Congratulations to Megan Seymour who has been appointed as the new Regional Bee Inspector for Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
She takes the place of Simon Jones who has stepped down after spending the last 12 years helping the region’s beekeepers.
Megan said in an email to members: “I am sure you will join me in wishing him all the best with his future pursuits.”
She explained that there have been a number of changes of staff within the National Bee Unit over the last year and recruitment is still ongoing for replacement staff. “Therefore, please bear with us if you see an unfamiliar name in an e-mail from one of us or get called by a new bee inspector.
We welcome Cathy Mudge in South Devon who will largely be covering Martin Hann’s old area (for those that know it) and will be accompanying other members of the team while she is being trained. There will be large parts of Somerset that will be covered by several of us while we adjust to no longer having Simon and to changes in the adjacent regions.
My old ‘patch’ of North Somerset and Avon will mainly be covered by Western Region Inspectors, with Jon Axe being the Regional Bee Inspector for that area. His contact details are: [email protected] mobile: 07867 151641. However, we will be working closely together to cover any problems so either one of us will do!
Please feel free to contact me via e-mail, WhatsApp or text using the information below.
Once we are all back in April, you can find your local Inspector here although there will still be changes during that month:  https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/public/Contacts/contacts.cfm
Megan Seymour
Regional Bee Inspector for Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
National Bee Unit
Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
e-mail: [email protected]
M. 07775 119475
Photo: A frame of pepperpot brood with chewed cell cappings © Crown copyright 

Stewart Gould from Ditcheat near Shepton Mallet is the winner of the greatest honour Somerset Beekeepers’ Association can bestow in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the craft.
He was presented with the magnificent West Country Honey Farms Award at the Association’s annual meeting by Joe King, Chair of the Award committee.
Stewart, who is Chair of Somerset Beekeepers and has previously been the editor of the year book and newsletter, has made a major contribution to beekeeping at a county and a local level.
Eric Mclaughlin, Chair of Somerton beekeepers, said in the award citation that during lockdown Stewart had opened up their new beekeepers’ course to people across the county and further afield: “There were over 90 participants for the Zoom sessions followed by successful practical sessions for the 30 allowed by Covid regulations at the time.”
He praised Stewart’s drive and determination which led to Somerton division getting its own apiary and for organising bulk purchase schemes to help members get the best price for a range of beekeeping essentials.