My beekeeping journey started with the B&RBKA beginners’ course, which I attended with my mother back in 2011. She’d recently purchased a colony of bees from an auction in Llanigon following the death of a local bee farmer. I was fascinated from the off, and was very happy to dedicate the ‘Skills’ section of my Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award to developing my beekeeping knowledge. I worked holidays and weekends for local bee farmer Peter Guthrie, which cemented my desire to live the bee life! After completing a degree in History in London I spent 6 months working for a larger scale bee farmer, David Wainwright, followed by a month in New Zealand travelling and learning queen rearing in Hawkes Bay with Kereru Queen Rearers. In recent years I’ve become more involved in the B&RBKA, chipping in with managing the association bees at Ty Mawr during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, and since returning from studying for a Master’s degree in Spain, and taking up the role of Seasonal Bee Inspector for Herefordshire, I’ve become Education Officer for the B&RBKA.

I lived a somewhat nomadic life for most of my adulthood. When we returned to the Marches a few years ago now and put down our roots, I took the opportunity to explore my interest in keeping bees. Having completed the BRBKA Beginners Course a number of hives quickly followed and formed part of our smallholding nestled away in the high hills above Rhayader. At 1300 feet, our apiary is an all poly-hive affair to help the bees through what are invariably harsher winters than most have to endure. I am fascinated by the rhythm and tempo of each season and how the bees form part of these natural patterns of life. I am very new to the Committee but have been struck by the energy and diligence with which my fellow trustees apply themselves to their roles. As the Outreach Officer I hope to be able to champion all this good work along with the continual efforts of our wonderful bees who are kept by passionate beekeepers across our patch.

I grew up in Northern Ireland and when I was about 10 years old my father allowed a friend to keep his bees on the one sheltered spot by a stream in our “wild” field. They thrived there and I became very fond of the taste of honey. I use the word wild as this was fifty years ago and my father loved all things wild. Years later, I found out that Breconshire and Radnorshire had a Beekeeping Association and I joined David’s excellent beginners’ course. I was hooked! I started keeping bees around 2012 with a strong nuc colony from David. I have about 6 colonies at home and two out apiaries of about 4 colonies each. I find these apiaries invaluable especially at this time of year for moving nuc colonies over 3 miles. I make many mistakes and keep telling myself that next year I will get it right. I have always something new to learn and the bees never cease to amaze me! I think that the main points to remember about beekeeping is to do things calmly and listen to what they are telling me. I try to remember each time I am opening a hive what my aims are and why. Then when I shut them up I ask myself whether I have helped or hindered them! I use WBCs because I started off with 3 free ones! WBCs have many bad points, but I will mention the good ones: they look nice and give me good memories, my bees winter well in double walled hives, and I can use the outers as tables whilst inspecting. I like both hive tools, I find the J tool better for easing out brood frames gently. I use poly nucs to transport bees and for splitting colonies. My indispensable bit of kit is a large goose feather. I am able to change it frequently as I have two Brecon Buff geese and each year I get a supply of beautiful long tail feathers which I use for clearing bees lightly off frames. I have made deep clearing boards in the ‘Dave Cushman’ style and these clear bees very efficiently. I will finish this by saying that I have tried to plant flowers, shrubs and trees that bees like and because of this, the bees have transformed our garden over the past decade.

It was shortly after Ivor and I moved to Tyrannell that we were able to pursue his long held interest in beekeeping. I was the assistant, a position I still prefer today to be honest. Ivor's mentor was Fred Eckton, who steadied his nerves during a drone laying episode and was always supportive. Regular readers of the newsletter will know how much Fred inspired us and our children by how often I quote from his wisdom. When Ivor died I told the bees. They hung around the door for days until I was able to reassure them that I would do my best as their new master, and a good master. However, I am absolutely not a skilled beekeeper. I make many mistakes, and manage only small harvests. Nevertheless, my four colonies - derived from whatever persists from Ivor's day, along with a prime swarm from Peter and nucleus from Rose, are thriving, with little or no disease. I use WBC hives because the extra insulation is helpful in the Beulah frost pocket.