“The remarkable spectacle of rival hordes of bees engaged in warfare which resulted in hundreds of their number being killed off and 14 chickens stung to death provided unusual thrills for spectators of the onslaught at Low Coniscliffe on Tuesday,” said the D&S Times 100 years ago this week.

The drama unfolded in the secluded garden of John Frizell, an expert apiarist, who kept up to 100,000 bees in three hives next to his hen run.

However, a swarm of foreign bees – numbering about the same as in the hives – gathered in the hen run “with the evident intention of raiding the hives”.

(Image: Contributor)

“The bees in the hives swooped in thousands on the invading bees and a terrific battle followed, hundreds of insects falling in the struggle.

“Several men armed with syringes of ammonia water tried to force a passage through the clouds of infuriated bees to rescue the chickens, but they could not reach the birds.

“Hostilities continued for nearly two hours and then the attacking bees, with their numbers considerably reduced, were driven into the extreme corner of the garden and finally flew away.”

(Image: D&S Times)

The 14 unfortunate chickens were found stung to death in their run surrounded by dead bees – it was clear from the bees’ bodies, said the D&S, that the foreign invaders had suffered the greatest number of casualties.

The D&S concluded: “No trace has been found of the marauding bees, and as it is believed no other person in the immediate district stocks bees, their arrival at Low Coniscliffe is regarded as a mystery.”