On June 13th 2009, a swarm of honey bees (pictured) was discovered by Tony Murrills, Association Membership Secretary and plot holder at Woodside Avenue Allotments.  The swarm was clinging onto a support pole for cultivated blackberries.  Honey bees are generally a welcome sight for the allotment gardener on account of their valuable assistance in pollinating many flowering crops.  Bee-keeping enthusiast and plot holder at the Chestnut Avenue allotments, Mr Douglas Lumley, was soon on hand to collect and re-house the bees.  Also a member of the Southampton and District Beekeepers  Association, Mr Lumley said that the queen bee would have left pheromones on the support pole which can last for as long as 20 years.  This is often why swarms are seen in the same place year after year.  Mr Lumley subsequently reported back that the relocated swarm had settled well in its new hive and was busy building comb for the eggs that the successfully mated queen was laying.  The Southampton Beekeepers Association has a swarm co-ordinator and team of volunteers to collect and re-house honey bee swarms whenever possible.  A nominal charge is made to cover the collector's expenses.  The swarm co-ordinator can be contacted on 07989 920609 or at swarms@southamptonbeekeepers.co.uk and further information is available on the Association's web-site at http://www.southamptonbeekeepers.co.uk/index_files/swarms.htm