Podcasts by Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles

Witchcraft, Singing and M-mmmead (with Chris Park) from 2023-11-10T08:35:47

Chris Park - Druid, traditional beekeeper, storyteller, brewer and all round Iron-age man, joins the Queens around Esther's dinner table. It's a session of mead drinking, ritual celebrations for...

Precious Honey from 2023-10-27T10:06:59

Jane and Esther meet the founders of new honey company Australian Rare, Natalie Bussau and Rick Bains, to talk about their very special honey from Western Australia. Rigorously tested, their hon...

Catch up with the Queens from 2023-10-20T10:15:58

A homemade lunch for Jane from Esther and a catch up with the bees in Esther's garden hives. Esther also shares a cache of old letters she's found in her shed.

Keep up with the Queens...

A Summer Garden Party (bonus episode) from 2023-06-16T14:10:29

Hello Bee-lovers! Here's a mini episode to celebrate Bees For Development recorded at their annual garden party.

For more about Bees for Development listen to our episode with Nicola Brad...

Christmas with Paul Tonkinson from 2022-12-16T18:00:43

Join Esther for a christmassy last episode of the series as she welcomes friend Paul Tonkinson - writer, comedian and host of podcast 'Running Commentary' to make candles, gingerbread and have a...

Anabel Kindersley from Neal's Yard from 2022-12-02T16:49:24

Esther's delighted to have a chat this week with Anabel Kindersley co-owner of natural and organic health and beauty brand Neal's Yard Remedies, talking about sustainable business, her love of n...

Honey Down Under (with Anna Carrucan) from 2022-11-25T09:56:51

Anna Carrucan, botanist, second generation bee-keeper and owner of the BUUKAAR WAARUUNG Boutique Apiary and Artisan Honey company in Australia joins Esther down the line - time zones aligned! - ...

Bee News with Paula Carnell from 2022-11-11T11:35:48

Join Esther and friend of the pod Paula Carnell, Head Beekeeper at The Newt in Somerset, Global bee consultant and honey sommelier as they talk about what the unseasonal weather is doing to their b...

A Million Herbs with Rochenda Sandall from 2022-11-04T13:05:46

Esther's lovely pal actress Rochenda Sandall comes over for a great chat about all things herbal, both for cookery and medicinal purposes. There may even be herby biscuit up for grabs...

Pickled Chillis with Tom from 2022-10-28T13:30:39

Esther and Tom are pickling home grown chillis this week. Tom's done his research on chilli facts and has also prepared a 'special' cocktail for Esther to celebrate the event.

Queen B...

LUSH life (with Mark and Simon Constantine) from 2022-10-21T13:30:33

Jane and Esther are joined by the founder of LUSH Mark Constantine and his son Simon Constantine, one time subject of his dad's cosmetic testing and now running the fabulous Carey's Secret Garde...

Kombucha and Robber Bees from 2022-10-14T11:17:56

Time for a good old catch up this week. Esther's been making kombucha with her own scoby starter, and talk turns to fungi and ferments.

Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles i...

Being A Positive Nuisance (with Robin Maynard) from 2022-10-07T13:36:54

Robin Maynard started his career researching the effects of the Chernobyl disaster on the UK for Friends of the Earth and is renowned as an activist and campaigner - always for more sustainable ...

The Fabulous Arthur Parkinson from 2022-09-30T11:46:35

**NEW SEASON** Esther and Jane are back! Joined this week by expert flower arranger and chicken saviour Arthur Parkinson. After chat and lunch at Esther's, the gang take a stroll to the allotmen...

From Brad Pitt to Prince William from 2022-07-29T07:38:48

Esther's longtime friend actress Indra Ove joins the show this week while Jane's off on an acting job. The girls are on a mission to collect some honey from the hives to take to Indra's cast mat...

Ecky Thump! from 2022-07-15T08:00:12

Where to stick your icepacks to keep cool in the heat... how everything's crisping up at the allotment... what is constellation therapy... and a chat about why our wild fenland is so important. ...

Back To The Bees from 2022-07-01T08:00:06

We're back to the allotment this week as Esther's had a swarm to contend with - but there's northern vowel chat and silliness as usual, get stuck in!

Queen Bees is a Hat Trick Podcast<...

Anyone For A Paddle? from 2022-06-24T08:00:08

Esther's off to visit Jane in Brighton where she gets a tour round her bee-friendly communal gardens, Jane cooks her delicious lunch and then they're off to the beach!

Queen Bees with ...

Ice Cream Van Wars from 2022-06-17T08:00:21

Esther's back at Arabella Weir's to see how her veg are doing, but will cost per potato be worth it in the end?

