From a to Bee

James Dearsley's wife thought he had lost his mind when he announced his intention to become a beekeeper. But like many interested in the self-sufficient lifestyle, he loved gardening and growing vegetables on his allotment and the old romantic in him had idealistic notions of teaching his little boy where honey came from, so he set himself what seemed a reasonable goal: to get, in a year's time, just one jar of honey.

Also known as 'The Surrey Beekeeper', Dearsley started the Beginner Beekeeper's page on Facebook--now the biggest online community of beekeepers--and has also released a beekeeping DVD.