'I joined a bee keeping lesson in Glasgow - here's what happened'

Like most of us, I usually fear the insects, so this was a challenge I did not take lightly and I was determined to get through this without tears.

Fortunately, unlike my colleague Marissa, who reported on the swarm taking over a city centre restaurant on Wednesday, my encounter was entirely controlled.

READ MORE: Glasgow restaurant forced to close by huge bee swarm

Beehive at t 63rd 1st restaurant in Glasgow, Wednesday (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

Bees from the Skypark beehive in Glasgow (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Beekeeping session in Glasgow (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Despite my heart racing, I was excited (dare I say buzzing?) to attend the session, which was held by Wade Ball at Skypark in Finnieston.

The environmental educator of The Good Bee Company ran lessons to get people involved in ecosystem restoration.

After we put on our full bee suits, complete with colourful gloves, he introduced our group to the newly-arrived beehives in the parking lot.

Wade Ball, right, with participants (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Glasgow Times reporter Eszter Tárnai (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Wade Ball, right, with attendees (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

A bee landing on or reporter's finger (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

As he lifted the lid, hundreds of bees flew out, some circling in the air, while a couple landed on us, as my hands trembled.

I held my breath a couple of times as a worker bee flew inches away from my face and tried to come through the net, unsuccessfully.

But ultimately, I enjoyed observing the little creatures, making honey inside the hive.

We learned about how the queen gains her 'powers' from feeding on royal jelly longer than other bees.

Bees in Glasgow (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Beekeeping session group photo (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Thea Joy Avery in her bee suit (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Our little group examined the honeycomb and looked at the wax and the honey created in there.

Wade even explained to us that keepers use smoke when they open the hives to calm the little animals.

Overall, the session was eye-opening and very educational.

I developed a lot of respect towards bees, who are vital for our ecosystem and provide us will delicious honey.

Speaking of which, we were lucky enough to each take home a jar of the delicious nectar, made by the very insects we met.

Thea Joy Avery, with her jar of honey (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

While having conversations after the event, I also learned about a theory that local honey helps hay fever sufferers get better, because of the pollen that is ingested.

This is a very handy tip that I will definitely be passing on to all my affected friends.

He said: "We have multiple projects but our main not-for-profit project is Bee Friendly Schools.

"We are working with children across the UK.

"You can see the reaction when you get young people in an experience that is not part of mainstream education and is much more about life skills. It's amazing."

Skypark is a corporate partner of the organisation, investing in sustainability, ecology, and biodiversity.

Honey and bee tattoo (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Strategic lettings advisor, Angela Higgins of Resonance Capital said: “We are excited to have four fully populated beehives on site and to share the initiative with the community.

"Our plans for the estate will increase our commitment to biodiverse areas, trees, and planting, and more external areas for our tenants and staff's wellbeing.

"We are already ensuring that no waste goes to landfill, and everything here is recycled, composted, or sent for refused derived fuel.”