Hear about Esther's not-to-be-replicated childhood bad habits and Arabella b...

Keeping The Lawnmower (just in case) from 2022-06-10T08:00:38

Esther's been stuck at home this week so Jane gives her a call to cheer her up. Along the way there's a catch up from Chelsea, scattering ashes, what the bees have been up to and of course, why ...

Let Me Just Finish This Mouthful from 2022-06-03T07:00:17

Jane's round Esther's to check out her vertical planting solutions and her new garden bees, but first of all (and most importantly) lunch!

Queen Bees is a Hat Trick Podcast

Follo...

Singing with Len from 2022-05-27T08:00:52

Jane's having a clear out so has brought Esther some pre-loved housewares, which leads to a discussion on why we're all hoarders at heart. Meanwhile Len, Esther's new dog has decided he wants to...

Planting with Arabella Weir from 2022-05-20T08:14:56

Jane's off filming so friend of the show Arabella Weir asks Esther over to help her plant her veggies for the season.

Queen Bees is a Hat Trick Podcast

Follow us @queenbeespod o...

Off To The Allotment from 2022-05-13T07:11:11

*NEW SEASON* We're kicking off the new season talking about growing your own whether you have an allotment, a window box or a window sill. There'll be planting, emotional chats, impressions of l...

Santa and his Saw from 2021-12-24T09:00:07

Esther and Tom get to make their candles after all, with varying success, with Tom treating us to a musical number to celebrate the season. Happy Christmas listeners!

Queen Bees is a H...

Two Queens In A Pod from 2021-12-17T09:00:25

Esther thinks she's making candles with Tom tonight until she gets a surprise call - could we have a reunion on our hands?

Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick...

Bee Potion (with Katharine O'Brien) from 2021-12-10T08:00

Esther has a fascinating chat this week with Katharine O'Brien, founder of Bee Potion who are an ethical, all-natural skincare and wellbeing company that has sustainability, education and ecolog...

Bee Quiz with Tom from 2021-12-03T09:00

Esther's asked Tom if she can practice her quizmaster skills on him, and as a bribe, she's brought some more mead for him!

Test your bee knowledge on these questions and maybe learn a few ...

S5 Ep. 5 Skep making (with Paula Carnell) from 2021-11-26T06:00

Jane's still off filming in her ambulance so Esther's putting her time to good use by welcoming the lovely Paula Carnell back to show her how to make traditional woven skep!

If you're ...

Skep making (with Paula Carnell) from 2021-11-26T06:00

Jane's still off filming in her ambulance so Esther's putting her time to good use by welcoming the lovely Paula Carnell back to show her how to make traditional woven skep!

If you're ...

Mead with Tom from 2021-11-05T07:00

Tom finally makes it centre stage this week as he and Esther talk all things mead - a fermented honey drink dating back centuries. Tom and Esther's efforts may not be supremely drinkable but as ...

The Honey Show from 2021-10-29T08:00

There's something for everyone this week as Esther sets out to the National Honey Show.

Honey producers and bee keepers alike flock to this show to show off their produce as well as catch ...

Pickles, Honey and Mead (with Rachel de Thample) from 2021-10-22T06:00

Esther's flying solo this week while Jane's away to interview the fabulous Rachel de Thample - who is in charge of fermentation and bees at River Cottage.

Hear all about how to make your o...

A Spoonful of Honey (with Nicola Bradbear) from 2021-10-15T06:00

Hurray for Series 5! This week the girls are joined by Nicola Bradbear from Bees for Development - helping train up future beekeepers in developing countries to start their own sustainable honey...

S4 Ep. 10 Propolis and Burritos from 2021-09-10T06:00

On the allotment, in their very own version of Breaking Bad, Jane and Esther attempt to become propolis tincture manufacturers on a grand scale. Their maths may not be up to the task, but Esther...

S4 Ep. 9 Unbeelievable with Sarah Orecchia from 2021-09-03T06:03

In need of a boost after their battles with Covid, the girls invite founder of Unbeelievable Health, Sarah Orecchia to the show this week, who talks to the girls about the health benefits of pro...

S4 Ep. 8 Naked Beekeeping from 2021-08-27T07:04:26

Esther updates Jane on everything that's been going on both at the hive in her garden and on the allotment - with some unexpectedly good news! And the title of this episode? You'll have to listen t...

S4 Ep. 7 The Queens in Los Angeles from 2021-08-06T06:02

Poor Esther's isolating and while she provides an update on the bees in her garden, the girls also reminisce about far flung trips. If you like a gossip and a giggle this is definitely the episo...

