John Carr of St David's Farm Practice, Devon, UK, Ke-Jien Chen of the Animal Technology Institute Taiwan and Cheryl L Scudamore of the Royal Veterinary College, London, UK prove that the closer examination of almost any aspect of nature reveals hidden beauty and the honey bee (Apis mellifera) is no exception.

Rothamsted Research located at Harpenden, in the English county of Hertfordshire, is one of the oldest agricultural research institutions in the world. Recently it had cause to celebrate.

This is an occasional series that helps IBRA members get to know those who represent them on the IBRA Council. This issue features long-serving member, Vice Chairman and former Chairman, Dr William Kirk. He is also a former Chairman and President of the North Staffordshire Beekeepers Association.

St Modomnoc, sometimes referred to as the Patron Saint of bees, not beekeeping, died about 550 CE. His Saint's day is celebrated on 13th February.

This is intended to be an occasional series that helps IBRA members get to know something about those who represent them on the IBRA Governing Council. This issue features long serving member and Vice Chairman, Dewi Rowlands. Also a former General Secretary of the Welsh Beekeepers Association.

In one of those unique chance opportunities the author observes in detail a rarely, if ever, recorded activity of this elusive Central American bee. Contact: opj@talk21.com.