MEMBERS of a village gardening club are buzzing after their latest meeting.

Award-winning beekeeper Elaine Robinson was guest speaker at Oxenhope Gardening Club.

She keeps a number of hives at different locations – including in her four-acre garden at Heptonstall, which also features a wildflower meadow and woodland.

Elaine, who has a degree in plant biology, explained the differing roles of bees.

Facts outlined to members included that in its six-week life cycle, the forager bee will produce the equivalent of a twelfth of a teaspoon of honey. And it takes two million flower visits by bees to create just one pound of honey.

A club spokesperson said: "The talk was followed by a honey-tasting session, including a chance to sample the highly-prized heather honey – which is known by connoisseurs as the 'Rolls Royce' of honey.

"Heather honey has a reputation for its great taste and is a powerful antioxidant."

Oxenhope Gardening Club has a varied programme of talks and activities.

It meets on the third Thursday of each month at Oxenhope Community Centre, at 7.30pm.

Non-members are welcome, at a charge of £5, unless it is a members-only event.

For further information about the club, go to oxenhopegardeningclub.co.uk.