It was in 2014, that the seed was sown, laying the foundation for what would blossom into The Noble Bee. While the business officially took flight in 2020, Simon had been nurturing its roots since his early days of beekeeping as a hobby. Simon's journey into beekeeping started when he stumbled upon a fallen beech tree in a nearby woodland following a storm in January 2014. Within the hollow of that tree resided a thriving wild colony of bees, sparking the beginning of his remarkable journey. From this serendipitous encounter, the story of The Noble Bee unfolded and although Simon started beekeeping in 2014, he also has fond childhood memories of helping harvest the honey from his Dads bees. You could say it was written in the stars, or simply; ‘meant to bee’
Beekeeping at Furzedown Farm...
Caring for the bees, is at the heart of everything we do. We consider looking after the bees to be a responsibility and we do so in a way that is harmonious with the natural behaviour of the bees. We only take honey that is excess to the bees needs, and make sure they have more than enough honey stored in the hive to see them through the longest of winters. Each hive is treated with special attention and care.
Beekeeping has been a part of the Noble family for three generations...
Fred Noble [pictured] was a keen hobby beekeeper for many years. He kept ten beehives in an apiary just a stones throw from Furzedown Farm. He taught son; Deryk the craft, who later on inherited the hives which he relocated over the road into Furzedown Farm Conservation Area.
Deryk was a beekeeper for many years and sold the honey that the bees made in the Farm shop. Unfortunately Deryk became allergic to bee stings in the 1980's and consequently was advised by his doctor to give up beekeeping, however he left three hives in a secluded apiary in the woods and left the bees too it.
Deryk ‘running' a swarm of bees into a hive.
Simon Noble.
Introducing Chloe Harvey. Chloe is currently in the third and final year of her apprenticeship with The Noble Bee. The Scheme is a collaboration between The Beefarmers Association, Rowes Honey and The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers. The apprenticeship is carried out over 3 years after which Chloe will be awarded a Diploma of Excellence in Beekeeping. We are very happy to have Chloe join the team.
Knocking up a beehive. Tom Noble, Deryk Noble and Simon Noble.
some years later, in 2014 Deryk's son, Simon, started up beekeeping, after finding a storm damaged beech tree that contained a wild bee colony. Simon, contacted the New Forest Beekeepers Association who sent out an experienced beekeeper [Jan Roper] to rescue the colony. Simon found it fascinating and consequently enrolled on a beekeeping for beginners course that spring. He took over the old hives that had been left by Deryk 24 years before. The bees needed to be put into new hives of course, but were still thriving, and having been left alone for so long, had adapted well to the local conditions.
Today Simon has made a growing business from beekeeping. He currently looks after 70 hives, some of which are kept in the woodland here and others are kept in specially chosen apiaries around the New Forest National Park.
By special arrangement with the Forestry Commission, The Noble Bee also take their hives out on to the heath land during the month of August for the mass flowering of the heather where the bees produce beautiful New Forest heather honey. Heather honey is considered to be one of the finest honeys available in England if not the world.
Deryk with a nice swarm of bees.
