BUzz Exclusive: Bee Hive data trapped in University building.

Around 75,000 workers in Bournemouth have been caught up in an unusual IT problem.

But this story is not what it seems. The workers involved are a colony of bees on top of three-storey Christchurch House in Bournemouth University.

The problem has been caused by a hitch with a special project to monitor their hive.

The UK’s first digitally monitored beehive was set up to gather information on one of the ecosystem’s key contributors.

The facility, which costs in excess of £50,000 was responsible for monitoring the hive’s daily activity since 2017.

A refurbishment at Christchurch House accidentally cut a wire linking the beehive to the University’s digital server which could be accessed by scientists across the globe.

This has led to key data being stored in the building with no means of accessing the material.

This information could be used to tackle key issues within science and entomology according to experienced beekeepers.

Bournemouth beekeepers Helga and David Aldersey have been responsible for the maintenance of the beehive since its creation half a decade ago.

The couple, who have been beekeepers for over 20 years have urged the university to utilise the facility.

It seems a great shame to us as pure laypeople that this is just languishing in a corner somewhere.

Helga said: “Before they cut the wire, we were able to access the data.

“It was very interesting, because we could see the weight going up every day and see the numbers of bees going out and coming back.”

Buzz reached out to Bournemouth University asking their opinion on this subject, however we are yet to receive a response.