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Hive removed after couple spots honey dripping through ceiling
Sticky situation: a couple from Leicestershire noticed honey dripping through their bathroom ceiling.

Hundreds of bees found in listed building

An enormous bee hive has been removed from a loft after a couple spotted honey dripping through their bathroom ceiling.

The hive was found in a grade II listed 18th Century house
in Leicestershire earlier this month.

The couple told BBC News that they found the “sticky substance” coming through a light fixture.
But it was not until heritage insurer Ecclesiastical cut a hole in the ceiling that they made the “surprising” discovery.

“The couple noticed a patch [and] on closer inspection they could see that the substance was sticky and coming through the light fixtures, said an Ecclesiastical spokesperson. "They [also] noticed a lot of bees around the house and at this point sought an expert view. The bee expert made a hole in the ceiling and discovered the huge hive."

The insurer added that because of the amount of honey, the claim had to be made in a similar way to water damage. After the busy bees and their honeycomb were removed, the ceiling and light fixtures were repaired.

David Bonehill, claims director at 
Ecclesiastical said: "Claims for this type of damage in older properties are relatively common. Usually leaking pipework is the cause rather than honey!"

Image (C) Ecclesiastical

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.