Bees swarm to new biz start-up hive

A swarm of bees 'resting' on a Winchester building caused a buzz in the city centre.

The front wall of the aptly-named IncuHive Space in Staple Gardens was first covered by a large group at around noon on Tuesday.

Staff were told to "sit tight" and wait for the bees to leave on their own, but chief operating officer, George Scott-Welsh told the Chronicle he had no problem with the swarm being there.

He said: "It's got people talking about us, and of course, we are bee-themed and sell ourselves as a 'hive' so I say it's good marketing.

"I just wish I could say I'd pay to bring the bees here, that would've scored me some brownie points!"

The city council told residents to keep their windows closed and not to disturb the swarm.

Watch manager Kev Robson said a fire crew helped a bee keeper remove the estimated 15,000-swarm for relocation in the countryside.

IncuHive have offices across Hampshire in Chandlers Ford, New Milton and Basingstoke.

The Winchester branch opened towards the end of last month, and offers a business incubation and co-working centre for local companies.

"When we opened we had a girl in a giant bee costume. I'm blaming her for attracting them, 100 per cent!" said George."

(Hampshire Chronicle, 16 May 2019)

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Guinea pig treated after house fire

A guinea pig was given oxygen treatment after a fire in Lancaster. 

Two fire engines were called out to a property in Whitbarrow Square at 12.29am on Tuesday. 

A spokesman from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters used two breathing apparatus and one hose reel to extinguish the fire and make the scene safe.

"Oxygen therapy was administered to a guinea pig."

(Lancaster Guardian, April 2019)

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Gail the guinea pig nearly choked on the newspaper she was nibbling. Spitting it out she called to her companion who was dozing in the corner of their hutch.

‘Gary! You won’t believe this!’

Gary opened one eye, and then the other. Sighing, he asked,

‘What now, Gail?’

‘Come over here, come and look!’

Wearily he shuffled across the sawdust and shredded paper to join Gail by a largish scrap of newspaper. She tapped it with her paw.

‘Just came across this. Read what it says.’

Gary scanned the article, muttering the occasional word aloud. ‘Guinea pig…oxygen…fire…therapy.’ Finishing the article he looked quizzically at her. ‘It seems fair enough to me, Gail. I know they say journalists twist things but this is all very factual. You were given oxygen therapy for the smoke inhalation. I was very concerned. The rest all seems accurate: time, place and so on.’

Gail blinked several times and quivered all over.

‘What seems to have escaped you, Gary, is that although the facts they’ve included are perfectly accurate, they’ve missed out a vital piece of information.’

Gary looked again at the article, then back at Gail. ‘What’s that?’

Nodding toward the tiny uniform hanging up on the wall, she squeaked, ‘They could have mentioned I was one of the bloody firefighters!’