Esther and Tom get to make their candles after all, with varying success, with Tom treating us to a musical number to celebrate the season. Happy Christmas listeners! Queen Bees is a Hat Trick Podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Esther thinks she's making candles with Tom tonight until she gets a surprise call - could we have a reunion on our hands? Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast Follow us @queenbeespod for updates from the show on instagram See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Esther has a fascinating chat this week with Katharine O'Brien, founder of Bee Potion who are an ethical, all-natural skincare and wellbeing company that has sustainability, education and ecology at the heart of the business. She talks about becoming a bee-keeper, the social enterprise nature of her business, and we also meet Honey, her aptly named rescue dog! Queen Bees is a Hat Trick Podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Esther's asked Tom if she can practice her quizmaster skills on him, and as a bribe, she's brought some more mead for him! Test your bee knowledge on these questions and maybe learn a few things in the process. Thanks to Bees for Development for letting us use their questions. If you'd like to donate to Bees for Development and find out about their work, please visit www.beesfordevelopment.org Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast See acast.com/privacy for...

Jane's still off filming in her ambulance so Esther's putting her time to good use by welcoming the lovely Paula Carnell back to show her how to make traditional woven skep! If you're interested in learning how to make a skep follow Paula on instagram @paula.carnell or visit her website www.paulacarnell.com for details of her courses and skep making supplies. Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tom finally makes it centre stage this week as he and Esther talk all things mead - a fermented honey drink dating back centuries. Tom and Esther's efforts may not be supremely drinkable but as ever they make the best of it and there's a whole host of interesting facts along the way - as well the story of how these two have stuck together for 25 years - they must be doing something right! Queen Bees is a Hat Trick Podcast Follow us on instagram @queenbeespod for updates from the hive   See...

There's something for everyone this week as Esther sets out to the National Honey Show. Honey producers and bee keepers alike flock to this show to show off their produce as well as catch up on all the latest honey, bee and pollinator news. Esther went on a fact finding mission meeting old friends and new and finding out all about all manner of bee related topics - stick on a brew and get your ears round this bumper episode! Unfortunately Jane's still off filming Bloods, but was very jealous...

Esther's flying solo this week while Jane's away to interview the fabulous Rachel de Thample - who is in charge of fermentation and bees at River Cottage. Hear all about how to make your own sauerkraut, the Bees at River Cottage and how Esther rates husband Tom's mead! For more on Rachel follow her at @dethample and River Cottage @rivercottagehq to find out more about her fermentation courses. Queen Bees is a Hat Trick podcast - follow us @queenbeespod on instagram for more pictures from...

Hurray for Series 5! This week the girls are joined by Nicola Bradbear from Bees for Development - helping train up future beekeepers in developing countries to start their own sustainable honey production. It's a fascinating ep and Nicola is such a brilliant, inspiring guest - Jane and Esther loved it. For more about Bees for Development and how you can support and find out more, go to https://www.beesfordevelopment.org Follow us on instagram @queenbeespod for more pictures from the pod...

On the allotment, in their very own version of Breaking Bad, Jane and Esther attempt to become propolis tincture manufacturers on a grand scale. Their maths may not be up to the task, but Esther's homemade burritos and apple cake will lessen the pain of disappointment. Finally the girls end the season, to Jane's joy, sampling Esther's summer honey. Delicious. Follow us for updates on the hive and the girls @queenbeespod Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick...

In need of a boost after their battles with Covid, the girls invite founder of Unbeelievable Health, Sarah Orecchia to the show this week, who talks to the girls about the health benefits of propolis, royal jelly and pollen and how she too has become a honey addict. Find out more about Unbeelievable Health on instagram @unbeelievablehealth Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Esther updates Jane on everything that's been going on both at the hive in her garden and on the allotment - with some unexpectedly good news! And the title of this episode? You'll have to listen to find out!   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Poor Esther's isolating and while she provides an update on the bees in her garden, the girls also reminisce about far flung trips. If you like a gossip and a giggle this is definitely the episode for you! Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast Follow us on instagram @queenbeespod for more pictures and videos from the hives.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Esther tells Jane all about her big field trip to Basingstoke to find a drone congregation area (DCA). Her guide for the day was Stephen Fleming (Co-editor of BeeCraft Magazine) and along the way Esther also found out some fascinating facts about bee keeping history but also visited some wonderful fields of lavender - a dream day out indeed. Packed full of facts and fun, and also a cheeky trip to the pub! Thanks to Stephen Fleming and www.bee-craft.com Queen Bees is a Hat Trick Podcast...

Need a giggle? In this episode, as Jane forgets her headphones, the girls are on zoom and have devised a foolproof system to show who's talking when - what could go wrong! Bee stories aplenty and news from both the hives on the allotment and the suprisingly active elderly bees in Esther's back garden. Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast Follow us on instagram @queenbeespod for images and videos from the hive and the records   See acast.com/privacy for...

This episode after an audio disaster, we salvaged a brilliant interview with fabulous Liz Knight - Queen of Forage - and all round fantastic person. Esther gamely stepped in to re-record questions to guide us through the interview, as Jane has been under the weather this week with the dreaded lurgy. Jane and Esther will be back together next week. You can find more about Liz at www.foragefinefoods.com and do seek out her brilliant book FORAGE with illustrations by Rachel...

Alison Benjamin from Urban Bees takes the girls on a bee safari around Esther's allotment in this episode. Amongst the beautiful flowers, the girls spot Bumbles, Carder Bees and the teeny Scissor Bees. Head to our instagram @queenbeespod to see Alison's bee spotters guide and pictures from the record and tag us with your bee pictures from your plot! Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jane's wish has come true - the honey's in! Join Jane and Esther for an afternoon spinning the frames, with some helpers, to collect the spring harvest. Do be warned, you'll feel sticky even listening to this episode... More pictures of the fun on instagram @queenbeespod Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ladies are back! Kicking off with a chat about the hordes of bumble bees in Jane's garden, Esther has also got news on incoming honey and an update on the hives. Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Production. Follow us on instagram @queenbeespod   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last episode of the current series as the girls catch up about the latest goings on at the hives with Esther's defensive colony The Mancs off on a jolly holiday. As ever, honest stories about the highs and lows of beekeeping and plenty of giggles along the way. Follow us on instagram @queenbeespod Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Join the girls for a late night record this week as they sup a cocktail and catch up on the latest drama from the hives. Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast Follow us on Instagram @queenbeespod   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Streaker bees, why you should keep a diary for posterity and how the bees can predict the weather in this ep as Stephen Fleming, co-editor of Beecraft magazine joins the girls down the line. A brilliant expert and a fab guest. Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast Follow us on instagram @queenbeespod   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Esther and Jane are joined this week by Brian McCallum from Urban Bees - Esther's beekeeping mentor and former bee inspector. He's come to the hives to see what's up with the Italians and if the Buckfasts are managing to keep the varroa at bay. For more on Urban Bees visit www.urbanbees.co.uk Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast Visit us on instagram @queenbeespod   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Esther gives positive updates to Jane about the Buckfasts, while the prognosis is still looking a bit shaky for the Italians. There's also a lot of plant chat this week, Race you to the garden centre? Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick Podcast   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jane's been spring cleaning her windows and Esther's made a quick trip to see what's what at the hive. There's mixed news, but as ever, there's a positive plan to get on with things and a bit of laughter therapy to end the show. For more information on the Brighton Festival mentioned in this week's show please visit https://brightonfestival.org/   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.