An Interview with the Beekeeper
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As versatile as it is desirable, The Homestead shepherd’s hut is designed to cater to those in need of extra space. Lovingly dubbed the ‘Hobby Hut’, it has become a popular choice as a studio for all kinds of pursuits. We visited one such hut, which has become a hive of activity for a particularly sweet pastime.
Dressed for a visit to an apiary, without a trace of perfume or moisturiser (for the bees, you see), we find ourselves in a quintessential Cotswold village. Complete with leaning pub, golden-toned stone, and trees in full bloom, we turn into a driveway shaded by a towering sycamore tree.
We’re here to visit Jeff and Anne, owners of a Red Sky shepherd’s hut since 2022.
Long established as garden rooms and alternatives to house extensions, shepherd’s huts can provide the space that sometimes a home cannot. This was the case for Jeff and Anne when Jeff’s interest in bees turned into an all-encompassing passion – the word ‘hobby’ doesn’t quite describe such dedication to a pastime.
“It’s a hobby, but it’s more than a hobby; it’s a deep interest,” explains Jeff. “This is the start of my fourth season of beekeeping, and there’s always something new to learn. I don’t sell my honey; I give it to friends and family. Sales alone wouldn’t cover the full cost of the hobby, and there’s a lot of administration with food safety regulations. So I keep it for what it is - an exercise for the body and soul.”
Rewind to 2020, the warm summer of social-distancing, and a swarm of honeybees entered their garden. “We weren’t sure what to do with them, so we popped a message in our village WhatsApp group.” The community connected them with a beekeeper, who came to collect the swarm.
“Years ago, I was interested in taking up beekeeping - I even bought a book on it. So when he came, I was fascinated by what he was doing. I paid close attention to how he collected them, and he could see my obvious interest. He said if I wanted to observe him beekeeping (all outdoors so we could maintain social distancing), I could.”
So along Jeff went to watch his swarm enter their new home. He was repeatedly invited back, and each time he eagerly visited. One day he showed up in a newly purchased bee suit - an investment that prompted his mentor to offer him two colonies of his own.
“I went home and started planning my own apiary. I worked with a particularly handy friend who happened to be furloughed, and together we built it.” By November, Jeff had two colonies to call his own - one of which was the original swarm that had buzzed into his life just a few months earlier.
Our first stop is their shepherd’s hut, which serves as both a workshop and storage space for Jeff’s beekeeping kit.
As his commitment to beekeeping grew, so did his collection of equipment, and its footprint on the family home. “It started in the garage, but that rapidly became overcrowded, and then it spread into a bedroom. Especially at harvest time, you need jars, buckets, and boxes - all of which need to be stored for the rest of the year. It became clear I needed a workshop and store of my own.”
Set in their picturesque orchard - an ideal 50 yards from the paddock housing the apiary - Jeff’s workshop sits amongst the trees and meadowland.
“We liked the idea of a shepherd’s hut for many reasons, one of which is its mobility. If I ever give up beekeeping, we can move it from its current position and use it as a garden room. It’s also beautiful, and we love how it looks in the landscape.”
This corrugated-clad Homestead Hut, featuring oak double stable doors, is a studio designed with purpose. “I’d drawn up some plans of how I wanted the interior kitted out, which Adam converted into functional workshop drawings.”
Inside, it’s a veritable treat for beekeepers and hobbyists alike, with custom shelving, a solid oak desk, and every surface stacked with hives, stationery, jars, and boxes. An oak floor provides a durable base for a busy workshop. As well as storage for equipment and honey, Jeff also assembles, repairs and paints hives in here, making it a true multifunctional studio.
It’s a creative space, unapologetically practical, yet it has a sense of calm amidst the paraphernalia. Perhaps it’s the inspiring contents, the endless view from the windows, or the satisfying nature of the work made possible by the tools of the trade that surround us.
Beekeeping is a full-time pursuit. With seasonal tasks, the shepherd’s hut acts as a base for year-round activities. “During winter, I plan for the next beekeeping season, deciding what equipment will be needed, then order/assemble/repair as required, which means many hours in the hut, spread over a number of days,” explains Jeff.
“From early April to the end of September the hives need inspecting frequently, and the hut is my base for these inspections, with everything I need close to the apiary.
“Working in the hut is a pleasure. I have a small electric heater to keep me cosy in cold weather, and double stable doors provide various opening options when it's warmer. Another bonus is its elevated height, which means I can enjoy an extended view of the surrounding countryside.”
Jeff’s passion for his endeavour is supported by Anne, his wife, who knows more about the craft than she might admit.
“When I first took up beekeeping, my wife Anne said, ‘Jeff, it’s your hobby, not mine,’ but she will happily come and help if I ask,” says Jeff. “I’ve learnt a lot from watching talks and lectures all over the world (the power of Zoom), and when friends ask questions at supper parties, Anne is often the first to answer! She has learnt a lot through my passion for the hobby and will help me when I need it. She knows a lot more than she lets on – she pays attention but enjoys being on the periphery. She’s very supportive of the whole thing.”
At the close of our time with Jeff and Anne, we’re lucky enough to see their beekeeping in action.
On a sunny June day, the shepherd’s hut peeking through the orchard in our path of view, it’s clear the pair are deeply connected to their work. They move in harmony as they tend to the hives – Anne taking notes as Jeff inspects the colonies. Their dedication for their honey-coated friends shines through, and make our afternoon something quite magical. And to think, if that swarm hadn’t passed through their garden all those years ago, none of this might have been.
We leave with one final question for Jeff. “What do you love most about beekeeping?”
He emits a happy, contented sigh, and follows with a response –
“It’s full of surprises. You read all the books, watch all the lectures, and you learn all the things – but the problem is, the bees haven’t read the books! You learn to expect the unexpected.
“On some occasions it’ll go to plan, but often it’s ‘Oh, I wasn’t expecting that.’ There’s lots of thinking on the spot, and quite often, I’ll go for a cup of tea and think about it. Sometimes it’s good surprises; sometimes it’s complicated ones, but it always keeps you on your toes. It’s a very satisfying thing to pursue and has many dimensions, and keeps me physically and mentally fit. The world has a shortage of pollinators, and I want to do my part to help.”
- Jeff and Anne, Homestead Hut Owners
- Photos by Claire Williams
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