The Early Years
The Waites Household has for most of its time been home to a menagerie
of various creatures mostly of the kind the has multiple legs, eyes, wings
etc……
Where this interest comes from we don't really know. The family history
is a farming background so perhaps it is in our blood to have a outdoor
streak and a liking for company of our fellow animals.
Paul has always been fascinated by the creatures that share his world, not your usual dogs or cats but as he says;" if you open your eyes and look around you at the wonderful and diverse things around you" then you'll guess the kinds of creatures that he likes: For example he has since a youngster bred many species of stick-insect, kept ants, and worms, and many other creatures. And yes we have got very understanding parents.
And as for John: Well his room has been (much to the disgust of district
nurses etc) the dwelling of many a hissing cockroach, giant african land
snail and stick insect over the years. Even today we often spend many
a pleasant summers evening with a mercury vapour lamp catching moths.
(Pauls personal favourite moth was the Indian moon moths that we used
to breed. Beautiful giant lime green moths with long trailing tails from
their hind wings).
A giant prickly stick-insect + Paul in the early nineties
Paul has always wanted to keep bees and decided that he wanted more of a challenge: So I guess that it was bound to be a natural progression. In 1997 Paul attended an introductory beekeepers course run by the York and district Beekeepers Society. He was hooked.
Two hives were bought from a retiring Beekeeper, and by the year 2000,
swarms had come and gone, three permanant hives had been established in
a purpose built apiary in the back garden of the family home. Some honey
had been collected and the hobby was becoming serious!