It all started with a book on Bee keeping for a Christmas present.  When my husband had finished reading the book I asked “What have you learnt then?”  “Bee keeping is a practical hobby and you need to join your local association.” was his reply.

For our next wedding anniversary when David came to pick me up from work I gave him a piece of paper from my shorthand note book that said, “Happy anniversary darling.  Ring that number.”  The note said “I think that this is the most productive present that I could give you”.  How true that statement has turned out to be.  The number was the Chairman of South Riding Beekeepers Association.

He was obviously a bit surprised and he thought that I was a bit mean.  However, he did ring Bill and went round for a chat, a pot of tea and half a homemade cake.  He learnt more in that afternoon than reading 20 books.

Warning: You can read hundreds of books on beekeeping but the bees don’t read any of them.

We both went on a course at Woolley Hall.  The reason why we both went on the course was because if David needed any help I needed to know what to do.

We are craft beekeepers and are proud to keep this country craft alive.  Since the Second World War the number of registered beekeepers has dramatically reduced from 230,000 to 14,000.