Cold Ash beekeeper Paul can barely bee-lieve his 50th anniversary award

A man has celebrated 50 years of devotion to bees and beekeeping.

Cold Ash resident Paul Jarvis said he has been stung more times than he can count, but has no plans to stop his passion soon.

And he just been presented a certificate from The British Beekeepers Association in recognition of his sweet success.

“It’s a fascinating hobby. You get stung a bit, but you don’t mind that,” the 87-year-old told newburytoday.

But his hobby has also managed to become a family effort.

His daughter Carole Jarvis said: “When he first starting keeping bees, he’d get stung and his face would swell up like a balloon. Now it doesn’t faze him in the slightest.

“I remember him taking us in the back of his van with hives to move with bees flying everywhere and me being scared, but dad saying ‘it’s ok, they won’t sting’.

“Let me tell you that they did. He found it hilarious.

“I also have very fond memories of him bottling the honey at the dining room table with me putting lids and labels on the jars.”

He has also taken his granddaughters out beekeeping and his wife used to make hand cream, candles and furniture polish from the wax.

Mr Jarvis was mentored by a man called Frank Matthews, from Compton.

He has since trained others in the craft himself and continues to tend to bees around Cold Ash, Ashmore Green and Eling.

Recounting what he finds the most interesting part of beekeeping, he said: “You can sit and watch the bees working in front of the hives and bringing in all the different coloured pollens.

“That’s something that’s very fascinating.

“Anyone who wants to take it up, it’d be well worth their while.”

Chair of the Newbury District Beekeepers Association Adrian Doyle commented on his achievement, saying: “Newbury Beekeepers have been established for over 70 years and for Paul to be part of us for such a long period is a wonderful example to all beekeepers.

“Paul’s jovial nature and excellent beekeeping knowledge have often put a beekeeper’s mind at rest in what can be a passion of many opinions.

“Paul’s experience is of the highest order and has deservedly been awarded this honour, for which only a few are handed out every year.”

Congratulations, Paul.