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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 1930s
he became established as a beekeeper. As those early years developed
so the Bees increased in numbers and the story of Bates 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.
The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) |
