Two out of the three established colonies in my roof top apiary are big and vigorous. Meanwhile Hive B has stayed small since it was caught as a swarm a year ago. Why?

I've been told that some colonies are smaller than others. The bees like it that way. I'm willing to trust the bees to right-size their colony but I'd like to understand what causes the differences. I wonder whether Varroa and its diseases might be an explanation.

Our bee group was alerted to a swarm in Golden Cross square right in the heart of Oxford yesterday. The swarm had mustered under an umbrella at eye level. We scrambled to find somebody to collect but someone from outside our group attended before we could get organised.

There are 2 Freedom Hives in the grounds of Headington Hill Hall. One is on a tripod next to the garden; the other is in a small section of woodland. Both are now occupied. I don't know whether the colonies found the hives on their own or were brought there.

The Freedom Hive mimics a log hive. It is a perpetual hive without frames. Human access is through the base but there is limited scope to intervene. In the event of them contracting a serious (notifiable) disease the colony would have to be destroyed. In all other situations they will just be left alone.