South coast of Hampshire
Passionate about the bees
I keep around 25 colonies in three apiaries, rear my own queens, and teach beekeepers at every level from my teaching apiary.
~25
colonies across three apiaries
Cornell
Master Beekeeper
7
BBKA Advanced Theory exams passed, plus Microscopy
2×
NDB Advanced Summer School, Pershore
What I do
Teaching, defending and talking about bees
Education & training
Education Officer for my local association. My teaching apiary runs courses at all levels through the season, from first hives to queen rearing.
The Asian hornet
Until recently Hampshire’s Asian Hornet Coordinator. Adviser to the BBKA Asian Hornet Committee and a trustee of the Hampshire Beekeepers Association.
Talks & public speaking
Talks for associations, garden clubs and groups: bees and beekeeping, the Asian hornet, the secret wines of the Loire Valley, and the Falklands War.
Watch
At the apiary with Alan
Field exam, recorded at the apiary in June 2026.
The book · Second edition
Fit2Fight: how I learnt to manage the Asian hornet in my apiary
The second edition of my book, a practical guide to managing the Asian hornet, is available on Amazon UK.
News from the apiary
Latest writing
Presentations
Slides from my talks
Free to view and download: bee biology, swarming, winter preparation, pests and diseases, and the Asian hornet.
Resources
Guides and useful links
Practical guides and references for beekeepers at every stage.
Local Hampshire honey
From my own apiaries on the south coast. New season’s premium honey: just £10 for a 454g jar.
A little about me
From the Loire Valley to the Hampshire coast
I lived in France’s Loire Valley for 23 years before coming to England after marrying Penny Melville-Brown OBE, disability advocate, writer, speaker and the Blind Baker.
I am working towards the Advanced Practitioner Certificate, having passed the Basic and General Husbandry assessments, seven Advanced Theory exams and the Microscopy Certificate.
News from the apiary, by email
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