Wyefield Apiaries at Bee Farmers Association AGM

I had the privilege of being the photographer at the national Bee Farmers Association Annual General Meeting which was held in a marquee at Stancombe Beech farm near Bisley. My friend Keith D. took over his Dad Jim's bee farming business some years ago which he started soon after the Second World War. They have been members of the Association all that time.

This year Keith offered to host the AGM at their farm and it brought farmers from all parts of England, Wales and Scotland. Keith gave a hilarious talk to the meeting about how Jim began keeping bees and diversified over the decades building up the farm with his two sons and daughter whilst he concentrated on honey production. Jim was able to attend aged 90 in his wheel chair and was greeted by everyone as great friend. It was the friendships that I noticed amongst all the members and their wit and repartee that enlivened the AGM. IK was really glad to have been invited to a rather special world.

The Wyefield Apiaries were one of several stalls offering services to the farmers. I liked the look of them and their smiles.

I should note that there was a lot of worry about the imminent invasion of Asian Hornets, which will threatening so much insect life, not just bees. There is a very good app for mobiles to help people identify any Asian Hornets and let the authorities know so they can try to eradicate them. You can download it from this Government website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-app-to-report-asian-hornet-sightings