My Beekeeping Story

It was some years before my father died in 2010 that I was taking my family turn in caring for Dad who was in his early 90’s that I announced to him that I had decided to take up beekeeping. To my complete surprise he replied “Did you know I used to keep bees in my younger days? I had 12 hives” This came as a complete surprise since I’m no youngster and this fact had never come out before. This was the start of a long and winding voyage that even I had no idea of the paths it would lead me.

The start was to find a club where I could learn about bees and how to care for them. I think this is the route that most people would take. I have a diploma in Agriculture but can assure any reader that beekeeping is far more complex than keeping all the farm animals put together. After finding my first club the thrill of seeing all those bees working away on the frames all performing their allotted jobs with such dedication and perseverance that even the sight of me did not put them off. I have to say at this particular time I had just had a

Dupytrens operation on my left hand and had wrapped this with something to protect me from the odd bee that took offence to me being there. I was not able to lift any frames which I always recommend any would be beekeeper to do before rushing out and buying all the kit and livestock. You will know when you lift that first frame whether beekeeping is for you or not. My mind was long made up regardless that I was going to become a beekeeper.

All my life I have learnt how to do many things by watching. This asset has served me well through the years. Things didn’t go very well for me, so I found another club some hour and a half drive away. The time I spent with this club was all in the lecture theatre, but I had a real hunger to expand my knowledge far more. However, it was at this home that I had an opportunity to buy my first 2 colonies of bees. I still remember waiting at the side of a road to collect my bees. Back home my apiary was prepared, and the folding stand stood there waiting. The nucs were duly put on the stand and the entrance opened around 10am. It never ceases to amaze me watching the bees do their orientation flight. That evening the real beekeeping started. I transferred the girls into a full national hive. I progressed to around 10 hives and nucs. A small group of us would meet at my house to do demonstration inspections, make up Apideas and so on. My intention was to get around 80 hives going and so started to make my own hives

However, disaster struck -health wise. I was unable to walk over to the apiary and several times was stranded sitting or lying on the ground unable to get the last few yards into my house. Decisions had to be made. It seemed I was more able to do the woodwork and so started the next steps with bees. I had purchased some budget machines and so it started. I decided that this was perhaps my forte. As it turned out the machines I bought were not up to the mark and these were gradually replaced by top of the range joinery machines. My dovetailer works to 0.1 of a mm so the other machines had to follow suit. It was very apparent to me even in early days that the hives I had bought were not up to my mark

Despite meticulous painting the metal on the roofs were all blowing and as the blog on my web page they were filling with water during winter months. I really care for my bees and want them to have the very best environment that can be provided. This was the start of Apishop! From my building knowledge and my physics from school it was obvious that different materials were required to start with. At this time, I had a caretakers job at a small retail park. One of the units was empty and my bosses allowed me to put a display in the window. It was here I met many people and in particular one. I have yet to tell him that he started quite a long development process. He asked why I wasn’t using a plastic vacuum formed roof that he had experience of a school. I remained quiet but my thoughts started out on yet another long journey. Having contacted endless companies both here and in the UK. I eventually found one who would take on my small production. Apparently, he had a teacher at school who kept bees. He rang me to say the roofs could not be made with a 90 degree bend, would this be a problem. Again, my brain went into overdrive and this 20mm triangle formed by the two 45 degrees became my fully ventilated roof system. I designed my floors with a corriboard floor that is fully rebated so it can be closed in the winter to make a virtual solid floor and the mesh is fully rebated to protect the bee’s legs.

With these hives, started the shop which is at my home in the countryside. It is only small as I’m stocking the essentials for beekeeping. Including a few books. My suits are made for me and have a half glove hand to avoid one’s wrist becoming exposed when reaching forward. I am the Irish agent for Konigin honey extractors. I stock from a 4 frame tangential hand to a 24 frame motorised. Most are got to order with delivery around May. The biggest extractor I sold was a 32 frame 125mm diameter to date but open for orders for larger!!. All my extractors are made for the Irish market and will take all the usual frames. However, if you are not sure what to buy please contact me as machines can be made to order. This is part of my unique service

I have a little visitor centre where people can have a coffee or tea sitting round a table whilst talking about bees. What else? I like to think this is an enjoyable shopping experience where past customers will verify there is usually much laughter!! Life is too short and bee keeping should be fun

As a beekeeper I know that the unexpected usually happens and that none of us ever have all the kit we need. Consequently, I shall be having usual opening hours but if anyone is desperate outside these hours to give me a ring where I will always help if I can. Visitors are always welcome and I’m happy if you call just to have a cuppa with me and see the shop.

I’m always happy to advise, discuss and to learn in this fascinating field of beekeeping.

Phil Raphael.

P.S. I’m looking for a partner for an experiment that will probably run for 5 years. The ideal person will be a proficient beekeeper in all aspects and will need to be a proficient record keeper as well as having the same enthusiasm as myself. For my part, I will be supplying all the hardware. Hopefully after the end of this experiment the results will be published.

Anyone interested please contract me on sales@apishop.ie