S4 Ep. 6 The Big Bee Field Trip (with Stephen Fleming) from 2021-07-30T10:17:40

Esther tells Jane all about her big field trip to Basingstoke to find a drone congregation area (DCA). Her guide for the day was Stephen Fleming (Co-editor of BeeCraft Magazine) and along the wa...

S4 Ep. 5 Bike Cold Turkey from 2021-07-23T06:02

Need a giggle? In this episode, as Jane forgets her headphones, the girls are on zoom and have devised a foolproof system to show who's talking when - what could go wrong! Bee stories aplenty an...

S4 Ep. 4 Magic Forage with Liz Knight from 2021-07-16T06:00

This episode after an audio disaster, we salvaged a brilliant interview with fabulous Liz Knight - Queen of Forage - and all round fantastic person. Esther gamely stepped in to re-record questio...

S4 Ep. 3 Bee Safari! from 2021-07-09T06:00

Alison Benjamin from Urban Bees takes the girls on a bee safari around Esther's allotment in this episode. Amongst the beautiful flowers, the girls spot Bumbles, Carder Bees and the teeny Scisso...

S4 Ep. 2 Honey Spinning with the Queens from 2021-07-02T06:00

Jane's wish has come true - the honey's in! Join Jane and Esther for an afternoon spinning the frames, with some helpers, to collect the spring harvest. Do be warned, you'll feel sticky even lis...

S4 Ep. 1 Bumbly Bees from 2021-06-25T06:00

The ladies are back! Kicking off with a chat about the hordes of bumble bees in Jane's garden, Esther has also got news on incoming honey and an update on the hives.

Queen Bees with Ja...

S3 Ep.10 Borstal Bees from 2021-05-21T06:00

Last episode of the current series as the girls catch up about the latest goings on at the hives with Esther's defensive colony The Mancs off on a jolly holiday. As ever, honest stories about th...

S3 Ep. 9 Cocktail Hour! from 2021-05-14T06:00

Join the girls for a late night record this week as they sup a cocktail and catch up on the latest drama from the hives.

Queen Bees with Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles is a Hat Trick ...

S3 Ep. 8 Streaker Bees! from 2021-05-07T06:03

Streaker bees, why you should keep a diary for posterity and how the bees can predict the weather in this ep as Stephen Fleming, co-editor of Beecraft magazine joins the girls down the line. A b...

S3 Ep. 7 Buzzing with the Drones from 2021-04-30T06:00

Esther and Jane are joined this week by Brian McCallum from Urban Bees - Esther's beekeeping mentor and former bee inspector. He's come to the hives to see what's up with the Italians and if the...

S3 Ep. 6 Bonny Bees from 2021-04-23T06:03

Esther gives positive updates to Jane about the Buckfasts, while the prognosis is still looking a bit shaky for the Italians. There's also a lot of plant chat this week, Race you to the garden c...

S3 Ep. 5 Laughter Therapy from 2021-04-16T06:02

Jane's been spring cleaning her windows and Esther's made a quick trip to see what's what at the hive.

There's mixed news, but as ever, there's a positive plan to get on with things and a...

S3 Ep. 4 Moving The Swarm from 2021-04-09T06:00

Hurrah - Jane and Esther are together again at the plot! While Esther wants to move the Buckfast swarm of last year from their small premises to a bigger hive, Jane's marvelling at just how much...

S3 Ep. 3 Trees'n'Bees from 2021-04-02T06:02

After Esther has a quick look into the hives, the girls are joined by tree surgeon Rick Meldon who talks about the importance of eco piles for insects and also his experiences encountering bees ...

S3 Ep. 2 Spoons At The Ready! from 2021-03-26T07:02

Jane and Esther have been let out!

Esther readies her teaspoon and Jane her dessert spoon to taste dark, complex, real honey with honey sommelier Sarah Wyndham Lewis at Bermondsey Street B...

S3 Ep. 1 Lotions and Potions from 2021-03-19T07:00

As it's still a bit cold to disturb the bees, Esther's sent a selection of beeswax beauty products to Jane so they can try them out and see what they think. But there's still time to talk p...

S2 Ep. 10 Esther's Bonnet (feat. Paula Carnell) from 2021-02-05T07:02

It's a bumper episode to round out series 2. Not only are Jane and Esther tasting single flower honey, but they're also chatting to bee expert and honey sommelier Paula Carnell.

Luckil...

S2 Ep.9 Jools Holland from 2021-01-29T07:02

The brilliant Jools Holland - composer, pianist, bandleader and broadcaster - joins the pod today, armed with bee facts and ready for Esther's bee music quiz! 

Queen Bees with Jan...

S2 Ep 8. Vin and Omi from 2021-01-22T07:02

Jane invites pioneering sustainable fashion designers Vin and Omi onto the pod this week. Having designed key outfits for her character 'Bubble' In Absolutely Fabulous, the boys talk about their...

