About Me 

My journey with honey bees began with what I thought was a simple pest control call-out for a wasp nest. The “pesky wasps” turned out to be honey bees—specifically scout bees from a swarm or an overcrowded hive, searching for a new cavity to occupy. Their chosen location was a bay window of my potential client’s property. Within minutes, two neighbours approached me after seeing my van, each convinced they also had a wasp nest. I explained what was actually happening and how I could help them all.

      At that time, I didn’t own any beekeeping equipment, though that quickly became a priority. I contacted a beekeeper who kindly loaned me a nucleus hive. The following day, the swarm arrived and moved into one of the bay windows. As an ex–builder’s labourer, I knew exactly how to access the bees inside the cavity. It was a slow and careful job, but I managed to remove them from their new home and place them safely into the hive. Everything went smoothly, and soon I had my first swarm of bees in a nucleus hive.

     I contacted the beekeeper who had loaned me the hive and took the bees over to him. He couldn’t believe the size of the swarm—one of the biggest he had ever seen. The next day, he invited me over to show me the hive’s progress. The bare wax frames had already been drawn out with fresh honeycomb, and the queen had even begun laying eggs. He gave me £120, and with that money I bought my first bee hive on eBay. That moment marked the true beginning of my beekeeping journey and a growing fascination with bees and their remarkable role in nature.

      I soon advertised myself as a swarm collector and ended that year with eight hives. The following year, I doubled my count to sixteen. By my third year, I was truly getting into the swing of things—I completed a beekeeping course and received my Basic Beekeeping Certificate. I finished that year with thirty-two hives. By year four, after several more swarm collections and adding honey bee removals from buildings to my pest control business, I had reached sixty-four hives. It had become much more than a hobby—I was now a bee farmer.

      Along the way, I’ve met several invaluable people. Bob Beards has been, and still is, my mentor. Unfortunately, due to ill health, Bob has had to give up his lifelong beekeeping hobby, something that saddens both him and me. I still call in for a brew whenever I’m nearby. I owe him so much; without his guidance and advice, I wouldn’t be where I am today in the beekeeping world. Thank you, Bob.

      Another go-to person has been Paul Beardsmore at Modern Beekeeping. When he’s not reading bedtime stories to his children, ice skating, or busy with his own bee-farming business, he always answers the phone! I now use only Bee Box Hives from Finland, purchased through Modern Beekeeping, and I’ve found them to be the best hives available. I’ve also had great support from other Cheshire beekeepers, including Steve Purkis, a fellow swarm collector who passes calls to me when he’s working away—or when the bees are too high up for his liking. Steve doesn’t do heights!

Why Us?

Indulge in our signature Runny Honey, harvested from the finest blooms around the Middlewich, Cheshire area. This golden elixir has received numerous awards at several Cheshire Beekeeping shows over the years. It boasts a delicate floral aroma and a rich, smooth flavour that will elevate your breakfast, tea, or culinary creations. Discover the taste of pure, natural goodness.

 

Experience the Taste of Award-Winning Cheshire Honey Crafted by my dedicated bees across select Cheshire apiaries, my honey is a true celebration of nature’s finest flavors. Over the years, my honey varieties have won acclaim at multiple honey shows, earning recognition as some of the best in Cheshire. Every bee in my care is ethically sourced—either through my nationwide honey bee removal service or my free swarm collection program. Once safely relocated to a vibrant, multi-floral Cheshire apiary, each colony is nurtured with meticulous care.
 
I monitor their health, temperament, and queen management to ensure strong, happy bees and exceptional honey production. From hive to jar, every drop of my honey embodies ethical practices, sustainability, and the rich, natural essence of Cheshire’s countryside.
 
Every jar of my Award-Winning Finest Cheshire Honey is crafted with care in a Food Standards Agency-approved facility dedicated solely to honey extraction and jarring. Hand-poured, carefully weighed, and quality-checked, each jar is sealed with a tamper-evident label and individually hand-labeled. This hands-on process ensures that every jar delivers premium, artisan-quality honey straight from the hive to your table.

 

Here’s a 14-minute video I created in September 2025, showcasing the journey of our Summer Honey – primarily crafted from Himalayan Balsam flowers – straight to the jar. When filling the jarring tank, I always pair a bucket of Spring Honey with a bucket of Summer Honey. This ensures that every jar maintains a consistent texture, viscosity, and, most importantly, delivers the signature Finest Cheshire Honey taste all year round.