Honey for the bees
14 July 2020
Let’s start with a bit of history, but I’ll be brief. Honest.
In 1714, a philosopher called Bernard Mandeville published ‘The Fable of the Bees: or, Private Vices, Publick Benefits’. Its subject is self-interest, suggesting (rather surprisingly) that if you satisfy your own selfish wishes, you’ll satisfy those of others as well.
Moreover, he argues that private vices create social benefits: luxury spending gives employment - and even crime, so he states, brings work for the justice system and lawyers.
In his imaginary beehive the self-interested exploits of the elite in society bring benefits that eventually trickle down to those at the bottom, just as by serving the queen bee, the worker bees have a focus and a community.
While Mandeville’s ideas were controversial, they influenced later laissez-faire thinkers like Adam Smith, he of ‘The Wealth of Nations’ fame. Anyway, that’s quite enough history!
Upgrading homes and gardens
I’m not going to defend Mandeville’s thinking, but it seemed apt when I heard that some wealthy - and I do mean wealthy - Britons are spending literally millions on upgrading their homes and gardens.
With Covid-related restrictions on holidays and public gatherings, they’re making the most of their surroundings to entertain friends, combining socialising with social distancing.
According to press reports, these people near the top of the hive are spending tidy sums on heated swimming pools, majestic landscaped gardens, outdoor kitchens with underfloor heating, underground car parks and, even, adding whole storeys to their houses below ground level.
The trickle-down theory is that much work is involved in creating these architectural showpieces. Pools, for example, have to be excavated and perhaps enclosed in a heated building. That needs a lot of hired equipment from mixers, mini excavators and compact dumpers, to fastening tools and lifting machinery.
Pizzas in the oven
Demand is also strong for enhancements like outdoor pizza kilns. Julie Armond, Project Manager at Hook-up Solutions, tells me that the company’s innovative Hooka tracked mini crane (pictured below) is proving very popular for moving these ovens through narrow access ways, or lifting them over neighbouring fences and into position.
“We’ve supplied machines for this purpose before, but enquiries really increased during the lockdown,” Julie says. “In the past, some people have actually had ovens delivered without giving any thought about access. They are typically at least 1m wide and weigh from 600kg upwards.
“The Hooka is only 900mm wide and can lift 1500kg. We are in regular contact with several major kiln manufacturers and they now ask their customers in advance about the installation.
Access via farmers’ fields
“Sometimes access has only been possible by lifting the oven over a neighbour’s wall, removing a fence panel or gaining entry via a farmer’s adjacent field,” she added.
The company can supply the machine with an operator and covers a wide radius from its headquarters in Baldock. One hirer that has a unit in its fleet is Oswestry-based Griffiths Hire Shops, and for other locations Hook-up Solutions can call on a nationwide network of customers who have a Hooka.
The machine was originally designed for shifting 1-tonne builders’ bags of materials from the front of properties, but its narrow footprint also makes it popular for tasks such as moving and positioning steel beams, statues and root ball trees.
Incidentally, going back to pizzas, a quick internet search for niche toppings suggested Hot Honey, Calabrese Honey and the irreverently named Cheesus H Christ with mozzarella, parmigano and taleggio cheeses drizzled with the sweet substance produced by bees.
I’m sure they would all give Mandeville a buzz.
(Photo above by Anton Atanasov from Pexels)
