The Bee Farmer - also known as Ashby-based David McDowell - has released a video illustrating his beekeeping scheme for schools.

David runs the 'School for Bees' which helps local students understand where their honey comes from.

The Bee Farmer produces honey products which are sold at oulets in Ashby and areas and North West Leicestershire.

His latest YouTube video has been provided by the Dixie School in Market Bosworth and shows their recent visit to David's hives.

Alongside the video, David says: "I run a beekeeping scheme for schools. It's called School for Bees.

"The students of one particular school surprised me with this video.

"Together with other students, they created the video and then presented it at a school assembly.

"School for Bees is not really about learning to keep honeybees, it is much wider than that.



"Students all have different interests and abilities. During the scheme we discover what makes honeybees different to other insects; their lifecycle, what they need from the environment and how we might help or hinder them.

"We build a hive from a kit. Hand skills and co-ordination along with spatial awareness and teamwork come into play.

"We visit the hive to see the bees up close. Later in the year, I harvest the honey, but the students extract and jar it.

"In these sessions, we learn about food hygiene, processing and teamwork and why it is important.

"Then the jarring session talks about the importance of weights and measures, more processing and marketing.

"The label has to project a message. It's always an interesting discussion about how much the honey should be sold for.

"I am pleased to say that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well."