SOME MEMBERS
Our Chairman Justin Cleveland-Peck
I have been keeping bees for about 8 years . These fascinating creatures are an important part of the small-holding I run in Ashurstwood. I am a keen gardener, both for work and fun, the bees help with pollination in my very large garden. An orchard with local apple tree varieties is another 'bee friendly' project planned for later this year, along with another couple of hives , probably
Our Treasurer Jacquie Russell
Jacquie is a local businesswoman who runs her own company along with her husband. She has been keeping bees for the last two years and has become a valued member of the committee in this time by putting her business and accounting knowledge into use. She has been unlucky this year because her bees
turned nasty but she is determined to keep going and we wish her well for the coming year. Jacquie is a happy and bubbly person who is always happy to talk about her experiences to new members.
Our Apiary Manager & Swarm Co-ordinatior Keith Blair
2010 will be my 10th season, so in beekeeping terms, I should soon be out of the 'beginner' category. When I retired recently and had more time available, I volunteered to be swarm co-ordinator/collector for the East Grinstead area and now find that I get more enjoyment from this, than any other aspect of beekeeping. When Peter Boase gave up managing our Association Apiary, I took that job on as well with the proviso that Peter would still be available to advise and mentor me with his vast beekeeping experience. This partnership has worked incredibly well and hopefully it will continue for many years to come.
Our Press Officer and Newsletter Editor Lisa Aitken
I began beekeeping in May 2009 following the purchase of 2 beautiful WBC hives and the delivery on one swarm shortly after. I would call myself very much a beginner but having now completed 8 months of running my own beehive, I have learnt masses and am looking forward to learning more in the coming year.
Our Secretary Sarah Paton
Our Minutes Secretary Brendan Shillington
I am a Professional Quantity Surveyor and live locally in East Grinstead and work in London. I started keeping bees in 1983 while at school in South Africa and paid for many of my university beers from the proceeds of what became a profitable hobby selling comb honey to health shops. I left behind over 30 hives when I moved to the UK in 2000. I started beekeeping
again in 2009 after joining the East Grinstead Association and now have 4 hives which I keep in Dormansland. Beekeeping in the UK is very different to beekeeping in SA during the 1980’s and 1990’s. In my experience bees were far more likely to survive mistakes or neglect in SA without verroa and assisted by a warm climate while in the UK this is likely to lead to disaster. With good advice I have had no losses during my first beekeeping winter and in 2010 look forward to my first honey crop in the UK.
Our Website Administrator Lawrence Paton
I am a software engineer working in London by day but would love to become a full time beekeeper. It all started in 2004 on a visit to the South of England show where I took part in a demonstration and became hooked. I started keeping bees in 2005 and now have around six hives in my garden. Recently I have become interested in the Queen rearing side and hope along with help from BIBBA
to start breeding good local Queens to help supply new beekeepers and also to help with re-queening existing colonies. I also beleive that it is very important for us to get our new teaching apiary up and running.
Our Ex Apiary Manager and very knowledgable member Peter Boase
My interest in bees goes back to my childhood in East Africa where we used to rob wild bees' nests and hope the resultant swarms would occupy wooden boxes hanging from the trees in our garden. No such luck.In 1967 we moved to Chelwood Gate by the Ashdown Forest where I have been keeping bees since 1976 with variable luck from 1150 lbs from 11 hives in 1989 to 49 lbs from my remaining 2 hives in 2009 . All that heavy lifting was getting me down.
These are just a few of our members, we always want people to get involved with the Committee, if you can help (even if its just moral support) please contact sarah paton.
