The Buzz on Being an Aussie Yorkshire Beekeeper: Beekeeper to Bee Farmer

Around 15 years ago I decided to become a beekeeper, I had considered becoming a beekeeper years before but felt it was not practical to have them in my garden. I still tell any new beekeeper not to have them in your garden

Once I managed to get an allotment I decided to start my Beekeeping journey by joining Bradford Beekeepers Association

I quickly learned that that the Honey Bee likes to expand so 1 or 2 hives is not enough, I also discovered that I needed more land to keep up with my addiction for this amazing insect.

My first out Apiary was the roof at Batley Police Station quickly followed by Hollybank School and Oakwell Hall Country Park.

With more hives came Honey, we first called it Spen Valley Honey then Hollybank Honey.

With any addiction you always want more so I continued to expand, I began selling honey to friends, family, work, through Hollybank and Oakwell Hall.

All the money I made went straight back into more equipment and more bees

I have had or still have my bees at Ponderosa Zoo, Batley Police Station, Hollybank, Dewsbury Police Station, Oakwell Hall, Birkenshaw Fire Station, Batley High School, Gunthwaite Farm, Carr Gate Police Training School, Dewsbury Golf Club, East Bierly Golf Club and two Allotments in Heckmondwike.

Beekeeping was always just an hobby but one that was taking up more and more of my time.

I progressed slowly and learned the art of beekeeping for over a decade learning from my mistakes.

Along came covid, luckily the laws that came with it allowed me to still tend to my bees and the allotment, It also gave my daughter Bethany more time on her hands.

She told me that my Facebook site was rubbish along with my labels etc.

She made me a new website, Facebook and branding and Outback Beez was born.

We then started delivering honey to the local community which became very popular along with letting children paint our hives, this allowed me to buy even more bees

After covid we started being invited to attend local fares, markets etc, this meant I had to get even more bees.

I love nature, bees and taking about bees so decided to get even more hives.

I can call myself a Bee Farmer now