Fulham Roads Closed after Bees Swarm on Bicycle Basket

---

Safety fears force police to shut junction of Fulham and Fulham Palace Road

 

An earlier example of bees swarming around a motorbike

Police were forced to close off the area around the junction of Fulham Palace Road and Fulham Road today, June 6 after a swarm of around 500 bees landed on the wicker basket of a bike chained to the nearby railings.

There were fears that anyone getting too close to the swarm could be stung and suffer anaphylactic shock.

The site is close to Fulham Palace where there are a number of beehives. A beekeeper was called to the site to manage the situation, while the police saw the funny side.

Sgt Kevin Fagan tweeted @MPSFulReachSgt: " Swarming bees found at junction of Fulham Palace Rd & Fulham Rd. Beekeepers in a "sting" car on route to deal! "

Though it looks dramatic, swarms like these are not uncommon. On May 7 last year, a swarm descended on a delivery bike sitting outside pizza restaurant Basilico about half a mile further east on Fulham Road.

On that occasion, the restaurant asked for help from the British Beekeepers Association, who offer advice on what to do it you have a swarm on their website.

If you would like to know more about bees, their habits and why they swarm, you can join a talk on Bee Keeping at Fulham Palace this Sunday, June 12 from 11am till midday.

Visitors will be able to join volunteer beekeepers for a demonstration and talk about the habits of bees, the life of a hive and how to look after a hive of bees. Learn about how the team at Fulham Palace manage their hives and keep bees thriving to produce delicious honey and beautiful beeswax.

Tickets cost £10, £9 concessions and you can book a place here.

June 6, 2016