In December, Matt’s bees were doing exactly what they needed to be doing. They were staying indoors, keeping warm and eating.
Not disturbing them was the best thing Matt could do in the cold weather. If he opened up the hive, all the heat the bees had been generating would be lost. When there were storms, he visited the bees to check their hives were still upright. Here and there, he evaluated the fondant levels and topped up their supply if they were running low. But in December, Matt’s role is minimal.
Fear not! Matt has been a busy beekeeper in other ways.
As a Harrogate resident, Matt attended the Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers Association AGM. This was a ceremonious event where certificates were awarded to those who passed exams earlier in 2024. Guess who was the only beekeeper to earn a distinction in the Basic Assessment… That’s right, it was Matt!
At this event, the John Annett Trophy is awarded to one exceptional beekeeper. John Annett was a revered and influential figure in beekeeping in Harrogate and Ripon. At times, he almost single-handedly kept the Association running and was a devoted educator to all the beekeepers around him. This trophy is held in very high regard by the HRBKA.
Matt was astonished to hear his name when they announced who was considered for this prestigious award. He is a relatively new beekeeper, so just being a nominee was an amazing honour. Guess who won the award… That’s right, it was Matt!
Matt is the kind of person who does not just attend but gets involved. So, it should come as no surprise to hear that in August 2024 Matt joined the Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers Association committee. He is the Membership Engagement Officer, which is a little like being an MP. He listens to members to understand what they most want and need, and works to ensure the Association provides the correct resources and activities.
As part of that role, Matt is taking responsibility for organising the programme of talks for the upcoming year and will be delivering one of these talks himself! In March, he will be educating attendees on basic honey extraction. From now until then, it’s time to prepare.
There is a community spirit within the Association, so Matt is also happy to help with tasks outside of his official role. In September 2024, Matt attended Harrogate’s Autumn Flower Show on the HRBKA stand, talking with members of the public about beekeeping and dismantling the stand at the end of the day. In a few weeks time, Matt will become a teacher on HRBKA’s Beginners Course. These sessions run until 31st March 2025. If you’re interested, find out more here! Matt will be in the classroom, teaching the theory sessions. Winter is the perfect time for Matt to be staying indoors, buried in books, preparing to pass on knowledge to new beekeepers.
