Honeybees are dying and risk extinction in Europe.
The objective of this site is to inform the general public about bee-keeping and to raise awareness of the need to protect honeybees as they face a plethora of threats. The original version of this site is also available in French at https://www.ruchette.fr.
Meet the bee-keeper
Richard lives in a small town called Sathonay Camp in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. He is an amateur bee-keeper originally from the United Kingdom. He moved to this magnificent region of France in 2004 and a few years ago he decided take up bee-keeping, a long held interest aroused by both his and curiosity of these magical insects and a wish to help to protect the environment.
Bee-keeping is a passionate hobby or profession that enables one to be in contact with nature and the seasons. The seasons, the environment, the vegetation, flowers and the weather – everything is linked. Fortunately our great planet, along with the sun and the rest of the cosmos furnishes all of these things and understating them all is a part of successful bee-keeping. It is therefore fortunate that Richard is holds a diploma in astrophysics and is a keen astronomer. We can say that his two hobbies gel well together and help to provide a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Here are a few links to some local press articles.
Article – Le Progrès 12/02/2018 (in French)
Article Bulletin Municipale 01/2018 (in French)
Article – Le Progrès 28/07/2019 (in French)
His apiary can be found in the small town of Sathonay Camp just outside Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes region of France where, with the assistance of the local mayor, a dozen or so beehives have been installed.
Talk to him
Would you simply like to discuss about honey, honeybees or local flora and fauna?
Would you like to become a bee-keeper?
Would you like to know more about the role of bees on the environment?
Are you researcher or student and would like his opinions or return on his experience?
Are you looking for someone to give a presentation about honeybees or bee-keeping at a school , club or other non-profit association?
Contact Richard. He is open to anyone who wishes to protect the environment, sensitize the population to the plight of honeybees or to increase biodiversity.