Well hello!

Gosh, where should we start? It's a windy, wet Friday night. I am at the Townhouse tonight, fire is lit, alexa is playing in the background (Stevie Wonder at the moment) and for some reason, updating the website keeps on suggesting I start a blog.........

For those who don't know me, I am James. A professional chef by day working in the private education side of contract catering (with a lot of private chef work on the side) and a bee dreamer every other second that's spare. I have been cooking all my working life and before. Cooking isn't just about the food, it's about the experience, the connections, the working with nature, getting the best out of every ingredient.

I fell in love with honeybees many years ago as a child. Mum and Dad would take me and my brothers from Ilford to visit some old friends in Salisbury. Katie and John were kind and gentle. John was a potter, to be honest I can not remember what Katie did. John also had honeybees in his garden. Not many hives, but he would always take the time with me, and we would watch the bees. He would show me the flight paths, describe what the bees were doing, how the season was going, and of course, let me and my brothers have honey. He was the one who inspired me. It wasn't until 2006, some many years later, I would have the opportunity to attend a beekeeping course (I went to one meeting and never went back, the course structure was not for me)

A self taught beekeeper I have become, some 18 years later. Colonies on 10 different apiaries across Somerset, with 2025 being the best year for engagement and solid growth for both personal and bee.

Come with me on a journey. It's going to be fun...............