There was a perceptible buzz amongst Probus members when President Patrick Jones welcomed beekeeper Paul Eades as guest speaker at its latest meeting at The Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth.

Paul, a farmer’s son, is originally from Shropshire before the family moved to Wales in 1965. Professionally he has worked in financial services in local government, specialising in Insurance, Risk Management and Business Continuity for over 30 years, retiring in 2022.

Paul is chairman of Pembrokeshire Beekeepers Association, the second largest in Wales and is the Association’s Apiary Manager based at Scolton Manor.

Paul explained the roles played by the queen, the worker bees and the drones and revealed that bees’ services are worth £200 million a year to the UK economy. Globally their contribution is worth £124 billion. The honey is worth £30 million in the UK alone. Pollination would cost £1 billion if the task was carried out by people.

Sadly, there is a worldwide reduction in the numbers of honeybee which will become a serious problem if not reversed. There is no single reason but a multitude of causes.

Herbicides and insecticides play a part in the decline but also of concern is the occurrence of American and European Foul Brood diseases of the honeybee larvae caused by a spore forming bacterium. Infection begins when food contaminated with the spores, is fed to the larvae by nurse bees. The number of spores multiply rapidly, quickly killing the larvae.

Varroa Destructor Mite is one of the most damaging parasites and can cause the death of a honeybee colony. It is very difficult to combat, and its numbers appear to be increasing. In addition, owing to global warming there is an emerging threat from the Asian Hornet - especially in the South of England where these insects have arrived after hitching a ride aboard continental ferries. There are treatments but the problem is becoming increasingly difficult for beekeepers.

At the end of his talk, Paul was bombarded with questions - a clear indication of the interest he had engendered amongst members. A vote of thanks was given by Ken Morgan.

Probus is a local, national and international association of, mostly retired, gentlemen (initially PROfessional and BUSiness) who come together in a non-political, non-sectarian, non-profit making, autonomous club which provides regular opportunities for members to meet others in similar circumstances with shared levels of interest. The Club provides opportunities for making new friends and maintaining and expanding members’ interests.

The next meeting of the Club takes place on September 25 at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel at 12.30pm. Anyone who would like to join them is invited to call Patrick Jones on 07846 660904.