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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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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."