Aldworth's Deepest Well: Reading William Woodley's 1898 Drought Tale from the British Bee Journal
Today, I'm in Aldworth, Berkshire, visiting the historic wellhead—the well was 365 feet (111 meters) deep, it's one of the deepest wells in the county! Dug in 1867, this Victorian marvel was crucial for the village during tough times like the long drought period of the 1890s.
In the reel, I'm reading a poignant passage by Mr. William Woodley from the British Bee Journal (1898), detailing the drought's impact and the plight of Aldworth's villagers. As a pioneering bee-farmer, showman, and writer based nearby in Beedon, Woodley's words bring that era to life.
This excerpt inspired the chapter on droughts that I just completed for my forthcoming book on his remarkable life. Stay tuned for more bee history!
What challenges do you think beekeepers face in droughts today? Share below! 👇
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