S2 Ep. 7 Alan Titchmarsh from 2021-01-08T07:02

Jane and Esther are delighted to welcome Alan Titchmarsh to the pod this week. Gardening tips, bee facts and even a Victoria Wood quote - if ever there was a show to bring a bit of joy to y...

Happy New Year from 2021-01-01T07:04

Happy New Year from the Queen Bees - Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles!

Hosted on Acast. See

Mince pies and mulled wine may have been harmed in the maki...

S2 Ep. 5 Vic Reeves from 2020-12-18T07:03

The brilliant Vic Reeves (aka Jim Moir) joins Esther and Jane down the line to talk all things bees, birds and why everyone should try a bit of cheese with their Christmas cake this year.

S2 Ep. 4 Fireside Chat from 2020-12-11T07:00

Pull up to the fire at Esther's and listen to the girls chat about whether it's best to turn up the heating or stick another jumper on...as well as what mushrooms Esther's been picking and how the ...

S2 Ep. 3 Honey Tasting from 2020-12-04T07:02

Time for a tasting! Esther and Jane take delivery of a selection of honey from around the UK, and with tea and toast at the ready, work their way through. Meanwhile Jane updates Esther on her re...

S2 Ep. 2 Arabella Weir from 2020-11-27T07:02

With Jane off filming this week, Esther asked actress and comedian Arabella Weir to come over and help out with a spot of DIY; cleaning brood boxes and making new frames for next season.

S2 Ep. 1 Paul Whitehouse from 2020-11-20T07:03

Esther and Jane were delighted to welcome longtime friend Paul Whitehouse to the allotment at the end of the summer to meet the bees and have a lovely catch up.

Queen Bees with Jane Ho...

Season 2 Trailer from 2020-11-06T07:03

Season 2 of Queen Bees starts Friday 20th November 2020. Join Jane Horrocks and Esther Coles and a raft of special guests as they talk all things bees!

Follow Queen Bees on Instagram @...

Ep 10. Tea Party from 2020-10-30T07:03

Jane finally gets to visit the hive, and even though Esther's forgotten her own suit and brought Jane more of a child's sized one, when they're both suitably dressed, Esther can now show Jane wh...

Ep 9. Bee Music from 2020-10-23T06:03

Esther's friend, award winning artist Wolfgang Buttress, joins the show today with his colleague Martin Bencsik; Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University, and keen beekeeper himself. W...

Ep 8. Swarm! from 2020-10-16T06:03

Esther reports back from another drama filled hive visit this week. Otherwise It’s an art special as both Jane and Esther share their experience of sitting for portraits. Lastly, ...

Ep. 7 The Laid Back Episode from 2020-10-09T06:03

The ladies are joined this week by special guest Peter Curran; documentary maker, writer, co-host of Radio 4’s ‘Bunkbeds’ and all round brilliant person, who shares his bee stories, as well as find...

Ep 6. Caged Queen from 2020-10-02T06:03

Honey at last from the Italians and how even a caged Queen (Queen Mary as named by the ladies) can exert a powerful influence over the hive. Another hello from Esther’s fellow beekeeper friend L...

Ep 5. New Delivery! from 2020-09-25T06:02

Esther welcomes a new nucleus of bees to the allotment who are keen to make their mark, and tries to settle them in with a little self-penned song. We hear about the seasonal cycle of the bees, ...

Ep 4. Survival Of The Fittest from 2020-09-18T06:03:32

As well as reporting back the latest from the hives, Esther tells Jane all about the good times the Queens have on their maiden flight. There’s more from Alison Benjamin from Urban Bees on the b...

Ep 3. Lynn's Tin from 2020-09-11T06:03

At the hive from the get go this week, to see how the bees are doing after last week’s sad news and Esther’s friend Lynn comes to the rescue bringing in an emergency queen. Jane learns more from...

Ep 2. Beekeeping 999 from 2020-09-04T06:02

There's some sad news about the Monkons colony this week, oddly echoing the current situation we humans find ourselves in. Nonetheless, Esther has a plan for how to keep her other colonies going...

Ep 1. Meeting the Bees from 2020-08-28T06:02

Episode 1: Welcome to Queen Bees - In our first episode, recorded earlier in the summer, how Esther and Jane first met and how Esther’s first foray into bee-keeping got her intimately acquainted...

Trailer from 2020-08-03T12:43:13

Coming Soon! Join Jane Horrocks as she chats to longtime pal Esther Coles; writer, actress and bee-keeper, about all things bees, as well catching up on current happenings and past memories, as onl...