Wax Extraction for the Back Yard Beekeeper by Dave Atherton

Wax Extraction for the Back Yard Beekeeper by Dave Atherton

Dave Atherton first encountered bees in July 1955, when he helped to catch a swarm in his uncle's garden in Market Deeping, Lincolnshire. Note the school blazer and shorts.

However, the sad truth is that he had no further involvement with bees for the next 39 years, when in 1994 he retired from his employment in a synthetic fibre factory, and a work colleague gave him a retirement gift of bees.

Dave went on to be Secretary of the Roe Valley Beekeepers' Association for 10 years, Honey Show Manager for

15 years, and served in several positions on the Executive Committee of the Ulster Beekeepers Association. He is also a member of the Derry & District BKA.

Several issues are now obliging him to reduce his beekeeping activities. Age (approaching four-score), health (not allowed to eat honey) and a severe allergy to bee stings, are all contributing to this decline.