Meet the Moderators

[Roger Patterson]

This Forum is moderated by a small group of keen and enthusiastic beekeepers, and it is thought members might like to know a little bit about them, their interests and their beekeeping. We hope you appreciate it.

Roger Patterson.

[Roger Patterson]

I was born and brought up on a remote farm in Sussex, and have always been interested in the countryside and it’s wildlife.

My first biology lesson at secondary school was about bees, then I later found out the teacher was Assistant Secretary of the local BKA. At the age of 15 I discovered a colony of bees on the next door farm. It was completely overgrown and hadn’t been looked at for at least 10 years. The bees were in a WBC hive, and there were two empty hives in a shed. I spoke to the farmer who didn’t want them, so I contacted the teacher who looked at them for me. After examination I bought the lot for £3.

This was in 1963 soon after the hard 62’63 winter when well over half the bees perished. At that time there were a large number of package bees and queens imported to make up the losses. I soon became friends with a man called George Wakeford, who “looked after” about 400 colonies for other people. This varied from those who only had a single colony, to fruit farms with around 30. He was in his mid sixties then, and was a self taught beekeeper who never wore a veil or gloves, but could handle even the most vicious colony. He was easily the best handler of bees I have never known, but knew very little of what happens in a colony. He knew the basics, something many beekeepers don’t bother to learn. He never actually taught me anything, but I learnt a lot simply by watching him, and many of his techniques form the basis of my handling today.

I was soon caught by “bee fever” and put 24 colonies into my second winter. I had bought some of the Italian queens, but quickly realised they were not suited to this country, and have used native types ever since, though I have been involved with many “imports” and have never regretted my earlier decision.

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I became a Committee Member of my local BKA at the age of 17, and Chairman at 23. I was County Chairman at 25. I wonder how many can match that. On reading back through the minute book I found that the minutes for a 1957 meeting were signed in 1963 – they hadn’t had a committee meeting for 7 years!

I am very much a practical beekeeper and try to keep things simple. I use minimal equipment and make or mend where I can. Although I now only keep 25-30 colonies, I did have 130 at one stage. All are on single B/C nationals. I rear my own queens and rigorously cull those that show any aggression.

There have been many changes in my time including the coming of OSR, and varroa, both of which have had significant impacts on beekeeping in different ways. We used to have County Beekeeping Advisors who did the teaching, but now it is left to local BKA’s. Some are good, but unfortunately many are very poor.

In my early days at least half the beekeepers worked on the land in some way. There were many who kept 20+ colonies, and sold honey to augment their fairly low incomes. Most knew little about the bees, but were successful because they were practical. Now there are very few who work on the land, many being office based in some way, or have retired early to live in the country, and are largely very impractical, although due to different attitudes and communication are much more knowledgeable.

I have been demonstrating since the late sixties and have thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a lot of satisfaction in introducing someone to the craft, then seeing them do well. Currently at my local BKA we have some good demonstrators, three of them have only been keeping bees for a couple of years or so.

I am a toolmaker by trade and ran my own toolmaking and presswork company for 25 years. Due to lack of time and a serious back problem (now mended) I didn’t keep bees for about 15 years, although I retained the connection with my local BKA where I continued as Chairman. It was when I returned that I discovered there was a problem in getting queens mated and laying properly.

I have three children, and three step-children, none of whom have any interest in bees. I have many other interests including wildlife, gardening, walking, and sport where I still play cricket, and stopped playing football at the age of 44.

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I believe beekeeping should be fun, not the chore that some make it with what I call their over sanitised methods.

I am currently a BBKA Exec member, BIBBA Committee member, BDI Vice President, West Sussex BKA Chairman, and President and Apiary Manager of my local BKA. I give an increasing number of lectures and demonstrations on the practical aspects of beekeeping, and for many years have been the auctioneer at the annual West Sussex BKA auction. I occasionally have time to eat!

Roger Patterson

[adamsm]

Hi

My Name is Martin Adams and I have been keeping bees for 3 years. I guess I don't know life without varroa and from what every one tells me I have never seen a good honey crop year yet.

Despite this I am now up to 18 colonies and my crops have increased year on year.

My hives are all National. All on open mesh floor and 99% are 14 by 12. These are placed across 4 apiaries in North Warwickshire.

I am active in my local beekeeping branch and I was one of the top 10 posters of all time on the old forum.

I have my own forum which I did not make live as this one is adequate and I felt with the 3 or so already out there it was not required.

I class myself as progressive and spent ALL this summer working as a bee farmer. I helped manage up to 1000 colonies on a 2 week cycle. I guess this gives me a 250 year experience based against keeping 2 hives at home in the garden and the same inspection routine.

I have a strong pull towards AI, Queen rearing and the gene pool.

Hope this give a little insight to my world..

Martin