated in valleys, orchards and
wood1ands lying within approximately a
25-mile radius of the little village,
which dates back as far as the early
Saxon times, known as Week St. Mary, in
the Southwest of England and on the
borders of Devon and Cornwall, separated
by the glorious Tamar Valley with its
waters flowing into Plymouth Sound.
CLOVER AND FLOWER HONEY – ALL ABOUT IT
Far from any industrial towns, this area
provides a perfect environment for the
Bees to produce a delicious soft, light
coloured, creamy honey, which is ideally
palatable for everyone, and for which
England is famous.
Because our
Climate is so unpredictable, quantities
of this honey is often limited, and only
the largest beekeepers are able to
maintain a steady supply. The unique
flavour of our West Country honey
gathered by our hard-working honey bees
is due to the English climate varying so
considerably from day to day. The bees
are often forced to find new sources of
flora which yields nectar at lower
temperatures, and having derived from
such a variety of flowers, our honey has
a distinct appreciable flavour.
Often the
bees fly many miles a day before finding
a rich source of nectar and even though
strong breezes from the Atlantic may
prevail, they are tough and do not
retire to their hives until many loads
of nectar have been safely gathered.
The honey
is then removed from the hives and
extracted from its pearly white combs
using the latest modern equipment. It is
then carefully stored in bulk, until we
are ready to bottle it for your table
use.
THE
HEATHER SEASON
In
either direction, on yonder hills, the
moorland landscapes can be seen. To the
East, lies the Devonshire highlands of
Dartmoor, and to the South-East, the
Cornish Bodmin Moors.
It is in
these areas that the rich Ling Heather
thrives, providing a magnificent purple
carpet covering many thousands of acres
of hills and deep Valleys, flowing with
crystal clear waters. In early August
our hives are transported to these
moors, packed with vigorous bees, and
between the morning and evening mist
some very delicious nectar is gathered.
This honey
has such a high density that it is not
possible to extract it from the comb
direct, as other honeys, but the quality
and richness of flavour of the heather
nectar gathered from these South Western
Hills, more than compensates the bees
for the extra work involved. On some
days the bees are only able to forage
for a few hours.
To conclude
- Bates English Honey has a freshness,
purity and flavour often unmatched by
any other. It soon stabilises after
bott1ing and can be made clear by gently
warming whether you buy it Set or Clear
according to your taste, it is still the
same honey.
ITS
VALUE AND USES
Once honey is eaten it releases an
immediate supply of energy. It is an
invaluable food for those doing tiring
work. It will aid and soothe digestive
troubles. Athletes eat it before their
races. Children love it, and it gives
much pleasure and satisfaction to older
people as well. It is said that babies
grow better when fed with honey instead
of sugar.
There are
many recipes in which honey can be used
where sweetening is required, and we
feel sure that Bates honey will satisfy
and fulfil all your future requirements.
YOU
DESERVE THE BEST WHY NOT GET IT
Produced and Packed by:- G. Bate, Week
St. Mary, Holsworthy, Devon. |
Cornish & Devon Honey - Mr Bate had
beehives in both counties |
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• The
British Beekeepers Association
BBKA |
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