Gwenynwyr Cymru The Welsh Beekeeper

Congratulations to
Wally Shaw OBE
Welsh beekeepers are delighted that one of
their most prominent members has been
awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday
Honours. Wally Shaw, from Anglesey, was
given the award for his work with the
National Bee Unit and for his invaluable
contributions to beekeeping in general over
many years.
Wally and his wife Jenny took up beekeeping
in 1987 with the aim of providing better
pollination for a newly established orchard of around 70 trees. Neither had
previous experience of beekeeping and, as trained professional ecologists,
they thought that beekeeping would not present much of a problem for
them. They soon discovered the reality and realised that they desperately
needed help and guidance and so became members of the Anglesey
Beekeeping Association (ABKA). Although there was no formal teaching
at the time, a nearby beekeeper provided some initial mentoring without
which they may never have made it through the early stages. The couple
of hives in the orchard soon became 4, then 6 but never more than 8! They
now run about 50 hives in 7 apiaries and prepare some 30-40 nucs a year
in order to make ABKA self-sufficient in locally adapted bees.
Wally was ‘conscripted’ into the role of Local Association Secretary in the
early 1990’s, a post he held for 20years. He is currently the Technical
Officer for both his local Association and also for the Welsh BKA. For the
past 10 years has been the Trade Stand Secretary of the Welsh Beekeepers’
Convention. In the mid-90’s he was nominated to represent Wales on the
Bee Health Advisory Panel – an important link between the Associations
and the National Bee Unit. He has remained in this role throughout the
Healthy Bee Plan where he also serves as a member of the Science and
Evidence Advisory Group. He has found the regular contact with scientists
at NBU and the Bee Inspection Service both a stimulating and an enjoyable
experience.
Wally is frequently called upon to give lectures on various aspects of
beekeeping throughout the Principality and also beyond Offa’s Dyke.
He also contributes regularly to the Welsh Beekeeper, to Bee Craft and
occasionally to BBKA News.
The driving force behind his beekeeping has been twofold: firstly, an
absolute fascination with bees and trying to understand the workings of the
colony and secondly, applying to beekeeping of what is known scientifically
about bees.
The Welsh Beekeeper #182 10
Autumn 2013