Oxford Oriel College chapel choir welcomes new bees

The musical welcome took place at Bartlemas Sports Ground, where members of Oriel College’s chapel choir performed a unique madrigal.

It was held on Saturday, May 2, and included a performance of Melissomelos, a 17th-century piece by Charles Butler – often known as the ‘Father of English Beekeeping’ – that imitates the hum of bees.

The apiary, managed by the Oxford Beekeeping Society, was founded in 2025 by history doctoral student Spencer Drake.

Mr Drake said: “It was the bee’s knees to help celebrate Oriel’s 700th anniversary at the apiary this Saturday.”

He also highlighted the support from the college.

Adding: “All of the generous funding we’ve received towards kickstarting the apiary has been made available thanks to Oriel’s 700th, and in return we’ll be supplying bountiful pots of fresh honey for the college’s summer anniversary party.”

The beehives were funded by Oriel College as part of its 700th-anniversary celebrations.

During the inauguration, Mr Drake delivered a speech in a homemade, 16th-century-style beekeeping suit.

He spoke about the endangerment of wild bees, climate change, destruction of wildlands and use of pesticides, and called for greater appreciation and stewardship of the natural world.

Guests were invited to visit the hives and enjoy honey cake and mead as part of the day’s festivities.

Maggie Jones, treasurer at Oriel College, said: “It’s wonderful to be a part of reviving Oxford’s beekeeping heritage.”