Jeremy Clarkson row sparks stinging response from bee experts

Jeremy Clarkson has sparked a stinging new row with the locals in the Cotswolds over the location of his beehives — with the British Bee Keeping Association now weighing in.

Locals have complained they were being stung by his bees as Clarkson keeps his beehives near the public footpath that runs alongside the Diddly Squat farmhouse. The outspoken TV presenter has fired back at the reports on social media.

Now the British Bee Keeping Association (BBKA), which represents 25,000 hobbyist beekeepers, has spoken out on the Clarkson bee-keeping row. They urge beekeepers to avoid sites that “border roads, footpaths and bridleways”.

A spokesperson for the BBKA told Yahoo: “The BBKA is aware of several recent reports of celebrities allegedly using hives of honey bees to deter the public.

“The BBKA has a clear position on setting up apiaries… Any site for bees should be chosen to benefit the welfare of the bee but equally with consideration not to cause nuisance to others.”

The BBKA works to raise standards in beekeeping, as well as understanding the importance of honeybees. Beekeepers should establish “good relations with neighbours, local farmers, land owners and the general public”, the BBKA has said. Its guidelines outline that “the responsible beekeeper will keep normally good-tempered bees and in a position where they are not a nuisance to anyone else.”

Yahoo has reached out to Jeremy Clarkson’s representatives for further comment.

Jeremy Clarkson fires back at complaints

Clarkson addressed the bee-keeping complaints over the weekend. The former Grand Tour presenter defended his decision to keep his beehives near the public footpath because the bees are helping pollinate his regen field. A regen field is usually left untouched to allow wildflowers to grow in between years of farm use.

He wrote on X: “I put some bee hives there because that’s the regen field and there are many things they like to pollinate. And now I’m in trouble because someone might get stung. Who’d be a farmer?” Earlier, he shared his amusement at the reports. Clarkson wrote: “Hilariously, the Mail reports that ramblers are being stung by my bees. Diddums.”

Read more: Jeremy Clarkson hits back over complaints about his Cotswolds farm (Gloucestershire Live, 2-min read)

Complaints about Jeremy Clarkson’s bee-keeping

Over the weekend, residents near Diddly Squat Farm have shared their concerns about the beehives being kept near the public footpath. One complained to The Daily Mail: “I was out with my dog walking past the beehives and got stung on my head. It really hurt and was feeling sore for quite a few days. They are also not at a safe distance from the lane.”

Another said: “I understand that Jeremy doesn’t want fans walking onto his land to try and find him – but it seems a bit dangerous to have so many beehives close to a public lane hidden behind a big hedge.”

Off the back of the complaints, Clarkson’s Farm fan favourite Gerald Cooper had defended the farmer’s decision to keep beehives by the path. He told the newspaper: “If people don’t want to be stung then they should keep away from the lane. People who are from outside the area shouldn’t be up there anyway. It’s the summer, there are a lot of bees flying around and bee stings happen. What’s the fuss?”

Read more: Jeremy Clarkson receives complaints after new addition to his home (Birmingham Live, 2-min read)

Clarkson has never been one to shy away from controversy. His previous rows with the council have taken centre stage of his Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm, in which he also documents life as a farmer – both the triumphs and the failures.

The Bee Keeping Association’s beehive considerations

• “Avoid placing hives near a boundary unless it is solid such as a wall, fence, building or hedge. This will force the bees to gain height quickly if the hive is facing the object.

• “If room is limited enclose the hives on the remaining sides with something dense at least two metres high to make the bees gain height. This could be a wooden panel fence, fine plastic netting or a trellis with quick-growing plants such as honeysuckle.

• “If you only have a small area available, decide the maximum number of hives you will keep at this site and stick to it, but remember that during the summer it is quite common to increase for a number of reasons.

• “The larger the garden the more options you usually have and it may be better to site the bees somewhere like an orchard. If your garden is small or your family and neighbours aren’t keen on having bees near them there is no point in confrontation and you would be best advised to look for a site elsewhere.”

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